Nurses educated outside the EU/EEA can qualify to work in Finland through a national pathway

Metropolia University of Applied Sciences coordinates a joint project of universities of applied sciences to implement a nationwide licensing pathway for nurses educated outside the EU/EEA area. Through this pathway, these nurses will be able to find employment in Finland more smoothly in positions that correspond to their qualifications. Non‑EU/EEA countries are those that are not part of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) single market.

The licensing pathway was developed in 2024–2025 as a joint project of 20 universities of applied sciences. In the SAILA1 and SAILA2 projects, a nationally comprehensive training package was created. It includes the assessment and completion of nursing competence, as well as ensuring that the competence corresponds to the requirements of nursing duties in Finland.

In the newly launched project, the pathway will be made nationwide and offered to a total of 180 nurses who have completed their nursing degree outside the EU/EEA area. Through the pathway, nurses who already live in Finland, have a residence permit or citizenship, and possess sufficient Finnish or Swedish language skills can obtain licensure and work as registered nurses in Finland. The project is funded with 500,000 euros by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

The pathway is needed to tackle the future shortage of social and health care professionals

The new licensing pathway strengthens cooperation between authorities, higher education institutions and the labour market. In this model, the Finnish Licensing and Supervisory Authority is responsible for verifying the authenticity of degree certificates and granting professional practice rights, while universities of applied sciences are responsible for competence assessment, preparatory studies and examinations.

“The competence of nurses who have graduated outside EU/EEA countries must be put to better use in Finnish health care than it is at present. The pathway is needed to tackle the looming shortage of social and health care professionals in the coming years, which is why we hope it will receive permanent funding,” says Päivi Haarala, Head of Competence Area at Metropolia.

Kati Ylikahri, Project Manager of the SAILA3 project, emphasises the importance of the activities both for the nurses seeking licensure and for Finnish health care.

“In the pathway, we value the degree and work experience that applicants have obtained in their home country. Our goal is to offer a smooth and fair route to licensure so that nurses can find employment in Finland in positions corresponding to their education. At the same time, we are strengthening the competence base of the health care sector and helping to meet future needs,” Ylikahri says.

The implementation period of the SAILA3 project is 1 June 2026–31 December 2027. In addition to Metropolia, the project involves 10 universities of applied sciences: Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, Häme University of Applied Sciences, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Karelia University of Applied Sciences, LAB University of Applied Sciences, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Turku University of Applied Sciences and Arcada University of Applied Sciences. Further information on the ongoing application rounds and the implementation of the licensing pathway is available on the websites of these universities of applied sciences.

Further information on the SAILA3 project and licensing studies:

Kati Ylikahri
Project Manager, SAILA3 project
Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
kati.ylikahri [at] metropolia.fi (kati[dot]ylikahri[at]metropolia[dot]fi)