To make it possible for you to obtain your licence we need to assess your education you received abroad. We will determine whether it is equivalent to the Swedish educations level, length and content. After that you will receive a decision explaining whether you can proceed and how to take the next step.
Few foreign psychology degrees are equivalent to the Swedish psychotherapy programme
The Swedish psychotherapy programme differs from most foreign psychology programmes. As a result, only a small number of foreign degrees are considered comparable to the Swedish psychotherapy degree. This means that the likelihood of obtaining a licence as a psychotherapist, through Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare, is low.
When you apply to have your foreign education assessed in order to get a licence, you will receive a detailed evaluation of your foreign psychotherapy programme from the Swedish Council for Higher Education.
How to get your education assessed
You will need to submit an application if you would like your education to be assessed. Fill out an application form, send it to us along with several required documents and pay the application fee. Do not send your original documents. If we need to assess the original documents, we will notify you.
The application must contain
- an application form for assessment of education abroad
- a copy of the first page of your valid passport or a copy of your valid Swedish ID card
- receipt for payment (Submit an account statement or an image that shows that you have paid the application fee.).
Please also send copies of the following documents, in both the original language and translated to Swedish or English:
- a copy of a certificate of completed education, for example your diploma
- a copy of a certificate that lists the courses you took and how long the programme lasted (transcript)
- course syllabus
- diploma supplement
- a copy of a certificate that shows any changes you have made to your first or last name after completing the programme.
Pay the application fee when you send your application
The fee to apply for a licence is SEK 3 300. Deposit the fee to bank giro account 790‑3750 when submitting your application.
Include your Swedish personal identity number or coordination number (yyyymmddxxxx) in the message box without any hyphens or spaces.
If you do not have a Swedish social security number
If you do not have a Swedish social security number, you enter your coordination number in the format YYYYMMDDXXXX, i.e. without hyphens or spaces.
If you do not have a social security number or coordination number, you enter your date of birth in the format YYYYMMDD and your name in the format firstnamesurname, i.e. without hyphens or spaces.
Remember that even if someone else makes the payment for you, it is still your personal date that must be filled in (security nummer, coordination number or date of birth, and your name).
Payment in foreign currency or from foreign account
If you use another currency, make sure that you pay the exact amount in SEK. Keep in mind that exchange rates vary from day to day. If you send your payment from abroad, please send it to IBAN: SE3612000000012810104980, SWIFT: DABASESX.
After entering your application in our system, we will send a confirmation to any email address you have provided. Confirmation is sent via e-mail only.
Download and print the application form
Application form for assessment of education received outside the EU and EEA (pdf)
Send your application and all documents to:
Socialstyrelsen
Behörighet
106 30 Stockholm
You can also send your application by e-mail. All attachments must then be in PDF format.
socialstyrelsen@socialstyrelsen.se
How long does it take?
It normally takes about 3 months to have your education reviewed, but it may take longer if a special investigation is required in your case. We will send you an e-mail when we have made a decision.
Frequently asked questions
What is meant by secure e-mail?
If an e-mail message contains any personal information other than your name, we will send what is known as a confidential or encrypted message to you via e-mail. You will then receive an e-mail message containing a link. Click on the link to access your message.
You can open your message on a computer, mobile phone or other device. When you close the device, remember to log out from the message itself, and follow the instructions rather than closing by clicking on the X. This will allow you to open the message multiple times.
The message will remain accessible for 30 days. You can save the entire message and the attached file on your computer, mobile phone or other device.
What are the rules for translating documents?
Documents written in Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or English do not need to be translated. The translation can be done in any country. Translation means that a certified translator translates your documents to Swedish or English. The Swedish Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency (Kammarkollegiet) has a register of certified translators. The National Board of Health and Welfare also accepts translations from the Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen).
Do I need to know Swedish to apply to have my education assessed?
No. You do not need to know Swedish to have your education assessed (step 1). However, you need to be able to speak Swedish to pass several of the steps up to licence and you need to show your language skills with a certificate or grade at the latest when you apply for a licence.
What happens if I do not have all the documents?
If the situation in your country of education does not allow you to get the documents needed for your application you can still apply. If that is the case, you should submit the documents you have and an explanation why you cannot submit all the required documents.
If you do not have a graduate certificate or diploma, contact the Swedish Council for Higher Education (Universitets- och högskolerådet, UHR) and apply for a so-called Background Paper. Once you have this, please enclose it with your application to us.
What can I do while waiting on the decision?
Here are a few suggestions:
Does it cost something to obtain an assessment of your education?
Yes, the fee to apply for a licence is SEK 3 300.
Do I need a residence permit or have a Swedish personal identity number?
We do not require that you have a Swedish social security or coordination number, a residence permit or that you live in Sweden to have your education assessed (step 1). However, you need a Swedish social security or coordination number when it's time to apply for a licence (step 5).
In order to practice or go to school in Sweden you will have to obtain a residence or work permit from the Swedish Migration Board (Migrationsverket).
It is important that you notify us if you have updated your personal data, e.g. get a social security number or coordination number or change your name, so that we can update the information in the register for Healthcare professionals (HOSP).
Do you have questions about how to apply?
Telephone: 075-247 30 00
Telephone hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9–11
E-mail: fragoromansokan@socialstyrelsen.se
Do you have questions about your current application?
If you have submitted an application and have questions about your application, you can contact us. Always state your case number (diary number). During the summer, we have lower staffing, which results in longer response times to incoming questions.
Telephone: 075-247 30 00
Telephone hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9–11
E-mail: socialstyrelsen@socialstyrelsen.se