Do you want to immigrate to Sweden as a lawyer? They need skilled workers, and you can be able to build the future you want. Sweden is an amazing country for immigrants. You just need to be eligible and know the process. This Visa Library article explains how to immigrate and work in Sweden as a lawyer and is your guide.
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ToggleHow to immigrate to Sweden as a lawyer?
You must be a member of the Swedish Bar Association to immigrate and work in Sweden as a lawyer. There are two ways for you to immigrate and work in Sweden as a lawyer. The first one is to study for a law degree in Sweden and then apply for membership in the Swedish Bar Association. The second way is that you have studied abroad and got your degree there. In this case, you apply for recognition to get your degree recognized.
Apply for recognition of your degree
You need some requirements and pass a process to become a member of the Swedish Bar Association. First, you need a law degree from an approved law school or university. It must be equivalent to a Swedish law degree.
A law degree in Sweden is about 5 years or 3 years, and it is followed by a two-year MA program.
You must send your degree and supporting documents to Swedish officials. They assess them and determine whether you can immigrate to Sweden as a lawyer or not. If yes, you can continue the rest of the process, and if not, you must find another way.
You also need to get Swedish language fluency. Sweden’s legal system works primarily in Swedish, so you need language proficiency to understand and work in it. Moreover, you need language fluency to interact with ordinary people. English is common, but the majority of people speak Swedish.
If you get your degree abroad and are not in a foreign country, you must pass the Swedish Bar Exam to immigrate to Sweden as a lawyer. It consists of a written and oral part, and you need Swedish language fluency to pass it. It assesses your knowledge of Swedish law, and you must pass it to become a licensed lawyer in Sweden.
After you pass the exam, you must continue the stages with the Swedish Bar Association to become its member.
Study for a law degree in Sweden
The other way to immigrate to Sweden as a lawyer is to study for a law degree there. This is a guaranteed way to immigrate and work in Sweden as a lawyer, as the Swedish law degree is approved by the Swedish Bar Association. Also, you will get familiar with Swedish law, its process, and how it works.
The first step is to find a Swedish university or law school that offers a degree to international students. You must find the requirements and fulfill them. This is a sample of the requirements:
- Language fluency certificate
- Latest educational degree
- Transcripts.
- Recommendation from professors.
- Cover letter or SOP
- Etc.
Then apply to the university and wait for the results. If they approve your application, they will grant you an admission letter. Now you can apply for a Sweden student visa.
You must gather the supporting documents and apply to the Swedish immigration officials.
You must complete your studies and get your degree. Then you must pass the Bar exam and become a member of the Swedish Bar Association.
If you are a non-EU national, you need a work permit to work in Sweden as a lawyer. You must find a job with a Swedish employer and then apply for a work permit.
Requirements to immigrate to Sweden as a lawyer
The requirements to immigrate to Sweden as a lawyer depend on your nationality and the country you get your degree. The process is a bit different for EU and non-EU nationals. But you need these general items to immigrate to Sweden as a lawyer:
A law degree
You need a law degree to immigrate and work in Sweden as a lawyer. It might be from a verified university or law school in your home country, Sweden, or a foreign one. It must also be equivalent to a Swedish law degree, which is about five years.
Swedish language fluency
You must be fluent in Swedish to immigrate and work there as a lawyer. If you get your degree from a foreign country, you must pass the Bar Exam, which is in Swedish. Also, you need language fluency to learn about the Swedish law system and work with people and co-workers.
Passing the Swedish Bar Exam
One of the stages to immigrating and working in Sweden as a lawyer is to pass the Bar Exam. It assesses your knowledge of the Swedish law system and language fluency. You must study hard and pass it to become a lawyer in Sweden.
Swedish Bar Association membership
Everyone who wants to immigrate and work in Sweden as a lawyer must be a member of the Swedish Bar Association. You must pass the Bar Exam and apply to them to become a member.
You can learn more about how to become a member of the Swedish Bar Association from the above section.
A work permit
If you are a non-EU national, you need a work permit to work in Sweden as a lawyer. First, you must be eligible to work as a lawyer. Then you must apply for and receive a work permit.
You need a job offer from a Swedish employer to apply for a work permit. You, as a non-EU person, may not apply for a work permit on your own.
You must find an employer willing to hire you and then sign an employment contract with him/her. Then submit the supporting documents to receive a work permit.
Required certificates to immigrate to Sweden as a lawyer
You need these certificates to immigrate to Sweden as a lawyer:
A law degree
You need a law degree to immigrate and work in Sweden as a lawyer. You can get it from Sweden, your home country, or a foreign one. But it must be valid and approved by the county’s officials.
Accredited Legal Professional
If you get your degree in a foreign country, you must have an Accredited Legal Professional. It indicates that you can work as a lawyer in that country. It also verifies that you have obeyed the rules and regulations and are a verified lawyer.
Membership with the Swedish Bar Association
Everyone who wants to immigrate and work in Sweden as a lawyer must register with the Swedish Bar Association and become its member.
A license from the Swedish Bar Association
You need a membership with the Swedish Bar Association to work as a lawyer there. The membership works like a certificate, but you might have to get another certificate from them.
Sweden visa for immigrant lawyers
You might need a visa to enter Sweden during the process of immigration to Sweden as a lawyer. This section informs you about the visa options for lawyers. You have to pick and apply for the right visa to enter Sweden. A wrong visa application will lead to rejection.
Sweden work visa
If you are from a non-EU country, you need a work visa and a work permit to work in Sweden as a lawyer. You must get a work permit before you receive a work visa. Only a Swedish employer can apply for a work permit, so you must find an employer willing to hire you as a lawyer.
You can find a job as a lawyer in different ways. You can look for a position through the websites that advertise job positions there or get help from recruiter agencies. Look at the below section to learn about these websites and agencies.
After you find a job, the employer and lawyer must sign an employment contract. Then, the employer applies for a work permit, and after issuance, you can apply for a work visa.
Sweden tourist visa
Look at your nationality. Are you from a non-EU country? If yes, you might need a visa to enter Sweden. Some non-EU countries are exempt from a visa to enter Europe and Sweden. If you are a national of these countries and have a passport, you can move to Sweden with your passport and stay for some time. But you may not work. If you need to visit Sweden during the recognition process or find a job, this privilege can help you.
Can a foreigner become a lawyer in Sweden?
Yes, a foreign person can immigrate and work in Sweden as a lawyer. You can become a lawyer in Sweden if you are eligible and can meet the qualification principles. Look at the above section to know the requirements.
There are two ways for you to become a lawyer in Sweden. The first one is that you get your degree from a foreign country, then apply for recognition of your documents. Then you must pass the Bar Exam and become a member of the Swedish Bar Association.
The other way is to study for a law degree in Sweden. You must find a university and then get admission to it. Then you must apply for a Sweden student visa.
Is law taught in English in Sweden?
Yes, the law is taught in English in Sweden at some universities and for some courses. Some Swedish universities offer an English law degree to attract and bring international students. The Swedish government wants to attract higher international students to improve the education system and income. You can find universities that offer English law courses, but the competition is tough for them.
But you should know that most of the law degrees are taught in Swedish. The legal system primarily operates in the Swedish language. Although English is common, most people speak Swedish. Understanding and communicating legal and law terms require Swedish language fluency. You should know Swedish to work as a lawyer with co-workers and Swedish people. But knowing English is an advantage.
If you are serious and want to study an English law program, you must do research and find one. You’d better determine the exact requirement and fulfill all of them. As the competition is tough and so many applicants want to get admission, you’d better improve your conditions, particularly your English scores.
As you will look for an English law degree or after you get admission and begin your studies, you’d better work on your Swedish language fluency and improve it.
How long does it take to become a lawyer in Sweden?
The processing time depends on your conditions and how you pick to immigrate to Sweden as a lawyer. If you want to study for a law degree there, it takes about 5 years to complete it. Then you must pass the Bar Exam to become a member of the Swedish Bar Association. You should also consider the time you need to work on your Swedish language fluency and get admission to the university.
If you have already got your degree and want to pass the recognition process, it could take up to 1-2 years. It takes you time to gather the documents and translate them into Swedish. Then you must wait for the processing by Swedish officials, which could take up to a few months. Then you must prepare yourself for the Bar Exam, pass it, and register with the Swedish Bar Association. If you are a non-EU national, you must find a job that could take time and apply for a work permit.
Related jobs for immigrant lawyers in Sweden
There are various job positions and titles on every occasion, so it is with lawyers. You can immigrate and work in Sweden in different occupations. This section brings you some of the related jobs for an immigrant lawyer in Sweden.
Whether you can get a job in them depends on your education, work experience, qualification, language fluency, and the demand. There must be a vacant, and the employer needs someone to fill it.
You should get work experience and improve your resume to be able to get a position in one of them. If you see these job titles on websites that advertise job positions in Sweden, read the requirements. Job description, tasks, and responsibilities.
- Legal Consultant/Advisor
- Corporate Counsel
- Legal Researcher/Writer
- Government Lawyer
- Policy Analyst/Advisor
- Compliance Officer
- Mediator/Arbitrator
- Legal Academia
Lawyers’ salaries in Sweden
Your salary as a lawyer in Sweden depends on various items and elements:
- Work experience
- Education
- Language fluency
- The position you have
- Tasks and responsibilities
- Etc.
This section brings you an average salary of a lawyer in Sweden so you can plan for your future.
According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a lawyer in Sweden is about SEK 127,312 per month.
According to Salary Explorer, an average lawyer earns about 88,000 SEK per month. While the lowest salary is about 0,500 SEK, the highest income is about 140,000 SEK.
According to World Salaries, the average annual salary is about 1,105,600 SEK, the lowest annual salary is about 596,800 SEK, but the highest annual salary is about 1,668,900 SEK.
The above figures are a rough estimate of the average salary of a lawyer in Sweden. The exact amount depends on many factors, as explained above. One time that determines your income, your bargaining ability, and skills.
Where can you work as an immigrant lawyer in Sweden?
There are different places for lawyers to work. So it is with the lawyers who immigrate to Sweden. You’d better know these places and find more information about them. For instance, you can learn what requirements you need to work in them, and that is the standard language fluency. If they need special work experience, you have it or not. You must have heard that “knowledge is power.” the more information you gather about your destination, you will be able to find a job and work effectively.
Also, you might be able to find vacancies with these places on their website. You can find people who work in them on LinkedIn and gather further information about the hiring or working process.
- Law Firms
- Corporate Legal Departments
- Government Agencies
- Public Interest Organizations
- Academia
- Judiciary
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Legal Consulting
- International Organizations
- Legal Technology and Legal Startups
These are just some of the many possible work settings for lawyers in Swede. The choice of where to work often depends on your preferences, expertise, career goals, and the demand in the legal market. You’d better keep up the good hard work and look for a job.
Are lawyers in demand in Sweden?
Sweden needs skilled workers, but answering the question of whether lawyers are in demand there can be a bit tricky. The demand depends on your skills, the job market, and a few other ones.
Many large law firms and corporations are located in larger cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. The demand trend for lawyers is higher in these large cities. So you’d better check and keep up with the job market in these cities.
The required law field in large cities includes; corporate law, commercial law, intellectual property law, and employment law.
There are a few fields emerging due to global challenges and new legal frameworks. The samples are:
- technology law
- intellectual property law,
- environmental law,
- international law
The demand for lawyers in Sweden falls and downs to economic conditions, the legal market status, and other factors that might not be in your control. You’d better keep up with the latest trends, networking opportunities, market developments, and updates to know what’s going on. You’d better make wise and informed career decisions by the current situation to save time and effort.
Legal degree types in Sweden
As explained, one of the ways to immigrate and work in Sweden as a lawyer is to study for a degree there. First, you must find a university that offers a legal course to international students. Then, you must determine the requirements and fulfill them. You have to apply to the university and wait for the results after that. If they agree and approve your application, they will grant you an admission letter. Now you can apply for a Sweden student visa.
These are some of the subjects you can study in Sweden:
- Master of Laws
- Bachelor of Laws
- Master of Legal Studies
- Doctor of Judicial Science
- Master of Dispute Resolution
- Juris Doctor
But the degree you study must let you work as a lawyer in Sweden. You’d better read the university website and all the provided information carefully. You can also contact the admission or law department and ask questions about the future job prospects of this degree.
Best cities to immigrate and work in Sweden as a lawyer
Job positions for a lawyer are better and higher in large cities. Law firms, headquarters, and large companies are located in large cities. So you can find a job in Sweden better in large cities. You should know them and try to find a job as a lawyer in one of them. But you might be able to find a job in other cities.
- Stockholm.
- Gothenburg.
- Malmö.
- Uppsala.
- Upplands Väsby.
- Örebro.
- Linköping.
- Helsingborg.
- Jönköping.
- Norrköping.
- Lund
You can also search the law firms, companies, or centers you can work in the above cities. You can find companies and law firms that need lawyers. Contact them and find out if they have a vacancy.
There is another list of Swedish cities that you’d better know. It’s a popular city by visitors and tourists. People like these cities for a reason; good weather conditions, tourist attractions, nature, etc. If they are popular, there are facilities and companies providing services to people. So you can try your chance and see if you can find a job in one of them or not.
- Stockholm
- Gamla Stan
- Norrmalm
- Östermalm
- Södermalm
- Gothenburg
- Karlskrona
- Malmö
How to find a job in Sweden as a lawyer?
There are different ways to find a job in Sweden as a lawyer. It’s up to you and your conditions to use one of them and get the job.
One of the ways to find a job is to look for a position through websites that advertise job positions in Sweden. This is a list of them.
- CareerBuilder
- Blocket
- Jobbland
- Nyteknik
- Netjobs
- Indeed
- Jobisland
The second way is to get help from recruiters or employment agencies. They connect employers and employees, which in your case, lawyers. Here are some recruits to find a job in Sweden as a lawyer:
- Hays
- Academic Work
- Manpower
- Cornerstone
- Wise Professionals
- Beyondo
- Hammer & Hanborg
- Ecommerce Recruit
- Rubino Recruitment
- Finance Recruitment
You are not limited to the above ways and can use other ones to find a job. For instance, you can reach law firms or companies that you know need a lawyer. Moreover, you can connect with lawyers or people in your profession and build a network. They can inform you of the job positions and introduce you to employers.
Language requirement to immigrate to Sweden as a lawyer
As you learn through this page, there are two ways to immigrate to Sweden as a lawyer. The first one is to study for a law degree in Sweden. The language requirements in this way are up to the university, and you must fulfill them. It’s often Swedish, but there are law degrees in English, and you might be able to get admission from them.
The second way is when you get your degree abroad and must pass the Bar Exam. You need Swedish language fluency to pass it.
Either way, you need Swedish language fluency to pass the Bar Exam and become a member of the Swedish Bar Association.
Is it hard to immigrate to Sweden as a lawyer?
The process of immigration to Sweden as a lawyer needs a few requirements and passing a few stages. You can learn about them in detail in the section above. Each way has its pros and cons and difficulties. It’s up to your conditions to pick the appropriate one.
But answering this question depends on many factors and especially your mindset, career goal, current conditions, and skills and abilities. You should determine whether it’s worth the hard work and dedicating the time to become a lawyer in Sweden.
If you get your degree abroad, you must work on your Swedish language fluency and pass the recognition and the Bar Exam. Then you must find a john and apply for a work permit.
If you do not have a legal degree, you must apply to a Swedish university and get admission. Then you must apply for a student visa. It takes you about 5 years to complete the degree. Then you must pass the bar exam and become a member of the Swedish Bar Association.
This process could take you time, money, and effort. So you should determine your goals and what you want to do with your life to answer whether it’s hard.
Required personal skills to become a lawyer in Sweden
You must find a job to work in Sweden as a lawyer. If you are a non-EU national, you need a work permit to work in Sweden. So finding a job is essential. You should persuade and employer to hire you. They look for various features besides qualifications and work experience. Personal skills are one of these features that you’d better have.
As a lawyer, you’d better have these personal skills, which help you a lot during the process.
The first one is analytical and research skills. You will rely mostly on research into a topic or case. You should be able to analyze details, information, claims by witnesses and clients, and other important subjects. You have to deal with documents and figures, so you need this skill to get the results out of it.
The next skill is attention to detail. No matter where and in which profession you work. Focusing on detail is required. If you miss one point, the whole case might be lost. So you should care and focus on details no matter how small and unimportant they are.
You also need good organizational skills. You must keep a record of documents, client files, and other items you gather. You can come up with your way of organizing items or ask a friend. But organization is essential as you will be dealing with a few clients, and managing them can be tough. Excel and Google doc sheets can help you keep all of your files in organized way.
Your weapon as a lawyer is to talk and convince the judge or jury with it. So you need strong-effective persuasive communication. You must be able to relate to other people and convert the points to them clearly. You might have to learn some techniques to improve this skill as well.
The other skills that are helpful along the way are the interpersonal skills. You will work and deal with a wide and different range of people. It’d be better to learn to deal with all of them and manage your relationship with them. You must be able to interpret emotions and feelings and provide the support your clients need.
How to become a lawyer in Sweden?
If you get your degree in a foreign country, you must apply for recognition. You must send your degree and documents to Swedish officials and wait for the results. If they approve your degree and recognize it, you must pass the Bar Exam and become a member of the Swedish Bar Association.
You can become a lawyer in Sweden by studying for a degree there. You must find a university and get admission from them. Then you must apply for a Sweden student visa.
Let’s sum up lawyers’ immigration to Sweden
The Visa Library team brought you how to immigrate to Sweden as a lawyer through this guideline. You learned about the requirements, the process you must follow, and the eligibility principles and got answers to so many of your questions.
This article is a comprehensive guide to immigrating and working in Sweden as a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions about immigration to Sweden as a lawyer
Yes, you must get your degree recognized by Swedish Bar Association and pass the Bar Exam.
The recognition process takes about 1-2 years. But it takes you about 5 years to complete a law degree in Sweden.
They are free for Swedish citizens and EU/EEA nationals, but non-EU nationals have to pay tuition.
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