Nurses with EU citizenship and training

A nurse who is a EU citizen and received his/her diploma in an EU/EEA country can usually work in all EU member states. Licence/authorisation  will be granted on the principle of automatic recognition following harmonisation of training in the EU area. Harmonisation has been defined in different EU regulations and in Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications.

 

However, Valvira will consider each applicant's education separately. If your diploma does not meet all the Directive requirements, Valvira may give you license to work in Finland if you have enough work experience as a nurse. You need at least three years of nursing work experience during the last five years.

If you have the diploma but not enough work experience, you may be licensed after compensation measures. These measures mean an adaptation period or an aptitude test. The adaptation period means working as a nurse under lead and direction of a supervising nurse. The period can last for a maximum of three years. Please note that you need to find a workplace for adaptation period yourself, Valvira does not have information on job openings. The aptitude test measures general nursing skills and Valvira will specify the contents of the test.

Valvira will give you further information on the possible compensation measures in a conditional decision of recognition you will receive after you have sent your application.

 

Language skills

All nurses in Finland must have good enough skills in one (1) of Finland’s two (2) official languages. Most Finns speak Finnish as their mother tongue and about 5% speak Swedish.

EU/EEA citizens are not required to show an official language certificate before they can work as a nurse. However, Valvira and your future employer require that you have good Finnish language skills so you can work safely. Your future employer can ask you an official language certificate.

 

How to apply

 

  • Please use a freely worded application or use the application form below
  • The application must be written in Finnish, Swedish or English
  • Remember to date and sign the application

 

The form can be filled in electronically or manually. Either way, print it out and mail it to the enclosed address.

Professional Practice Rights application (pdf)

 

Note: if you do not send the documents below, then processing your application will take more time. Please send all the documents below.

 

  • Officially certified copy of your passport or another officially certified document that states your citizenship.
  • Officially certified copy of your original nursing diploma and study records.
  • Translations of the nursing diploma and study records. The documents need to be translated into Finnish, Swedish or English by an authorised translator.
  • A certificate showing that your qualification meets the EU requirements.

 

For certifiying your documents, see Finnish Register Office and Notary Public

For authorised translators, see Database search for authorised translators (search available only in Finnish)