Obtaining a Pharmacist License in Sweden: Conditions, Documents, and More

What is obtaining a pharmacist license like in Sweden? Similar to obtaining a license for any other healthcare worker! We have already written about how dentists, medical nurses and technicians, radiology engineers, and medical laboratory technicians can obtain licenses. 

Here are a few basic things you should know:

• Obtaining a pharmacist license in Sweden has never been easier, especially for pharmacists from the European Union.
• Pharmacists who got educated outside the EU have to fulfill additional criteria before they can get a license.
• You probably already meet all the other criteria.

Below, find out exactly what the requirements are, which documents you need to submit, and what to expect from working and living in Sweden.

Pharmacists in Sweden – Interesting Facts

• Pharmacists in Sweden are called apotekare.
• There’s also a similar expression, receptarier, but it refers to people who have slightly less training than apotekare.
• The base pay for pharmacists in Stockholm is 35,000 – 41,000 SEK a month, which is between 3,111.94 and 3,645.42 EUR a month.
• It’s relatively easy for pharmacists to find jobs because the competition is low. The demand is the biggest in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö, where most pharmaceutical companies are located.

Obtaining a Pharmacist License in Sweden – Requirements

There are 3 basic requirements for obtaining a pharmacist license in Sweden:

• adequate and relevant education
• C1 level of Swedish or a related language, and
• in some cases, previous relevant work experience.

1. Adequate and Relevant Education

Like in other parts of the EU, you’ll need adequate and relevant education to obtain a pharmacist license in Sweden.

More specifically, you must have completed college and obtained a master’s degree in pharmacy.

As proof of this, you will have to attach a copy of your diploma as part of your application. We will talk more about the necessary documents below.

If you received all or most of your education outside the European Union, the competent authority in Sweden will probably further assess and verify that education.

2. C1 Level of Swedish or a Related Language

Another condition for obtaining a license for pharmacists is a completed C1 level of Swedish or a related language, specifically Norwegian or Danish. These languages ​​are like Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian – they are very similar, so one can adequately replace the other.

The C1 level of Swedish can be an adequate substitute for the C1 level of Norwegian or Danish; the C1 level of Norwegian or Danish can replace the C1 level of Swedish.

3. Work Experience (Sometimes)

As mentioned, pharmacists who were educated outside the European Union (for example, in Turkey or Serbia) must meet one additional requirement in addition to the already mentioned conditions – have previous relevant work experience in one of the member states.

The minimum is 3 years of relevant work experience within the European Union.

This requirement does not need to be met if you received your education within the EU!

Obtaining a Pharmacist License in Sweden – Necessary Documentation

To obtain a pharmacist license in Sweden, you’ll need the following documents:

1. A filled-out application form from the Swedish Medical Chamber website

2. A copy of a valid identity card or passport

3. An extract from the register of marriages translated into English or Swedish by a court interpreter (if your last name is different compared to the one on your documents)

4. A copy of the certificate of passing the C1 level of the Swedish language

5. Diploma with information about the university and master’s degree in pharmacy, translated into Swedish or English by a court interpreter

6. Certificate from the Chamber of Pharmacists in the home country (so-called Certificate of Good Standing) which claims that you have not committed professional mistakes and that you are allowed to practice your profession in your home country

• This certificate must also be translated into Swedish or English by a court interpreter.

• The certificate is valid for 3 months. If that period expires and you have not yet submitted everything to the Swedish Chamber, you will have to obtain a new one.

7. Certificate from the Chamber of Pharmacists (so-called EU certificate) stating that your acquired education is in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EG, namely Articles 44 and/or 23

8. Certificate from the faculty with a list of subjects you took during your education (diploma supplement) – must also be translated into Swedish or English by a court interpreter

9. Confirmation of the paid fee for document processing in the amount of SEK 870.00 (amount as of June 20, 2024)

Complete the C1 Level of Swedish in Zrinka’s Swedish School

Learn Swedish with our consultant for HR in healthcare, Zrinka Stanić. She has 13+ years of experience in teaching Swedish and multiple available courses for different levels of knowledge. Find the one that suits you perfectly!

As part of every course, you also get:

• additional materials,
• assignments,
• free consulting on getting hired and moving to Sweden.

Here’s what students say about Zrinka’s Swedish school:

“Since I wanted to work in Sweden, I started my Swedish course which went really smoothly. I didn’t find learning a new language difficult at all because it’s so easy to arrange everything with Zrinka. I’ve managed to learn and complete my C1 level of Swedish (…) within a year and 3 months. I have to admit that Zrinka prepared me well. The thing I liked the most was how the course was held since it allowed me to work and learn at the same time. I’m now happy employed in Sweden.”— Lucia Španjol Pandelo, doctor of medicine

“My goal was to work outside Croatia together with my family. I heard about Zrinka by asking around. I took the course in 2018. via Skype together with 2-3 more people who had the same goal as me, so I also got to know new people. What I liked the most was Zrinka’s approach and her openness. I successfully completed the B1 level.“ – Patricia Balić, medical laboratory technician

A1-B2 level courses are held both in real time via Skype or Zoom as well as via pre-recorded videos you can watch in your free time. C1-C2 courses are held exclusively in real time. Once you finish your course, you get a certificate. 

Check out the available courses.

Working and Living in Sweden

To give you a taste of what it’s like to live and work in Sweden, here are a few reviews from our candidates:

Investment in employees and good interpersonal relations: “What is definitely an advantage and important to emphasize is the excellent collegial relations and the possibility of cooperation with both the laboratory staff and fellow doctors. Working hours are flexible and can be adjusted to your own needs. Also, the hospital constantly invests in its employees through various educations, seminars, congresses, training, etc.” – Jasna, pathology specialist

🖥️ Advanced systems: “Sweden uses the most advanced, I can safely say in the whole world, digital system. All notes are also always available to the patients.” – Vladimir Ostojić, abdominal surgeon

💭 The mentality of the Swedes: “There is almost never, and maybe even literally never, nervousness and arguments at work… this is an unfamiliar concept to Swedes. Swedes are open, honest, and patient with us newcomers.” – Vladimir Ostojić, abdominal surgeon

Good working conditions and organization: “Everything is very well organized. The staff is divided into teams, and each team has an optimal number of patients. They try to make sure that no one is overloaded with work.” – Maja Marton, nurse

Workers’ rights: “Workers’ rights are respected, and all questions about changes related to working hours, wages, or difficulties at work are consulted with HR (Human Resources) in order to protect the employee.” – Sonja Škrinjarić, nurse

Apply for Zrinka’s Swedish School!

Did you know that you can learn Swedish for free with Zrinka? In that case, you will already need to have an arranged job with your chosen hospital, and the hospital will pay for your course instead of you. We’ll gladly give you more information about this option and help you get a job. Contact us. 

The other option is to start attending Zrinka’s Swedish school before you find a job, which will help increase your chances of getting the position and work conditions you want. Also, if you complete all the levels up to C1, you will satisfy one of the main requirements needed to work not only in Sweden but also in Denmark and Norway.

Open up a whole new specter of opportunities for yourself. Learn more about Zrinka’s Swedish school today.