What documents are legalized for Bulgarians working in Sweden

Sweden is one of the most popular European destinations for Bulgarian citizens seeking better professional opportunities, high social standards, and a stable living environment. Its strong economy, well-developed sectors such as healthcare, education, IT, engineering, and social services, combined with a balanced lifestyle, make the country attractive both to qualified specialists and to young people at the start of their careers.

However, simply having the necessary education and experience is not enough to start working in your field in Sweden. Your diplomas, qualifications, and certificates issued in Bulgaria must first be officially recognised and legalised in order to have legal validity before Swedish authorities and employers. This step is particularly crucial for regulated professions – such as doctors, teachers, engineers, and lawyers – where requirements are stricter.

In the following sections, we will look at which documents require legalisation, how the procedure works, which institutions are involved, and what the most common mistakes are. You will also find practical advice to help you successfully navigate the process and begin working in Sweden without unnecessary administrative hurdles.

1. What Does Legalisation of Documents Mean?

The legalisation of documents is an official administrative process that allows documents issued in Bulgaria to gain legal validity in another country – in this case, Sweden. It confirms their authenticity and reliability so that Swedish authorities and employers can accept them without hesitation.

The process includes several key steps:

• Notarial certification – confirms the authenticity of the signature and the content of the document. Usually required for powers of attorney, contracts, or copies of diplomas and certificates.
• Apostille – a special stamp affixed to official documents so that they are recognised in countries that are parties to the Hague Convention of 1961. Both Bulgaria and Sweden are members of this convention, which greatly simplifies the procedure – instead of complex consular legalisation, an apostille is sufficient.
• Translation – Swedish institutions usually require documents to be translated into Swedish or English. The translation must be carried out by a sworn translator to have official validity.

In short, legalisation acts as the “passport” of your documents. Without it, diplomas, qualifications, and certificates issued in Bulgaria will not be recognised in Sweden, and you will not be able to work in your profession.

2. Which Documents Need to Be Legalised for Work in Sweden?

Depending on whether your aim is to start working, continue your education, or practise a regulated profession, different Bulgarian documents may require legalisation. The most commonly requested include:

Secondary education diplomas

• Diploma of completed secondary education, together with the grade transcript.
• Usually required when applying for higher education or for professions where secondary education is the minimum requirement.

University diplomas

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral diplomas.
• Academic transcripts and supplements listing subjects studied and grades achieved.
• These are the main documents for working in your profession and for the recognition of your qualifications in Sweden.

Professional qualifications and certificates

• Certificates of completed specialisations, courses, or internships.
• Certificates proving professional skills (e.g., medical, technical, or pedagogical).
• Extremely important for regulated professions that require specific proof of competence.

Employment records and references

• Documents proving previous professional experience.
• References from employers, particularly relevant in healthcare, education, and engineering.

Personal (supporting) documents

• Birth certificate – sometimes required for identification.
• Certificate of name change – if there are discrepancies between names in different documents.
• Marriage certificate – if relevant to family rights (e.g., when applying for social benefits or family visas).

The list may expand depending on your profession and the requirements of your employer or the Swedish authority in charge. This is why it is essential to check in advance exactly which documents are required in your specific case.

3. The Legalisation Procedure in Bulgaria and Sweden

Although the legalisation process is not particularly complex, it does demand careful attention to detail and a clear understanding of the required steps. Before your documents can be recognised in Sweden, they must first be prepared in Bulgaria, and in some cases additional formalities will also be necessary once you arrive in Sweden.

In Bulgaria, the process often begins with notarial certification, especially for powers of attorney, contracts, or copies of diplomas and certificates. This step ensures that both the signature and the content of the document are officially verified. Once this is completed, an apostille is usually required. The responsibility for issuing apostilles is divided among different authorities depending on the type of document: the Ministry of Justice for notarial deeds and court documents, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for administrative papers, and the Ministry of Education and Science for diplomas and educational records. After this, the documents must be translated into Swedish or English. To carry legal weight, these translations must be carried out by a sworn translator, with particular care given to the accuracy of technical or professional terminology.

In Sweden, the process moves to the recognition stage. The Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) is the central authority for assessing diplomas for academic and professional purposes. However, if your profession is regulated – as is the case for doctors, healthcare professionals, or teachers – you will need to approach the relevant authority, such as Socialstyrelsen for medical fields or Skolverket for education. Beyond formal recognition, some professions also require registration in a professional body, while certain employers may request that translations be completed directly by a sworn translator based in Sweden.

In essence, the path to recognition can be summarised simply: in Bulgaria, documents must undergo notarial certification (when required), the placement of an apostille, and translation; in Sweden, they must then be submitted to the appropriate institution for recognition, which may also involve registration or further verification.

4. Recognition of Diplomas and Qualifications

Legalisation is only the first step. For Bulgarian citizens who want to practise their profession in Sweden, their documents must also go through a recognition process, during which Swedish authorities formally confirm the validity of diplomas and qualifications.

For those pursuing further education or wishing to use their diploma as proof of an academic degree, the process is handled by the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR). This institution is responsible for evaluating foreign diplomas and determining how they compare with the Swedish education system. Once the assessment is complete, successful candidates receive an official certificate of recognition, which can then be presented when applying to universities or even submitted directly to employers as evidence of academic standing.

When it comes to regulated professions, however, the process is more demanding. Recognition must be sought from the relevant professional authority. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals must apply through Socialstyrelsen; teachers and educators go through Skolverket; engineers and architects are assessed by recognised engineering organisations such as the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (Ingenjörsvetenskapsakademien); and lawyers must turn to the relevant legal institutions and bar associations.

In many of these cases, recognition involves more than simply presenting a diploma. Candidates may be required to pass a Swedish language proficiency test, complete additional courses or sit qualification exams, and in certain fields—particularly healthcare—undertake a period of supervised practical training in Sweden.

The difference between academic and professional recognition is therefore crucial. Academic recognition grants access to higher education and serves to validate your degree, whereas professional recognition is absolutely mandatory for those who intend to practise a regulated profession within Sweden.

5. Practical Tips and Common Mistakes

The process of legalising and recognising diplomas and qualifications for work in Sweden may seem purely administrative, but the right approach can save you time, money, and unnecessary complications.

Practical tips

1. Start early – the apostille, translations, and recognition procedure in Sweden can take months. It is advisable to begin at least 3–4 months before your planned start date.
2. Check the requirements in advance – different institutions and professions have specific conditions. For example, in the medical field, language exams and practical training are often mandatory.
3. Use sworn translators – translations into Swedish or English must be precise and professional. An inaccurate translation can lead to rejection.
4. Prepare several certified copies – you will often need to submit documents to more than one institution at the same time.

Common mistakes

1. Submitting documents without an apostille – they will not be recognised in Sweden.
2. Literal or inaccurate translations – terminology must be adapted to Swedish law and professional standards.
3. Using outdated documents – transcripts or certificates must be current.
4. Underestimating the timelines – the process can take longer than expected, especially for regulated professions.

6. When Is It Worth Seeking Help from an Intermediary or Specialised Agency?

While it is entirely possible to complete the process of legalising and recognising documents on your own, many applicants find that turning to a professional intermediary or specialised agency makes the journey considerably smoother. Professional support not only saves valuable time but also reduces stress and minimises the risk of errors that could delay or even block your application.

This type of assistance can be particularly useful in a number of scenarios. If you are working to tight deadlines—perhaps because you need to begin a job or a course of study within weeks—agencies can often accelerate the process through their established contacts. Similarly, if you are dealing with a large volume of documents, such as several diplomas, certificates, and accompanying records, outsourcing the translations and legalisation can prevent costly mistakes. The same applies in complex cases, especially in regulated professions, where recognition may involve additional exams, supervised training, or further confirmations. Even for those simply unfamiliar with the procedures, professional guidance can prevent incomplete applications and avoidable delays.

Specialised agencies typically take on the entire organisation of the process, starting with obtaining the apostille and continuing through to submission with the relevant Swedish authorities. They also provide sworn translations into Swedish and English, ensuring that the academic or professional terminology is used accurately. Many agencies will advise on which documents are essential and which, while not strictly required, may strengthen your application. They can also prepare multiple certified copies so that you are ready to submit to different institutions simultaneously, and they are well placed to support applicants in urgent or complex cases where deadlines are critical.

The benefits of such assistance are clear: you save time and effort, significantly reduce the risk of mistakes or rejections, and gain peace of mind that your documents will be properly accepted in Sweden. Most importantly, it allows you to focus your energy where it matters most—preparing for your new role or academic programme—instead of being bogged down in administrative formalities.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

In which language should the documents be translated?
Usually into Swedish or English. In some cases, employers and institutions require Swedish translations, especially for regulated professions.

How long does the recognition process take?
On average, between 1 and 3 months for academic recognition. For regulated professions, it may take up to 6 months or longer if additional exams or practical checks are required.

Can one diploma be used multiple times?
Yes. Once legalised and recognised, a diploma is permanently valid. However, supporting certificates (e.g. certificate of current status) have limited validity and must be renewed.

Is personal presence in Sweden necessary?
Not always. In most cases, the procedure can be completed through a representative or agency. However, for some professions (e.g. medicine), personal presence may be required for exams or practical assessments.

Are diplomas from private universities in Bulgaria accepted?
Yes, if the university is accredited by the Bulgarian National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (NEAA). Without accreditation, the diploma may be rejected.

Can I start work while waiting for recognition?
Sometimes, yes – in non-regulated or general professions. For regulated professions (doctor, teacher, lawyer, engineer), recognition is mandatory before beginning practice.

 

Conclusion

The legalisation and recognition of documents is an essential step for every Bulgarian citizen planning to work in Sweden in their profession. Although both countries are EU members and the process is considerably simplified, the administrative requirements remain strict – apostille, sworn translation, and submission to the correct institutions.

Recognition is most often required for university diplomas, professional qualifications, and certificates in fields such as medicine, engineering, education, and law. Careful preparation is the key to success – any inaccuracies or missing documents can delay the process and cost you valuable opportunities.

This is where Oltrans plays a vital role – a company with many years of experience in translation and legalisation of documents for international purposes. Our team offers:

• Sworn translations into Swedish and English, tailored to academic and professional terminology;
• Complete organisation of the process – from apostille to final recognition in Sweden;
• Personalised support and assistance in urgent or complex cases.

If you are planning a professional career in Sweden and want your diplomas to be recognised without unnecessary complications, trust Oltrans. With our help, you will complete the procedure quickly, securely, and stress-free – so that you can fully focus on what truly matters: your successful development and new opportunities in Sweden.