Instructions

​​​​​​Application delivery

You can send in your application to Valvira by using an application form (in Finnish) or application form (in swedish) (pdf). You may also submit a freeform application indicating in which profession you are applying for the right to practise. Also include your name and your contact details for managing the matter.

If you wish to apply for the right to practise in more than one profession, you must submit a separate application for each of them.

Attach the following documents to your application:

The attachments referred to in points 3–5 may be necessary for resolving your application. Valvira may also be able to verify the information directly with the competent authority, in which case you do not need to submit these documents. This verification may delay the processing of your application. If Valvira is unable to verify the information with the competent authority, then you must submit the relevant certificates yourself. If you submit all the relevant documents with your application, the application process will be quicker. The processing period is calculated from the time when Valvira has received all the required documents and reports.

1. Document certifying your identity and nationality (passport or identity card)
2. Degree certificate.
3. Certificate, no more than three months old, verifying that your right to practise the profession in question has not been restricted or revoked, such as a Certificate of Current Professional Status. If you have been granted the right to practise your profession in several countries, you must submit this certificate for each country. OR If you want Valvira to check your credentials directly with the competent authority, then you need to declare all the countries in which you have been granted the right to practise your profession.
4. Certificate issued by a competent authority stating how your professional qualifications fulfil the requirements of Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications.
5. Translations into Finnish, Swedish or English of the aforementioned documents in points 3 and 4. The translations must have been made by an authorised translator in Finland or in another EU or EEA Member State. Authorised translators in Finland.
6. Certificate of language proficiency. More information about language proficiency

If you do not submit a certificate of language proficiency, Valvira can only recognise your professional qualifications. In order to be eligible for this, you must be a citizen of an EU or EEA Member State or a person of comparable status, and you must have completed your training in an EU or EEA Member State. Recognition of professional qualifications does not automatically entitle you to practise your profession or to use a protected professional title in Finland.

Further information on recognition of professional qualifications.

Valvira may request further explanations as necessary. Please note that Valvira will not return any documents submitted, and Valvira will not make copies of any documents.

You can submit uncertified copies of your attachment documents when you file your application. However, Valvira may later require you to submit officially certified copies of those attachment documents.

If Valvira does require officially certified copies, you can obtain those from a notary public in Finland or in another EU or EEA Member State, or from a Finnish mission in other countries.

You may also submit copies issued by a foreign authority and verified using the Apostille or Grand Legalisation procedure. Send to Valvira the copies that bear the original stamp and signature of the notary public or Finnish mission.

Further information on notaries public

Processing period

If any documents are missing, notification will be sent to you within 30 days of receiving the application. The processing period is calculated from the time when Valvira has received all the required documents.

The processing period for applications is 3 months, as specified in the Act on Health Care Professionals. The processing period is laid down in the relevant EU Directive and is the same in all Member States. If the application can be processed in the automatic recognition system and no additional information is required, the application may be processed in as little as 30 days.

Decision

A fee is charged for every decision concerning professional rights, even if decision is a negative one. If you cancel your application, you will be charged half of the application processing fee.

Types of fee include:

• Legalisation and protected title registration of a professional arriving from an EU/EEA Member State

or

• Recognition of professional qualifications
• Legalisation and protected title registration once proof of language proficiency is received after recognition of professional qualifications

The decision on the right to practise a profession will be issued in Finnish or Swedish. The invoice will be sent separately by post after the decision.