Finland needs more nurses, and nursing is a regulated profession there, so before you can work as a registered nurse, you must have your qualification recognised and be registered with the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira). How you get there depends on where you trained.

In short: if you trained in the EU or EEA, your nursing qualification is recognised largely automatically; if you trained elsewhere, you need recognition (with a possible aptitude test), skills in Finnish or Swedish, registration with the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira), a job offer, and a residence permit for an employed person through Migri.

Is Your Nursing Qualification Recognised in Finland?

Nurses who trained in the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland generally benefit from automatic recognition under Directive 2005/36/EC and can often use a European Professional Card. If you trained outside those countries, your qualification is assessed under the general system, and where there are major differences,s you may be asked to take an aptitude test or complete an adaptation period before you can register.

Step by Step

• Recognition: apply to have your nursing qualification recognised by providing your diploma, transcripts, course content, and proof of experience, accompanied by a CA-certified translation.
• Language: reach the required level of Finnish or Swedish, since safe patient care depends on it.
• Registration: register with the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) to obtain a licence to practise; recognition alone does not allow you to work until you are registered.
• Job and visa: with a job offer, obtain a residence permit for an employed person through Migri.

The Work Route

Once you are recognised and have a job offer, the usual immigration route is to apply for a residence permit for an employed person through Migri. The professional steps (recognition and registration) and the immigration steps (visa or permit) run in parallel, so plan both early.

What You Can Expect to Earn

National or collective agreements set nurses’ pay in Finland, and it varies by employer, region, and experience, so confirm the exact figures in your contract rather than relying on headline averages.

Avoiding Scams

Use only official regulators and ethical recruiters. Legitimate employers and agencies never charge a nurse upfront placement fees; if anyone asks you to pay to be placed, treat it as a likely scam and verify the employer with the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) through official channels.

Official Sources

Confirm the current rules with the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) and the Finnish immigration authority, as procedures, language levels, and fees can change.