License to practise
In order to practice medicine in Sweden you need to obtain a Swedish medical license. If you already have a license to practice from your country of residence, you can have it validated in Sweden. It is the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) that will assess your academic and clinical background. You also have to pass a theoretical and clinical proficiency test and undergo clinical training for 6 months. You can read all the details about the process on their website. You also need to have at least level C1 in the Swedish, Danish or Norwegian language before you can work in Sweden.
Recognition of specialist qualification
In Sweden, the clinical training of medical doctors towards specialist competence is the responsibility of the public health providers, i.e. the healthcare regions, not the universities. Specialty training (postgraduate training) is composed of hospital services in a subordinate position under full professional responsibility. Consequently, there are no courses at the faculty of medicine leading to a specialty degree. The current duration of the speciality training is in all specialities a minimum of 5,5 years which includes a mandatory introductory training period before the specialty training (minimum of 6 months).
If you already have a certificate of specialist qualification from your country, you will be required to undergo specialty training (ST) including the introdutory training for minimum of 1 year to receive a Swedish specialist certificate. The required lenght of your ST in Sweden depends on your achievements for the learning objectives in the Swedish specialty training and is assessed by the Head of the department and the superviser for your ST i Sweden.
You can then apply for a specialist certificate at Socialstyrelsen.
Learning Swedish
Practicing medicine also entails a responsibility to have sufficient knowledge of the Swedish language and to be familiar with Swedish legislation concerning the health care sector.
Courses designed for health care professionals
There are some language courses designed exclusively for healthcare personnel:
In Stockholm: Svenska för medicinsk personal
In Gothenburg: Intensivkurs svenska för vårdpersonal
In Lund: Intensivkurs för medicinsk personal
Swedish for immigrants (SFI)
Swedish for immigrants (SFI) is organised by the the municipalities. It is required that you have a residence permit and you have to be registered in the municipality. For further information about SFI, please contact your municipality.
Other alternatives
One of many private providers for language courses is Folkuniversitetet.
Immigration regulations
If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA and you want to study or work in Sweden, you will need a study or work permit. Swedish Migration Agency, Migrationsverket, will provide you with more information.