Working as a pharmacist in Sweden

In order to work as a pharmacist in the Swedish health care system, for example in pharmacies, hospital pharmacies and clinics, you are required to have a Swedish licence.

The licence is a guarantee that the person has the knowledge, skills and qualities required for the profession. The occupational title pharmacist is protected. This means that only those who have a licence may use the title.

A Swedish licence is not always required to work in the pharmaceutical industry and private companies. It is up to each employer to decide what requirements they place on the people they employ.

A pharmacist in Sweden has either a degree of Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (Receptarieexamen) or a degree of Master of Science in Pharmacy (Apotekarexamen).

If you have a foreign pharmaceutical degree and want to apply for a Swedish licence, you first need to show that you have the knowledge required to work in your profession in Sweden. You also need to know Swedish and know which laws and regulations apply in Swedish healthcare.

Different ways to a Swedish licence

There are two ways to obtain a Swedish licence for pharmacists with a foreign degree: a complementary programme or a proficiency test.

To get a licence as a "apotekare", you can use the proficiency test or the complementary programme.

In order to obtain licence as a “receptarie”, there is only the proficiency test that applies as there is no complementary programme.