Veterinary surgeon

On this page you will find information regarding how to apply for a Swedish veterinary licence or a so-called special permit. You will also find information regarding how to notify us if you plan to work here temporarily as a veterinarian and you are legally established to work as a veterinary surgeon in an EU/EEA-country, or Switzerland. You will also find information on how to apply for a specialist title.

Belonging to the Animal health staff

As a veterinary surgeon you belong to the Animal health staff, meaning that

  • the public is aware of your specific qualifications,
  • you must practice your profession in accordance to science and proven experience,
  • you take full personal responsibility of the treatments you carry out,
  • you must follow the requirements regarding your profession, such as keeping journals, issue certificates and confidentiality,
  • you must report suspicions that animals are not being kept or cared for in accordance with the Animal Welfare Legislation,
  • you must report suspicions of infectious diseases, such as salmonella and epizootics, but also other diseases,
  • you are under government supervision and you may be reported to the Veterinary Disciplinary Board for Animal Health Staff (Ansvarsnämnden för djurens hälso- och sjukvård).

As a principle, as a licensed veterinary surgeon you have the formal qualification to perform all examinations and treatments within the Animal health profession. However, you must only perform the examinations and treatments where you have the required skill and experience. It is your responsibility that treatments are per­formed and that they are in accor­dance with the legislation.

If you don’t have the actual skills you should not perform the treatment, even if you have the formal qualification. You are personally responsible for how you perform the treatments.

How you apply for a veterinary license

In order to become a licensed veterinarian in Sweden you need to have a degree in veterinary medicine. In addition to this degree, you also need the to have satisfying knowledge of the Swedish language, indicating that you are able to communicate with animal owners, keep veterinary medical journals in Swedish and understand the legislation related to your profession. Danish and Norwegian are considered equated to the Swedish language.

The application for a veterinary license is made electronically by using our e-service. You need to upload digital copies of your diplomas and other certificates. You may choose whether you want to scan your documents or submit photos of them. We must be able to read all the documents in the application in order to make our assessment. It is therefore important that the digital copies are clear and legible. If we consider the quality insufficient, you will need to resubmit the documents and then the processing time will be longer. You pay the application fee att the end of the application process by using either Visa or MasterCard.

Depending on where you studied veterinary medicine or what country issued your authorisation, the required documents for your application might differ. Follow the correct link below to find out what documents are required for your application.

Veterinary education in Sweden

The veterinary program is given by the Swedish University of Agriculture Sciences, SLU. The education lasts 5.5 years and provides broad skills in veterinary medicine and biology, as well as the ability to apply this knowledge in various forms of veterinary activities.

Veterinary education from abroad

Veterinary education in EU countries is regulated by an EU Directive. This Directive lays down guidelines for the education and also recognizes equivalent titles from other EU countries and from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The EU countries together with these three countries form the EES. This ensures that the various countries offer education of similar quality and content which allows free movement of veterinarians within the EES countries.

Degree in Veterinary Medicine from a university in an EU/EES-country or Switzerland

If you have a Degree in Veterinary Medicine from a university in an EU/EES-country or Switzerland, you have to submit the following documents during the application process:

  • A copy of your evidence of formal qualifications of veterinary surgeons (diploma). The evidence of formal qualifications should correspond to the list of approved evidence of formal qualifications of veterinary surgeons (see below).
  • If a member state issue an additional certificate complementing the diploma according to the list, you are required to submit this as well.
  • A ”letter of good standing”, a certificate from a competent authority showing that you have no disciplinary sanctions in your profession as a veterinary surgeon. This should not be older than three months. If your veterinary surgeons diploma was issued more recent than three months ago, the letter of good standing is not necessary.
  • A copy of your passport in case you are not a registered citizen in Sweden.
  • A proof that you have satisfying knowledge of the Swedish language. Danish and Norwegian are considered equated to the Swedish language.

You apply by using our internet service.

Please note that information you fill in is not saved in the form. This means that if you do not complete the application process during one session you will have to re-enter all the data and upload the required documents again.

The evidence of formal qualifications (diploma) should have the same name as in the Professional Qualifications Directive (2005/36/EC). You can find the latest consolidated version of the Annex V via this link:

Search for ”Evidence of formal qualifications of veterinary surgeons” to find the right chapter.

Certificates for Swedish language

There are no specific requirements regarding what a proof of satisfying knowledge of the Swedish language is. That is assessed in each individual case. Below are examples of what such proof can be:

  • A certificate of successful completion of a course in Swedish of at least level B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or equivalent.
  • A certificate of successful completion of course D in Swedish for immigrants (SFI) or similar education.
  • A proof of at least one year's previous professional experience in Sweden where the working language has been Swedish. Work experience outside of animal health care counts.
  • A copy of a certificate confirming that you have studied in Swedish. The education should cover at least one year. There is no requirement what subject was studied as long as the classes were given in Swedish.
  • A certificate of pass in Swedish for university studies (Tisus).
  • Grades in Swedish from a Swedish upper secondary school education.

If you have a Swedish upper secondary education but your veterinary degree is from another country than Sweden you must still prove your Swedish knowledge according to the above.

Exemptions from Swedish language

If you consider that you have specific reasons why you do not need sufficient knowledge of the Swedish language, you can apply for an exemption from that requirement while applying for a license.

There is no specific form to fill out when applying for an exemption. You can write an application that you upload instead of the certificate of knowledge in Swedish. We will then consider if your special reasons are sufficient to give you an exemption. Your application for exemption from the requirement for the necessary knowledge in Swedish must include:

  • A description of your special reasons for not being able to communicate with animal owners in Swedish, reading and writing your veterinary medical journals in Swedish and reading and understanding the Swedish legislation concerning animal health professionals.
  • A description of how you and your future employer together plan to ensure that you can communicate with animal owners.
  • A description of how you and your future employer together plan to ensure that your journals will be kept in Swedish.
  • How you will learn about the Swedish animal health care legislation.

Your future employer must certify that this plan will be implemented as described in the application.

Temporary provision of services

If you have a veterinary license from and are legally established in an EU/EES-country or Switzerland to work as a veterinarian, you can work temporarily in Sweden on your foreign qualifications. That means that you don´t need to apply for a Swedish veterinary license if you are only going to work here temporarily.

When you work here temporarily you are still part of the animal health staff and therefore subject to Swedish legislation.

Before the first time you intend to work in Sweden, you must notify the Swedish Board of Agriculture.

You need to send us the following documents with your notice:

  • a letter including your contact information and workplace in Sweden.
  • a certificate showing that you are legally established in a Member State to exercise the profession and that, at the time of issuance of the certificate, there was no ban, even temporarily, for you to practice as a veterinarian. This certificate must be issued by the competent authority of the Member State where you are established and should not be older than three months. You can submit either the original or a readable copy.
  • evidence of your professional qualifications (i.e. a copy of your diploma).
  • a copy of your passport.

Your temporary practice period will start from the date you notify us and last for 12 months. After 12 months you need to apply for a Swedish veterinary license or notify us again.

If you return to Sweden at a later date in order to work temporarily as a veterinarian, you need to notify the Swedish Board of Agriculture once a year, using our internet service, "Anmälan om tillfällig yrkesutövning som veterinär".

Degree in Veterinary Medicine from a university in a third country outside of EU/EES and Switzerland

In order to obtain a Swedish veterinary licence, your veterinary education must be at university level, cover at least five years and lead to you being allowed to practice the veterinary profession in the country where you have completed your education. In addition to your veterinary education, you need additional knowledge and experience to obtain a licence in Sweden. See the information below.

Swedish language

To be able to obtain a Swedish veterinary licence, you need to have the necessary knowledge of the Swedish language for the profession. There is no possibility to get an exemption from this. You do not need to have sufficient knowledge of Swedish to take the online training in Swedish statutes, to take the proficiency test or to receive a special permit, but to be able to obtain a licence you need to demonstrate Swedish language skills. Proof that you have the necessary knowledge of the Swedish language for the profession may, for example, be one of the following:

  • A certificate of successful completion of a course in Swedish of at least level B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or equivalent.
  • A certificate of successful completion of course D in Swedish for immigrants (SFI) or similar education.
  • A proof of at least one year's previous professional experience in Sweden where the working language has been Swedish. This means that work experience outside of animal health care also counts.
  • A copy of a certificate confirming that you have studied in Swedish. The education should cover at least one year. There is no requirement what subject was studied as long as the classes were given in Swedish.
  • A certificate of pass in Swedish for university studies (Tisus).
  • Grades in Swedish from a Swedish upper secondary school education.

How to receive a license

If you have a veterinary degree from a third country (i.e. a country outside the EU/EES or Switzerland), you can obtain a veterinary licence in one of the following ways.

If you have further education or research experience and long work experience

You can get a Swedish veterinary licence if, in addition to your veterinary education, you have

  • additional education or research experience in clinical veterinary medicine of at least two years,
  • at least eight years' experience as a clinical veterinarian,
  • necessary knowledge of the Swedish language, and
  • successfully completed the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s online training in Swedish legislation.
If you have a veterinary education accredited by EAEVE or AVBC

If your veterinary education was accredited by the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE) or the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC), you can obtain a veterinary licence if you

  • successfully complete the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s online training in Swedish legislation,
  • carry out an adjustment period during the time and to the extent decided by the Board of Agriculture, and
  • demonstrates that you have the necessary knowledge of the Swedish language for the profession. Please note that it is only after you have completed your adjustment period that you need to show knowledge of the Swedish language.
If you lack the sufficient additional experience or an accredited education

If you have a veterinary education from a third country, but do not meet any of the above requirements, you can choose one of the following two options:

1. Pass a two-year supplementary education for veterinarians from third countries (KUV) at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala. After you have received a decision from us, you need to apply to be admitted to the programme. You can find more information here:

2. Pass a proficiency test of veterinary knowledge, online training and go through an adjustment period. That means that you need to:

  • Conduct the proficiency test for foreign veterinarians at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala. The test is divided into a theoretical and a practical part. You can take the test in Swedish or English. The test is held once every semester and will be held for the first time in spring 2026. The test is subject to a fee. You can find more information about the test at slu.se.
  • Contact the Board of Agriculture in order to obtain a decision to carry out an adjustment period. The adjustment period will be set to the amount of time and scope, decided by the Board of Agriculture in each individual case.
  • Successfully complete the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s online training in Swedish legislation.
  • Prove that you have the necessary knowledge of the Swedish language for the profession. Please note that it is only after you have completed your adjustment period that you need to show knowledge of the Swedish language.

Adjustment period

During the adjustment period, you will work as a clinically active veterinarian on a special permit. You have the same duties and rights as a licensed veterinarian, with the difference that you must work as an employee in an animal health care practice where there is at least one other licensed veterinarian. You are personally responsible for finding a place to work during your adjustment period.

The adjustment period is usually one year, but differences in work experience and training can make the adjustment period longer or shorter. The adjustment period will be decided by the Swedish Board of Agriculture.

Completed additional training, proficiency test or adaptation period

Once you have met the requirements set out in your decision, you need to notify the Swedish Board of Agriculture so that we can proceed with your application process. Send the certificates that prove that you meet the requirements straight to:

Do not use our e-service and no not pay again for your application.

Rejection of your application

Your application for a Swedish veterinary license will be rejected if your education

  • is not a university education
  • does not cover at least five years
  • does not lead to a Degree in Veterinary Medicine in the country where your studied.

How to apply for a veterinary license

If you have a Degree in Veterinary Medicine from a university in a third country outside of EU/EES or Switzerland, you need to submit the following documents during the application process:

  • A copy of your diploma including an official document where all courses taken during the education are stated. This is usually called a “Diploma Supplement”. The diploma and supplement should be in the official language of your country.
  • A translation, made by an authorised translator, of the diploma and the supplement to either Swedish or English.
  • Certificates of experience of academic research or additional education in clinical veterinary medicin, if any.
  • A copy of your passport if you do not log in with e-ID.
  • A proof that you have satisfying knowledge of the Swedish language. You only need to submit documentation showing that you have the necessary knowledge of the Swedish language when you have sufficient documentation to obtain a licence. You do not need to submit certificates proving sufficient knowledge of the Swedish language when applying if you do not have further education or research experience and long work experience as described above. Danish and Norwegian are considered equated to the Swedish language.

You apply by using our internet service.

Apply through our internet service

Please note that information you fill in is not saved in the form. This means that if you do not complete the application process during one session you will have to re-enter all the data and upload the required documents again. Therefore, it is important that you have printed, filled out and scanned in your letter of permission before starting the application.

Special permit

If you have a veterinary licence from a third country and want to work temporarily as a veterinarian in Sweden, you need to have competence in a specific veterinary field. You can get a special permit to work as a veterinarian in Sweden for a maximum of six months at a time, provided that

  • you work as an employee in an establishment where at least one other licensed veterinarian works,
  • you have competence in a specific veterinary field, and
  • you have successfully completed the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s online training in Swedish legislation.

You apply for a special permit in our e-service. To the application you must attach

  • a copy of your diploma including an official document where all courses taken during the education are stated. This is usually called a “Diploma Supplement”. The diploma and supplement should be in the official language of your country
  • a translation, made by an authorised translator, of the diploma and the supplement to either Swedish or English
  • a certificate from one or more employers in Sweden that there is a need to hire you because you have expertise in a specific veterinary field and that they intend to hire or otherwise employ you
  • proof that you have successfully completed the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s online training in Swedish legislation.

Swedish specialist titles for veterinarians

A veterinarian needs to fulfil special requirements if he or she want to call themselves Swedish specialist of a certain branch of veterinary medicine.

Specialists are currently trained in diseases that afflict cats, dogs, horses, bovine animals, small ruminants, exotic pets and pigs. It is also possible to get a specialist title within the field of veterinary public health.

You apply to begin a specialist program with the Swedish Society of Veterinary Medicine (SVS). They have the application forms on their website and you submit the application to them.

A specialist program is to be carried out at an education facility approved by the Swedish Board of Agriculture and by an instructor approved by the SVS. The specialist program include both basic and special training. When you have completed your program you will be examined by an examiner appointed by the SVS.

You find details about various forms of specialist programs via the link below. However, this information is only available in Swedish. You can also contact the SVS directly to get more information.

If you do not have the right to practice veterinary medicine/the veterinary profession in Sweden

You are not allowed to practice veterinary medicine in Sweden unless you can claim the veterinarian title. You cannot practice the veterinary profession, i.e. examine or treat animals for money.

You are also not allowed to use a title or professional designation that gives the impression that you have a Swedish veterinary license or are in any other way authorised to perform the veterinary profession. If you violate this rule, you can be fined.

If you have a foreign veterinary degree, you may work in animal health care as a level 2 animal caregiver without a Swedish licence. You can find more information about this here:

You only need a Swedish licence as a veterinarian if you are going to work clinically in animal health care, for example at a clinic or animal hospital. This means that you can work in an administrative position where veterinary knowledge is required, but a Swedish licence is not necessary. Examples of such administrative work can be work at a public authority or at interest organisations related to animals.

Regulations

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Revision date: 2025-10-10