Recognising qualifications in Finlandia

Determine whether your profession is regulated in Finland

Check the OPH recognition portal and Valvira's list of regulated healthcare professions to establish whether your target profession requires a licence or authorisation in Finland. Most regulated professions in Finland are healthcare-related and fall under Valvira. Architecture and engineering are not regulated licensed professions in Finland — no statutory licence is required to practise them.

For healthcare professions: apply to Valvira

Submit your application to Valvira for authorisation to practise. Required documents typically include: certified copy of degree certificate and transcripts, certificate of good standing from the competent authority in your country of training, proof of identity, and evidence of Finnish or Swedish language proficiency at B2 level for patient-facing roles. Valvira processes applications for EEA-trained professionals in the 7 sectoral professions under the automatic recognition regime.

For academic qualifications (non-regulated roles): apply to OPH

Submit your degree certificates, transcripts, and supporting documents to OPH for a comparability statement (rinnastamistodistus or lausunto). This statement is the employer-facing document confirming the level of your foreign qualification relative to the Finnish education system. It is not a licence to practise but is frequently requested by employers and immigration authorities.

For teaching qualifications: obtain an eligibility assessment from OPH

Submit your teaching qualifications to OPH for an assessment of kelpoisuus (eligibility). OPH issues a written statement on whether the foreign qualification meets Finnish requirements for the relevant teaching position. Individual schools and education providers make the final appointment decision — there is no single national teaching licence in Finland.

Complete any required compensation measures or language requirements

If Valvira or OPH determines that your qualification is not fully equivalent, you may be required to complete an aptitude test or adaptation period. For Valvira-regulated healthcare professions in patient-facing roles, proof of Finnish or Swedish language proficiency at B2 level is also required — this is assessed separately from the qualification recognition decision and must be fulfilled before the lupa (licence) is issued.