The international principle for recognition of qualifications is that the receiving party makes an interpretation of the level of a foreign qualification and the professional and academic rights it provides. Finland cannot directly influence the decision-making process of another country’s authorities. Even if EU directives or international agreements set out certain general provisions, each country decides for itself how it implements provisions and applies them in individual cases.

The Finnish National Board of Education functions as the National Contact Point for the European general system of recognition of qualifications. The National Contact Point is responsible for providing information about qualifications and competences and recognition procedures in Finland and other Member States.

Where necessary, the Finnish National Board of Education advises people who have completed a qualification in Finland and wish to get it recognised in another Member State.

Finns leaving for another country to search for a job would do well to check in advance with the target country’s authorities about the qualifications recognition procedures in place in that country and the types of documents required for this purpose.

When applying for recognition of a Finnish qualification abroad, you can make use of the Europass documents, in particular the Certificate and Diploma Supplements. You may also apply to the Finnish National Board of Education for a specific statement on your Finnish qualification.

Finnish National Board of Education statements on Finnish qualifications

The Finnish National Board of Education issues advisory statements on Finnish qualifications for international contexts. A statement can be drawn up on any completed qualification falling within the Finnish education system.

There are two types of statements issued on Finnish qualifications:

1. Statements concerning:
• the applicant’s eligibility for higher education in Finland;
• the status of the qualification and/or the educational institution within the Finnish education system;
• whether the qualification falls within the scope of the Professional Qualifications Directive (2005/36/EC).
Statements are issued in Finnish, Swedish or English.

The statement is subject to a fee of €35 + VAT + €10 for delivery.

2. Detailed statements on the content of the applicant’s qualification and the academic and professional rights it gives.

Statements are issued in Finnish, Swedish or English.

The statement is subject to a fee of €98 + VAT + €10 for delivery.

You may apply for a statement using the attached form, which should always be accompanied by certified copies of the original qualification certificate and its supplement. Detailed instructions on the required appendices can be found in the instructions for applying for a statement.