23/10/2025
Sweden introduced “The Swedish Prescription,” the world’s first tourism initiative where doctors can prescribe country visits for patient wellbeing.
Visit Sweden’s campaign promotes evidence-based activities including forest walks, cycling, sauna sessions, and fika (coffee breaks) as stress relief and mental health support.
Senior Professor Yvonne Forsell from Karolinska Institutet reviewed the health benefits. The downloadable PDF prescription document allows patients to bring it to their GP, who can sign referrals recommending Swedish stays.
Visit Sweden emphasizes this is for prevention and stress relief, not clinical treatment, and doesn’t pay for travel. The campaign normalizes non-medical interventions like nature exposure.
