Qualified in an EU/EEA member state

This page provides information on how persons who have qualified within an EU/EEA member state other than Finland can apply to Valvira for licensing and registration of a protected professional title.

​​​​​​​Persons who have qualified in an EU/EEA member state can submit their applications to Valvira on paper or electronically. Valvira’s e-service requires strong electronic identification.

If you have taken your degree in The United Kingdom look at professional practice rights for qualified outside the EU/EEA. Find more information on Brexit.

Licensed social welfare professionals

Working as a social worker, social service professional, elderly care professional or rehabilitation councellor in Finland requires the right to practice as a professional granted by Valvira.

Valvira grants, upon application, the right to practice the profession of social worker, social service professional and elderly care professional in Finland as a licensed professional to citizens of EU/EEA member states who have obtained a qualification certificate or some other document based on training completed in an EU/EEA member state other than Finland and where such a certificate or document is required to practice the profession referred to in the state concerned. The document may also be some other document indicating the applicant’s capability to practice the profession concerned.

Valvira may grant applicants a conditional recognition decision and require an applicant to complete an adaptation period or aptitude test as a compensation measure before granting the final right to practice a profession. The applicant must submit proof of having completed the adaptation period or aptitude test when applying for a final decision on the right to practice a profession.

Link to the application form in Finnish (pdf)

Link to the application form in Swedish (pdf)

Link to the adaptation period agreement in Finnish (pdf)

Link to the adaptation period agreement in Swedish (pdf)

Applicants must annex the following documents to their application

• A copy of the applicant’s valid passport or other document issued by the authorities to verify the applicant’s citizenship
• If the applicant’s name differs from the name appearing in the documents, a copy of the relevant document to verify the change of name
• A copy of the original qualification certificate
• A copy of any supplement diploma / transcript of records
• The certificate issued by the competent foreign authority showing the applicant’s right to practice the relevant profession in the country concerned. Certificate may be no more than three (3) months old. Where an applicant has been granted the right to practice in more than one country, certificates must be submitted from all these countries.  Certificates can be either original or certified copies. OR If the applicant has practiced the profession in a country where practitioners of the profession are not registered, the non-registration of practitioners must be established by means of a certificate to that effect issued by the competent authority of the said country or by other reliable means.
• Certificates indicating professional experience where required
• Translations into Finnish, Swedish or English of the documents referred to above made by an authorised translator in Finland or another EU/EEA member state. These translations may be submitted either in the original or as certified copies.

When applying for the final decision on the right to practice a profession, applicants who have qualified within the EU/EEA and who are not citizens of an EU/EEA member state must, in addition to the documents referred to above, also annex to their application

• a certificate showing sufficient proficiency in Finnish or Swedish

Valvira may request an applicant to provide other information about training to determine any fundamental differences compared to the training required in Finland to practice the profession concerned.

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 the copies that bear the original stamp and signature of the notary public or Finnish mission to Valvira.

Protected professional titles within social welfare

The titles of practical nurse, home support worker and disability support worker are protected professional titles within social welfare and may only be used by persons who are registered with Valvira.

Valvira grants, upon application, the right to use the above mentioned protected professional titles in Finland to citizens of EU/EEA member states who have obtained a qualification certificate or some other document based on training completed in an EU/EEA member state other than Finland and where such a certificate or document is required to practice the profession referred to in the state concerned. The document may also be some other document indicating the applicant’s capability to practice the profession concerned.

Valvira may grant applicants a conditional recognition decision and require an applicant to complete an adaptation period or aptitude test as a compensation measure before granting the final right to practice a profession. The applicant must submit proof of having completed the adaptation period or aptitude test when applying for a final decision on the right to use a protected professional title.

Link to the application form in Finnish (pdf)

Link to the application form in Swedish (pdf)

Link to the adaptation period agreement in Finnish (pdf)

Link to the adaptation period agreement in Swedish (pdf)

Applicants must annex the following documents to their application:

• A copy of the applicant’s valid passport or other document issued by the authorities to verify the applicant’s citizenship
• If the applicant’s name differs from the name appearing in the documents, a copy of the relevant document to verify the change of name
• A copy of the original qualification certificate
• A copy of any supplement diploma / transcript of records
• The certificate issued by the competent foreign authority showing the applicant’s right to practice the relevant profession in the country concerned. Certificate may be no more than three (3) months old. Where an applicant has been granted the right to practice in more than one country, certificates must be submitted from all these countries.  Certificates can be either original or certified copies. OR If the applicant has practiced the profession in a country where practitioners of the profession are not registered, the non-registration of practitioners must be established by means of a certificate to that effect issued by the competent authority of the said country or by other reliable means.
• Certificates indicating professional experience where required
• Translations into Finnish, Swedish or English of the documents referred to above made by an authorised translator in Finland or another EU/EEA member state. These translations may be submitted either in the original or as certified copies.

When applying for the final decision on the right to practice a profession, applicants who have qualified within the EU/EEA and who are not citizens of an EU/EEA member state must, in addition to the documents referred to above, also annex to their application

• a certificate showing sufficient proficiency in Finnish or Swedish

Valvira may request an applicant to provide other information about training to determine any fundamental differences compared to the training required in Finland to practice the profession concerned.

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 the copies that bear the original stamp and signature of the notary public or Finnish mission to Valvira.