13. April 2026.
After graduating from medical school and nearly completing her specialization in family medicine in Croatia, Dr. Kristina Mećava made an important life decision: to try working and living abroad.
Although she was on a secure path toward a stable career within the domestic system, her desire for professional development, new experiences, and a different way of life prevailed.
This decision was the result of long reflection and a long-standing ambition to build at least part of her medical career outside Croatia. She also considered other options for going abroad, but in the end, Sweden prevailed.
Find out why she chose Sweden and how the employment and relocation process unfolded below.
The idea of working abroad was not new, as it had accompanied Dr. Mećava since her student days. She was driven by curiosity, ambition, and the desire to see what it’s like to work in a more developed system that allows physicians a broader scope of work, continuous professional development, and a balance with family life.
She discussed all of this with her now-husband, and the idea gradually matured.
As the years passed, the pandemic arrived, and Dr. Mećava was nearing the end of her specialization. She felt that the “right moment” had come. It became clear that moving abroad was a concrete goal they both truly wanted to achieve.
They decided to seriously begin the process of searching for their “place in the sun,” a place that would allow both personal and professional growth while also enabling Dr. Mećava to continue her specialization.
Dr. Mećava and her partner chose Sweden for two main reasons: quality of life and abundant professional opportunities.
“We also considered other countries. Germany, Austria, even Switzerland. However, Sweden attracted us for several reasons, especially the balance between private life and work. Their approach to children, young parents, and the family as a whole made a strong impression on me. That was one of the key factors.”
Family medicine in Sweden also holds a high position within the healthcare system. It is characterized by strong expertise, good organization, and high social prestige, which is reflected in the fact that family physicians are among the better-paid specialists.
Additionally, their scope of work is significantly broader than in Croatia. They perform gynecological examinations, monitor newborns from the first day of life, and carry out various diagnostic procedures such as ophthalmological microscopy, rhinoscopy, and rectoscopy. “In Croatia, some of these competencies formally exist, but in practice we often lack the time and adequate equipment to truly apply them,” says Dr. Mećava.
Despite many positive examples, there were also real concerns. Where to live, in a smaller town or a larger city? How to integrate into a completely new environment? How difficult would it be to learn the language while adapting to a new healthcare system?
What was especially concerning was how their son would grapple with the change and whether he would be happy.
Dr. Mećava realized there was no need to worry when she met Incor’s Zrinka at the Careers in White fair in Zagreb.
Incor helps healthcare professionals find employment in Sweden, and she immediately felt she was in the right place at the right time. She describes the meeting as an instant “click,” both professionally and personally.
She was able to openly share all her concerns and wishes and felt that someone finally understood both the Croatian and Swedish systems.
Incor handled much of the process, including documentation and translations, applications, communication with employers, licensing procedures, and finding accommodation.
They also connected her with doctors who had already gone through the same process, something she considers invaluable.
Dr. Mećava and her husband began learning Swedish through Zrinka’s language school, which includes both general and medical Swedish.
This was essential not only for integration but also because language proficiency is a requirement for employment and obtaining a medical license.
“The course was extremely well organized, the teachers were of a very high standard, and the program was structured in a way that gradually but systematically prepares you for working in the healthcare system,” says Dr. Mećava. The program is tailored to the specific needs of the medical profession and also introduces participants to Swedish culture and everyday life in order to facilitate their integration into the community.
Dr. Mećava emphasizes that a key role in the entire process was played by the financial support from the employer, which she obtained with Incor’s help. This allowed her to fully dedicate herself to learning the language without the burden of working simultaneously.
Thanks to this support and the quality of the program, Dr. Mećava now communicates professionally and confidently in Swedish.
“The application process was clear and structured: I would receive a job posting, review what was offered, submit my documentation and express my interest, and then Incor would organize a job interview,” says Dr. Mećava.
For the position in Ljusdal, which she ultimately accepted, the interview was conducted by five future colleagues. Dr. Mećava received all the key information in advance from Incor about the interview process, expectations, and the areas she should focus on. The interview itself was two-way: she presented her experience, interests, and goals, while the team explained how their hälsocentral (primary care center) operates.
Incor also communicated her wish to continue her specialization in family medicine in Sweden, not from the beginning, but by building on her existing competencies. “And they found a position that made that possible, which is not always easy to obtain.”
Although there was natural nervousness before the first interview, intensified by the fact that it was conducted in English, a sense of confidence prevailed thanks to thorough preparation.
“I had preparatory conversations with Zrinka before the interview, I received clear instructions and guidance on what to emphasize, what to focus on, and how to explain my situation. So yes, there was nervousness, but also a sense of confidence because I knew I was well prepared.”
Work in primary healthcare in Sweden is characterized by excellent organization and sufficient time for high-quality patient care, says Dr. Mećava.
As an ST doctor, she has 45 to 60 minutes per patient, including examination and documentation, with clearly allocated time for administration and telephone consultations. A senior on-call physician (bakjourläkare) is present daily to support residents and nurses and to handle urgent cases. In addition, a large portion of operational tasks is handled by well-trained and autonomous nurses and administrative staff, which further reduces the burden on physicians.
Collaboration with hospital colleagues is one of the most positive aspects. There are on-call specialists available for telephone consultations; communication is fast, pleasant, and nonjudgmental. Specialists are easily accessible, and responsibility for the patient is clearly defined. Hospital physicians manage diagnostics and treatment independently until the process is complete, including prescribing medications and ordering tests, after which the patient is returned to primary care. “This significantly reduces the administrative burden at the primary care level, which is a major difference compared to Croatia.”
The sick leave system further reduces the workload for physicians. Patients do not need to contact a doctor during the first seven days, and in simpler cases, sick leave can be extended by a nurse. Long-term sick leave can be issued for several months without frequent checkups, and the system is generally not abused. Medications are often prescribed for longer periods, with greater responsibility placed on patients for managing their own therapy.
Additional relief comes from the use of technology, such as the AI tool Tandem, which automatically generates medical documentation during consultations. “Although it requires verification, it significantly reduces administrative workload and allows the physician to focus more on the patient,” concludes Dr. Mećava.
Specialization in Sweden combines work in primary care centers with rotations through hospital departments, with clearly defined mandatory and elective components, says Dr. Mećava. Each resident has a mentor and a study director, and progress is continuously monitored through structured evaluations and documentation that is ultimately submitted to the Socialstyrelsen.
Unlike in Croatia, there is no final specialist exam. Instead, a Mid ST evaluation is conducted, during which an external specialist observes the work and provides detailed and timely feedback for potential improvements. Regular activities include supervision sessions, direct observation (medsittning), and monthly ST days for education and exchange of experiences.
Dr. Mećava also emphasizes that the Swedish healthcare system is highly flexible and allows for changing specialization. After many years in family medicine, she has been given the opportunity to specialize in ophthalmology. “In that decision, my husband fully supported me, and I will soon be taking that path.”
Despite initial fears, particularly stereotypes about “cold and distant” people, her experience of integration was completely the opposite. From the very first day, there was strong support from colleagues, and soon neighbors and the wider community became involved. Dr. Mećava emphasizes that today, “socially, we absolutely lack nothing except friends and family who remained in Croatia.”
The beginning was logistically and emotionally demanding, including a period without a car and life without family support. However, time has shown how possible adaptation is. “What seems impossible at the beginning eventually becomes the new normal.” Her husband’s integration was also natural and quick, especially through coworking environments and social activities.
The most challenging part was their son’s adjustment. In the first months, he struggled with change and nostalgia. This period was emotionally demanding for the entire family and raised the question, “Was this the right decision?”
Over time, the situation changed significantly. Their son learned the language, grew to love kindergarten, and built new routines and relationships. Today, a sense of stability and fulfillment prevails, along with the realization that adaptation has brought a higher quality and richer everyday life.
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