The information on this page applies to you as a trained doctor of medicine in a country outside the EU.
In Sweden, doctors of medicine have an exclusive right to practise their profession and the professional title is protected. This means that only a person who holds a licence to practise or a locum appointment is allowed to use the title and exercise the profession.
Applies to all
Step 1. Start by applying for an assessment of foreign training
Step 2. Show certified knowledge of the Swedish language
Step 3a. Pass a medical knowledge test
The purpose of the test is to ensure that you have basic medical knowledge equivalent to a person with a Swedish doctor of medicine degree. The test consists of a theoretical and a practical part.
Step 3b. Pass internship
The internship consists of at least 18 months of internship divided between different fields of practice. It concludes with a knowledge test.
Step 3. Pass probationary service
The probationary service consists of six consecutive months within the relevant field of practice. The objective is to assess your medical knowledge in relation to the knowledge needed to receive a Swedish licence to practise, your judgement, your way of relating to patients and your general aptitude as a doctor of medicine.
Step 4. Pass a course on Swedish medical legislation
The objective of the course is to make sure that doctors of medicine in Sweden have the necessary basic knowledge of the framework of Swedish society and of current legislation that applies to the profession.
Step 5. Submit a formal application for a licence to practise. You can do this only after points 1-4 above have been fulfilled.