Fancy a sauna on prescription? Sweden becomes the first country doctors can recommend for your health

Sweden has become the first country to frame international travel as a medical prescription, with Visit Sweden launching a research-backed initiative encouraging doctors to recommend activities such as saunas, cold-water plunges and forest walks to boost patient health and wellbeing

Forget pills – doctors could soon be telling patients to head to Sweden instead.

The Nordic nation, famed for its vast forests and clean air, is positioning itself as the “world’s first travel destination on prescription”. Patients from anywhere in the world can now download a medical referral from Visit Sweden to present to their GP, with doctors encouraged to recommend Swedish nature and lifestyle experiences as part of treatment to support better health and wellbeing.

For instance, patients could be sent to enjoy sauna in Lapland to improve sleep or prescribed a cold plunge in the Stockholm archipelago to boost circulation.

The initiative, called ‘The Swedish Prescription’, draws on new research highlighting the restorative power of nature, culture and social interaction – areas where Sweden consistently ranks among the world’s leaders.

The campaign is backed by a YouGov survey which found that most people had never heard of “nature prescriptions,” “social prescriptions” or “culture prescriptions.” Yet nearly two-thirds of respondents said they would be open to following such advice if it came from a doctor.

Dr Stacy Beller Stryer, Associate Medical Director at ParkRXAmerica, said the concept makes clinical sense. “Nature, social settings and culture have restorative powers, and evidently, Sweden has these assets in abundance. I would welcome discussing with my patients how Swedish nature and lifestyle could benefit their health – and am open to prescribing a visit there if my patients request it.”

Her view reflects a growing body of evidence. The World Health Organization has emphasised the role of natural environments in human health, while medical systems in several countries already trial forms of “green prescriptions”. These encourage patients to spend time outdoors as a way of reducing stress, combating depression and improving physical resilience.

Sweden wants to take the concept further. Visit Sweden has compiled a list of activities across the country that are both culturally authentic and scientifically supported for their health benefits. These range from forest hikes, open-water swimming and Nordic spa traditions to community-based cultural events and the country’s famed coffee-and-cake “fika” ritual.

The aim is to provide doctors with a credible set of recommendations they can discuss with patients. In theory, this could make travel to Sweden part of a legitimate treatment plan.

Dr Beller Stryer added: “We have made great strides in making nature prescription a more integral part of public health – but there is much more to be done. I welcome Sweden’s initiative and hope it will help break down institutional and organisational barriers, ultimately benefiting all patients.”

International indices regularly place the country near the top for its environmental quality, access to green space and lifestyle indicators. Visitors enjoy allemansrätten, the “right to roam,” which gives everyone free access to forests, lakes and much of the countryside. The country is also known for clean air, relatively cool summers and strong cultural infrastructure, from design museums to world-class music and art.

By tying these qualities directly to health outcomes, Sweden hopes to move beyond traditional tourism promotion and make a case for travel as medicine.

Susanne Andersson, CEO at Visit Sweden, said: “The Swedish lifestyle naturally promotes wellbeing – from the free access to our stunning forests and lakes, to the fresh air, cooler summers, wholesome fika breaks and our vibrant cultural life.”

Applications are now available through Visit Sweden’s website, which outlines activities, scientific background and practical guidance for doctors and patients.

READ MORE: ‘Wim Hof brought tears to my ice‘. Forget cold water therapy – there’s an altogether more relaxing way to embrace the benefits of bathing…without water of any kind, finds Scandinavian travel writer and author, Emma Strandberg

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_{Main image: Sweden, the world’s first country on prescription. Credit: Alexander Erdbeer/Visit Sweden}