Educated outside the EU/EEA in a profession requiring a license

Swedish licence to practise

You can apply for a Swedish licence to practise from the National Board of Health and Welfare, the authority which sets the requirements for licences in healthcare in Sweden.

The National Board of Health and Welfare will review your foreign education and will tell you what you need to do to progress within the licensing process. Find out more about the application process and apply at the National Board of Health and Welfare’s website.

Apply for a licence (legitimation.socialstyrelsen.se)

Proficiency tests

To obtain a Swedish licence to practise, you must pass certain proficiency tests. These include theoretical and practical elements, and are carried out at various universities and colleges depending on the licensed profession.

The International Office can support you in your preparations for these tests. If you have trained for a profession other than doctor or nurse, the International Office can suggest study materials.

International Office

Preparations for doctors

Lund University arranges a course for doctors who are planning to take the National Board of Health and Welfare’s proficiency test. Admissions take place twice a year. Find out more and register at Lund University’s website. 

Preparing for the proficiency test for doctors - in Swedish (luvit.education.lu.se)

Preparations for nurses

Kristianstad University arranges a course for nurses who are planning to take the National Board of Health and Welfare’s proficiency test before applying for a Swedish licence to practise. Find out more and register at Kristianstad University’s website.

Preparatory course for nurses who have trained abroad - in Swedish (hkr.se)

Clinical training

After passing the proficiency test, you will have to carry out clinical training. Region Skåne offers clinical training with pay, subject to availability. This clinical training lasts for six months for doctors and three months for other licensed professions.

To pass your clinical training, you must carry out and pass certain tasks. The clinic where you complete your clinical training will use the National Board of Health and Welfare’s assessment template. 

In order to carry out clinical training at Region Skåne, you will need to meet the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare’s language requirements for a Swedish licence to practise.

Language requirements

In order to work in Swedish healthcare, you must have good knowledge of the Swedish language. Equivalent knowledge of Danish or Norwegian is also accepted.

Swedish language in healthcare

Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries

If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA, you will also need a work permit or the right to work in Sweden.

Work permit requirements (migrationsverket.se)