European Professional Card

The European Professional Card (EPC) is currently available for nurses, pharmacists and physiotherapists. The EPC is intended for the above professionals who wish to practise their profession in another EU/EEA country.

The EPC is not a physical card but an elecronic proof that you have met the conditions to offer your professional services on a temporary or occasional basis or that your professional qualifications have been recognised for the purposes practising your profession in another EU country on a permanent basis. The EPC application process is easier and quicker than the standard procedures for having your qualifications recognised.

You can apply for a European Professional card when

• you want to practise your profession in another EU country on a temporary and occasional basis or
• you want to settle in another EU country and practise your profession there permanently

Please note that if you are granted an EPC for the purpose of settling in Finland, the card does not automatically entitle you to practise your professional in Finland. You must apply to the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) separately to obtain the right to practice.

Please contact your host Member State in advance to clarify whether you will need to apply for the EPC for (1) the purposes of establishment or (2) the purposes of providing temporary or occasional services.

If you are considering applying for an EPC for the temporary and occasion provision of services, please be aware of the following:

• The temporary and occasional nature of the service provision will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, with particular focus placed on the duration, frequency, regularity and continuity of the service provided. The assessment will be carried out by the host Member State. Some Member States define “temporary and occasional” as less than two days per month or as a period of a few weeks per year.
• The service provision will not be deemed “temporary and occasional” if it is considered continuous or regular.
• As a rule, a longer-term employment contract or consecutive fixed-term employment contracts mean that you will be required to apply for an EPC for the purposes of establishment.

If you are uncertain whether, under your specific circumstances, you should apply for an EPC the purposes of establishment or for the purposes of providing temporary or occasional services, please contact the Member State you intend to work in for more information.

It is a good idea to clarify the situation prior to submitting an EPC application. If the host Member State considers an EPC for temporary and occasional service provision to be insufficient in your circumstances, you will be required to submit a new application for the purposes of establishment. A new fee will be payable for this service.

How to apply for an EPC through the YourEurope website

If you plan to leave Finland to practise your profession in another EU/EEA country or you are in another EU/EEA country and would like to come to Finland, you can apply for an EPC through the YourEurope website (europa.eu). The website will provide you with more information on the application process, including what documentation is required, the deadlines involved and the role of the authorities in processing your application.

Valvira will only accept EPC applications submitted electronically via the YourEurope website.

A fee is payable for this service:

YourEurope
Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications 2005/36/EC
Commission implementing regulation (EU) 2015/983