Veterinary surgeon

On this page, you will find information on how to apply for a Swedish veterinary licence or a special permit. You can also learn how to notify us if you plan to work temporarily in Sweden and are legally established as a veterinary surgeon in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland. In addition, you will find information on applying for recognition as a veterinary specialist.

Working as an Animal Health Professional

As a veterinary surgeon, you are part of Sweden's animal health professions (djurhälsopersonalen).

This means that

the public can trust that you have the qualifications and professional competence required to practise the profession
you must practise your profession in accordance with science and proven experience, meaning evidence-based and professionally established practice
you are personally responsible for the examinations, treatments and other measures you carry out
you must comply with the professional obligations that apply to your profession, including maintaining veterinary medical records, issuing certificates, and observing confidentiality requirements
you are required to report any suspicion that animals are not being kept or cared for in accordance with animal welfare legislation
you are required to report suspected cases of notifiable animal diseases, such as salmonellosis and epizootic diseases, as well as certain other diseases
you are subject to supervision by public authorities and may be subject to disciplinary measures by the Veterinary Disciplinary Board for Animal Health Professionals (Ansvarsnämnden för djurens hälso- och sjukvård).

How to Apply for a Veterinary Licence

To obtain a veterinary licence in Sweden, you must hold a degree in veterinary medicine. In addition, you must have sufficient knowledge of Swedish to communicate effectively with animal owners, ensure that essential parts of veterinary medical records are documented in Swedish, and understand the legislation relevant to your profession. For this purpose, Danish and Norwegian are considered equivalent to Swedish.

Applications for a veterinary licence must be submitted electronically via our e-service. As part of your application, you will need to upload digital copies of your diplomas and other supporting documents. You may either scan your documents or upload photographs of them. All documents must be clear and legible to enable us to assess your application. If the quality of the uploaded documents is insufficient, you will be required to submit new copies, which may result in longer processing times.

The application fee is paid at the end of the application process using a Visa or MasterCard.

The documents required for your application depend on where you obtained your veterinary degree or the country in which you hold professional authorisation.

Veterinary education in Sweden

The veterinary degree programme is offered by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). The programme lasts 5.5 years and provides broad knowledge and practical skills in veterinary medicine and biology. It also prepares students to apply this knowledge in a wide range of professional veterinary roles and settings.

Veterinary Education Obtained Abroad

Veterinary education within the European Union is regulated by an EU Directive that establishes minimum training requirements and provides for the mutual recognition of veterinary qualifications. The Directive also recognises equivalent qualifications from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Together, the EU Member States and these three countries form the European Economic Area (EEA).

This framework helps ensure that veterinary education across the EEA is of a comparable standard in terms of quality and content, thereby facilitating the free movement of veterinary surgeons between EEA countries.

Degree in Veterinary Medicine from an EU/EEA Country or Switzerland

If you hold a degree in veterinary medicine from a university in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you must submit the following documents with your application:

A copy of your veterinary qualification (diploma). The qualification must correspond to one of the approved veterinary qualifications listed below.
If the country that issued your qualification requires an additional certificate to accompany the diploma in accordance with the list of approved qualifications, you must also submit a copy of that certificate.
A Letter of Good Standing issued by the competent authority in the country where you are authorised to practise. The certificate must confirm that you are not subject to any disciplinary sanctions as a veterinary surgeon. The document must not be more than three months old. If your veterinary qualification was issued within the last three months, a Letter of Good Standing is not required.
A copy of your passport if you are not registered as a Swedish citizen.
Documentation demonstrating sufficient knowledge of Swedish. Knowledge of Danish or Norwegian is considered equivalent to knowledge of Swedish.

Applications must be submitted through our e-service.

E-service: Application for a Licens or Authorisation as Animal Health Personnel

You can access the e‑service with or without an electronic identification (e‑ID), such as Mobile BankID or Freja eID. If you would like to obtain an e‑ID, please contact your bank or Freja eID.
Please note that some functions are not available when accessing the e‑service without an e‑ID.

For example, you cannot save a partially completed application. If you leave the e‑service before submitting your application, you will need to enter your information and upload the required documents again when you return.

Approved Veterinary Qualifications under EU Legislation

Your evidence of formal qualifications (diploma) must correspond to one of the veterinary qualifications listed in Annex V to the Professional Qualifications Directive (2005/36/EC).

The latest consolidated version of Annex V is available at this link:

Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications (eul-lex-europa.eu)

To find the relevant section, search for "Evidence of formal qualifications of veterinary surgeons" in the document.

Evidence of Swedish Language Proficiency

There are no specific requirements regarding the type of documentation that may be used to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of Swedish. Each application is assessed individually.

Examples of documentation that may be accepted include:

A certificate showing successful completion of a Swedish language course at CEFR level B1 or higher, or an equivalent qualification.
A certificate showing successful completion of Swedish for immigrants (SFI), course D, or an equivalent programme.
Documentation demonstrating at least one year of professional experience in Sweden where Swedish has been the primary working language. Professional experience outside the animal health sector may also be considered.
A certificate or transcript showing that you have completed at least one year of education conducted in Swedish. The field of study is not relevant, provided that the language of instruction was Swedish.
A certificate confirming a passing result in Tisus (Test in Swedish for University Studies).
Grades in Swedish from a Swedish upper secondary school (gymnasium).

If you have completed Swedish upper secondary education but obtained your veterinary qualification in another country, you must still provide documentation demonstrating your knowledge of Swedish. Examples of acceptable documentation are listed above.

Exemptions from the Swedish Language Requirement

If you believe that there are special circumstances which mean that you do not need to meet the requirement for sufficient knowledge of Swedish, you may apply for an exemption when submitting your application for a veterinary licence.

There is no separate application form for an exemption. Instead, you should upload a written statement explaining why you should be exempt from the language requirement rather than providing documentation of Swedish language proficiency. The Swedish Board of Agriculture will assess whether the reasons provided are sufficient to grant an exemption.

Your application for exemption must include:

A description of the special circumstances that mean you do not need to be able to communicate with animal owners in Swedish, maintain veterinary medical records in Swedish, or read and understand Swedish legislation governing animal health professionals.
A description of how you and your prospective employer will ensure that communication with animal owners can be carried out effectively.
A description of how you and your prospective employer will ensure that essential parts of veterinary medical records are documented in Swedish.
A description of how you will acquire the necessary knowledge of Swedish legislation relating to animal health professionals.

Temporary provision of services

If you are authorised to practise as a veterinary surgeon and are legally established in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you may provide veterinary services in Sweden on a temporary basis using your professional qualifications obtained abroad. In such cases, you do not need to apply for a Swedish veterinary licence.

When providing services temporarily in Sweden, you are considered part of Sweden's animal health professions (djurhälsopersonalen) and are therefore subject to Swedish legislation governing animal health professionals.

Before providing veterinary services in Sweden for the first time, you must notify the Swedish Board of Agriculture.

Your notification must be accompanied by the following documents:

A letter containing your contact details and information about your workplace in Sweden.
A certificate issued by the competent authority in the country where you are established, confirming that:
- you are legally established to practise as a veterinary surgeon
- you were not prohibited, even temporarily, from practising the profession at the time the certificate was issued

The certificate must not be more than three months old. You may submit either the original document or a legible copy.

Evidence of your professional qualifications (for example, a copy of your diploma).
A copy of your passport or other valid identity document.

Your right to provide services on a temporary basis is valid for 12 months from the date on which you submit your notification.

If you wish to continue providing veterinary services in Sweden after this period, you must either apply for a Swedish veterinary licence or submit a new notification for the temporary provision of services.

If you return to Sweden at a later date to work temporarily as a veterinary surgeon, you must submit a new notification each year using our e-service:

E-service: Notification of Temporary Provision of Veterinary Services (in Swedish)

Degree in Veterinary Medicine from a Third Country Outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland

To obtain a Swedish veterinary licence, your veterinary qualification must have been awarded by a recognised university, comprise at least five years of full-time study, and entitle you to practise as a veterinary surgeon in the country where you completed your education.

In addition to meeting these educational requirements, you must demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills required to practise veterinary medicine in Sweden. Depending on your qualifications and professional experience, you may need to complete additional steps and fulfil further requirements before a Swedish veterinary licence can be granted.

Please see the information below for details of the requirements and application process.

Swedish Language Proficiency

To obtain a Swedish veterinary licence, you must have sufficient knowledge of Swedish to practise the profession safely and effectively. Exemptions from this requirement are not granted.

You do not need to provide evidence of Swedish language proficiency in order to complete the online course in Swedish legislation, take the proficiency examination, or undertake an adaptation period. However, evidence of sufficient knowledge of Swedish must be submitted before a Swedish veterinary licence can be issued.

Examples of documentation that may be accepted as evidence of Swedish language proficiency include:

A certificate showing successful completion of a Swedish language course at CEFR level B1 or higher, or an equivalent qualification.
A certificate showing successful completion of Swedish for immigrants (SFI), course D, or an equivalent qualification.
Documentation demonstrating at least one year of professional experience in Sweden where Swedish has been the primary working language. Professional experience outside the animal health sector may also be taken into account.
A certificate or transcript showing that you have completed at least one year of education conducted in Swedish. The field of study is not relevant, provided that the language of instruction was Swedish.
A certificate confirming a passing result in Tisus (Test in Swedish for University Studies).
Grades in Swedish from a Swedish upper secondary school (gymnasium).

The Swedish Board of Agriculture assesses the documentation submitted in each individual case.

How to Obtain a Swedish Veterinary Licence

If you hold a veterinary qualification from a third country (a country outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland), there are different pathways to obtaining a Swedish veterinary licence. The route that applies to you depends on your qualifications and professional experience.

If you have Additional Qualifications and Extensive Professional Experience

You may be granted a Swedish veterinary licence if, in addition to your veterinary qualification, you have:

at least two years of additional education or research experience in clinical veterinary medicine,
at least eight years of professional experience working as a clinical veterinary surgeon,
sufficient knowledge of the Swedish language, and
successfully completed the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s online course in Swedish legislation.

If Your Veterinary Education Is Accredited by EAEVE or AVBC

If your veterinary programme is accredited by the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE) or the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC), you may be granted a Swedish veterinary licence if you:

successfully complete the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s online course in Swedish legislation,
complete an adaptation period of a duration and scope determined by the Swedish Board of Agriculture, and
demonstrate sufficient knowledge of Swedish for professional practice.

Please note that you are only required to provide evidence of your Swedish language proficiency after completing the adaptation period.

If You Do Not Meet the Requirements Described Above

If you hold a veterinary degree from a third country but do not meet the requirements described above, you can choose one of the following options:

Option 1: Supplementary veterinary education

Complete the two-year Supplementary Education for Veterinary Surgeons with Degrees from Third Countries (KUV) at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala.

Before applying to the programme, you must first receive a decision from the Swedish Board of Agriculture.

Supplementary education for veterinarians surgeons with degrees from third countries (slu.se)

Option 2: Proficiency test, adaptation period and online training

The route requires you to:

Pass the proficiency test for veterinary surgeons with foreign qualifications, administered by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala. The test is subject to a fee. Information about the test is available on SLU's website.
Apply to the Swedish Board of Agriculture for a decision regarding an adaptation period. The duration and scope of the adaptation period are determined individually.
Successfully complete the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s online training in Swedish legislation.
Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the Swedish language for the profession.

Please note that Swedish language proficiency only needs to be demonstrated after the adaptation period has been completed.

Adaptation period

During the adaptation period, you work as a clinically practising veterinary surgeon under a special permit.

You have the same rights and responsibilities as a licensed veterinary surgeon. However, you must work in an animal health care practice where there is at least one other licensed veterinary surgeon practising. During the adaptation period, you may not establish or operate your own veterinary practice.

You are responsible for arranging your own placement for the adaptation period.

An adaptation period is normally one year in length, but the duration may be longer or shorter depending on your education and professional experience. The final decision is made by the Swedish Board of Agriculture.

Online training in Swedish legislation

Depending on your qualifications, you may be required to complete the Swedish Board of Agriculture's online training in Swedish legislation.

You can access the course catalogue using either BankID or a username and password. If you need assistance creating an account, please contact us:

veterinarfragor@jordbruksverket.se

The training is available in Swedish and English and takes approximately eight hours to complete.

Course catalogue: Online training in Swedish legislation (utbildning.jordbruksverket.se)

After completing the required measures

Once you have completed the requirements specified in your decision, you must notify the Swedish Board of Agriculture and submit the documents showing that you have fulfilled the requirements.

Please send the relevant certificates to:

veterinarfragor@jordbruksverket.se.

Do not submit a new application through the e-service and do not pay a new application fee.

Rejection of your application

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

is not provided at university level,
is less than five years in duration, or
does not qualify you to practise as a veterinary surgeon in the country where you completed your education.

Applying for a Veterinary Licence with Qualifications from a Third Country

If you hold a degree in veterinary medicine from a university in a country outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, you must submit the following documents as part of your application:

A copy of your diploma, together with an official transcript or similar document listing all courses completed as part of your veterinary education. This document is often referred to as a Diploma Supplement. The diploma and transcript should be provided in the official language of the country where the qualification was obtained.
An authorised translation of the diploma and transcript into either Swedish or English.
Certificates documenting academic research experience and/or additional education in clinical veterinary medicine, if applicable.
A copy of your passport if you do not log in using an electronic identification (e-ID).
Documentation demonstrating sufficient knowledge of Swedish. Such documentation only needs to be submitted when you have provided sufficient qualifications and experience to be considered eligible for a licence. If you do not have any additional education, research experience or extensive professional experience as described above, you do not need to submit proof of Swedish language proficiency at this stage. Knowledge of Danish or Norwegian is considered equivalent to knowledge of Swedish.
Applications must be submitted through our e-service.

E-service: Application for a licence or approval of animal health staff

Apply through Our E-service

You can access the e-service with or without an electronic identification (e-ID), such as Mobile BankID or Freja eID. If you wish to obtain an e-ID, please contact your bank or Freja eID.

If you access the e-service without an e-ID, some functions will not be available. For example, you will not be able to save a partially completed application. If you do not submit your application during the same session, you will need to enter all information again and upload the required documents once more.

Special permit

A special permit may be granted for a maximum period of six months at a time, provided that:

you work in an animal health care practice where at least one other licensed veterinary surgeon is practising,
you can demonstrate expertise in a specific area of veterinary medicine, and
you have successfully completed the Swedish Board of Agriculture's online course in Swedish legislation.

You apply for a special permit through our e-service.

Your application must include:

a copy of your veterinary diploma and an official transcript or equivalent document showing the courses included in your education (often referred to as a Diploma Supplement). The documents should be submitted in the official language of the country where the qualification was awarded,
an authorised translation of the diploma and transcript into Swedish or English,
a certificate from one or more employers in Sweden confirming that there is a need for your expertise in a specific area of veterinary medicine and that they intend to employ or otherwise engage you, and
proof that you have successfully completed the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s online training in Swedish legislation.

E-service: Special permit

Swedish Specialist Qualifications for Veterinary Surgeons

Veterinary surgeons may obtain specialist approval in certain areas. In Sweden, the Swedish Veterinary Association (Sveriges Veterinärförbund, SVF) conducts the specialist training programmes, while the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) grants the official specialist designation.

To start a specialist training programme, you apply to the Veterinary Association and, after completing it, you submit an application to the Swedish Board of Agriculture for specialist approval. You apply through our e-service using the link below.

You may only use the title of specialist in Sweden if you have been granted specialist approval by the Swedish Board of Agriculture.

Information about Swedish specialist training programmes on the Swedish Veterinary Association’s website (svf.se)

E-tjänst: Application for Specialist Approval

Specialist Areas

Veterinary surgeon can be approved as specialists in the following areas (the Veterinary Association may not offer training for every listed area):

Diseases of dogs and cats
Diseases of horses
Diseases of cattle
Diseases of pigs
Diseases of small companion animals (pet rodents, rabbits, birds and reptiles)
Diseases of small ruminants (sheep and goats)
Veterinary public health

For “small companion animals” the term includes pet rodents, rabbits, birds and reptiles kept as companions. “Small ruminants” refers to sheep and goats.

Within diseases of dogs and cats and diseases of horses, a veterinary surgeon can also be approved as a specialist in specific subject areas.

Specific subject areas within diseases of dogs and cats:

Anaesthesiology
Behavioural science
Diagnostic imaging
Dermatology
Intensive care
Internal medicine
Cardiology
Surgery
Neurology
Nutrition
Odontology
Ophthalmology
Oncology
Orthopaedics
Reproduction

Specific subject areas within diseases of horses:

Anaesthesiology
Diagnostic imaging
Dermatology
Intensive care
Internal medicine
Cardiology
Surgery
Neurology
Nutrition
Odontology
Ophthalmology
Orthopaedics
Reproduction

Approval as a Specialist After Completing Training Abroad

If you have completed a specialist training programme abroad, you may be eligible to obtain specialist approval from the Swedish Board of Agriculture under certain conditions. Each application is assessed individually; however, the following criteria must be met:

You hold a Swedish veterinary licence.
The speciality is recognised in Sweden (i.e., it appears on one of the lists above).
The training programme corresponds to the Swedish programme in terms of structure, content and duration. This applies to most of the training programmes in the specialist subject areas for dogs and cats, respectively horses, that are organised by the EBVS (European Board of Veterinary Specialisation).

You do not need to hold a Swedish specialist approval in diseases of dogs and cats or diseases of horses to be approved as a specialist in a specific subject area.

If the training programme does not fully correspond to the Swedish programme, we may either reject your application or require supplementary measures to obtain approval. Such supplementary measures may involve completing parts of the Swedish specialist training programme that your training is missing or undertaking the examination that is part of the Swedish specialist programme.

In our regulations on specialist competence for veterinary surgeons (SJVFS 2025:21, C 25) there is information about what should be included in a specialist training programme, in general and for each specific subject area. Further information is available via the link below. The regulations are only available in Swedish.

If you do not have the right to practise the veterinary profession in Sweden

You are not allowed to practise veterinary medicine in Sweden unless you are entitled to use the title veterinary surgeon. 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 or level 3 veterinary assistant (djurvårdare) without a Swedish licence. You can find more information about this here:

Djurvårdare

You only need a Swedish licence as a veterinary surgeon 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.