Foreign Doctors In Finland

medical specialization in finland

Although oftentimes regarded as just another Scandinavian nation, Finland has much to offer. For one, it is among the most progressive, open, and developed countries in both Europe and the world. It is also one of the highest acclaimed when it comes to the study and practice of medicine.

Nevertheless, with such high acclaim, comes a high level of competitiveness. Therefore, securing a medical position in Finland is no easy task. To ease the transition, this article looks at the steps to becoming a medical doctor in Finland.

Finland

PART ONE Professional recognition in your country

1.1. Which organisation recognises doctors eligible to practice in your country?In case your country has more then one organisation which can provide professional recognition, please attach to this survey a simple list of names and websites where we can acquire more information.

Name:

VALVIRA, National supervisory authority for welfare and health

Type of organisation (professional, government, etc.):

Trade union and professional organisation
Govermental organisation

Address:

Postal address:
P.O. Box 210, FI-00281 Helsinki

Street address:
Mannerheimintie 103b, 00280 Helsinki

Phone number:

+358 295 209 111

Fax:

+358 295 209 700

Contact person:

–

E-mail:

–

Website(s):

http://www.valvira.fi/web/en/valvira/contact_information

All the information for foreign doctors wishing to work in finland:

http://www.valvira.fi/web/en/healthcare/professional_practice_rights/…

https://www.laakariliitto.fi/en/health-care-in-finland

1.2. What requirements/documents are necessary for a foreign doctor to practice medicine?i.e. language skills, medical degree, insurance, immigration status.

Licensing when you have completed a qualification in a country that is not an EU/EEA Member State and an EU/EEA Member State other than Finland has recognised your qualification and licensed you to practice your profession
Licensing is subject to the condition that you have practiced as a medical doctor or specialist for at least three years in the EU/EEA Member State in which you were licenced to practice as a medical doctor or specialist. If you have less than three years’ experience, please see above under ‘Conditions for legalisation’ for additional information.

Doctors who have qualified outside the EU/EEA
In order to work as a medical doctor in Finland, you must have an authorisation (licence to practice a profession) from Valvira. You may be granted a licence to practice your profession as a medical doctor upon application and will also be entered in the Central Register of Health Care Professionals (known as Terhikki) upon application.
In order to be eligible for licensing, you must complete an internship and sit a three-part licensure examination as mandated by Valvira to ensure that your qualification is equivalent to medical training in Finland.
The applicant shall not complete the employment, the supplementary studies, the internship or three-part examination required by Valvira, before Valvira has inspected and approved applicant’s degree and education.
Practicing as a medical doctor without a licence in Finland is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment.

1.3. Are there any application deadlines (if so, when)?Furthermore, how long does the professional recognition procedure usually take?

No1.4. Are there any sort of examinations/interviews to apply for Medical Professional Recognition?

For outside EU/EEA there is a written and clinical examination. From EU-EEA just language test with accreditation protocol similar to Finnish doctors.1.5.1. What kind of professional medical degrees are there in your country?

There are 55 medical specialties.1.5.2. How do you access each degree?

MD studies lasts 6 years in university. Specialty training takes 5-6 years.

PART TWO Training in your country

2.1. Which organisation is responsible for medical training in your country?In case your country has more than one organisation with this function, please attach to this survey a simple list of names and websites where we can acquire more information.

NAME:   MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND HEALTH  

ADDRESS POSTAL ADDRESS PO Box 33, FI-00023 Government, Finland
Visiting address: Meritullinkatu 8, 00170 Helsinki

TYPE OF ORGANISATION (PROFESSIONAL, GOVERNMENT, ETC.): GOVERMENTAL
PHONE NUMBER:  +358 295 16001
       
 
FAX:  +358 9 698 0709        

CONTACT PERSON:        

E-MAIL:         

WEBSITE:    WWW.STM.FI

In addition to the ministry the universities are responsible for PGT, and thus

University of Eastern Finland

University of Helsinki

University of Oulu

University of Tampere

http://www2.uta.fi/opiskelunopas/opintojen-aikana/ammatillinen-jatkokoul…

University of Turku

https://www.utu.fi/fi/yliopisto/laaketieteellinen-tiedekunta/ammatilline…

2.2. Besides professional recognition, is there any other requirement for a doctor to start his training/begin to work (i.e. examination, clerkship, internship)? Namely, which documents/examinations are necessary when applying for training/job?

Graduation certificate and accreditation by VALVIRA.

“Specialising in medicine in Finland
Specialist training in Finland is in the form of postgraduate professional education at a university. Specialist training is provided by the faculties of medicine at the universities of Helsinki, Eastern Finland, Oulu, Tampere and Turku. Training is subject to the strict requirement that the medical doctor is licensed by Valvira to practice the profession of medical doctor in Finland.
Each Faculty of Medicine decides on admissions of foreign medical doctors as post-graduate students and on how your training completed abroad will be recognised in specialist medical training in Finland. The medical specialist degree programme lasts 5–6 years and principally involves practical work in the specialist field in question.
A foreign medical doctor can also complete a post-graduate Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree at the universities listed above. If you only intend to engage in scientific research, it is not necessary for you to be licenced to practice medicine.“2.2.1. Where are training positions advertised?

No standard procedure.

2.3. Are there any application deadlines (if so, which)?

Since the beginning of 2019 there is a new admission protocol to PGT in Finland. There a two admission deadlines a year (spring and autumn) and applicants are chosen for interview based on their prior working experience and academic achievements. One can apply to five different training programs at a time.

More information can be found in university webpages and in “Opintopolku”-webpage, which is where one fills the application form:

https://studyinfo.fi/app/#!/haku/erikoislääkäri?page=1&facetFilters=teachingLangCode_ffm:FI&tab=los

2.4. How do applicants choose what and where they would like to train?

There is an ongoing reform in PGT in Finland. For now it is unclear how the application to training positions after acquiring the right to train will be dealt in the future. For now one can approach the hospitals directly to ask for free positions.

2.5. Is there a fee/tuition for attending a training programme?

No2.6. Do trainees receive a salary during training?

Yes2.6.1. Moreover, what is the current salary and is overtime paid?

For fully qualified trainees around 3200 € , those not yet qualified around 2000€. Overtime is paid, but usually other arrangements are preferred: to take leave etc.2.6.2. What type of contracts are there? How long are the working and on-calls times?

Contract types vary greatly depending on specialty. Usually doctors work in 8 hours shifts day time and on-call from 8 to 24 hours.2.6.3. Are sick leave, vacation days, maternity leave, voluntary work allowed and do they entail a reduction of salary?

Yes they are allowed. In the beginning of maternity of sick leave full pay is granted. With longer periods of illness (over two months a year) and on parental leave there will eventually be reductions. Further information can be found in www.kela.fi

2.7. In general terms, how is the training assessment done?i.e. exams, evaluations, interviews, appraisal

Written exam in the end of training.

PART THREE Other details about training/working in your country

3.1. Is mobility possible inside and outside the country during your training?

Yes3.2. How many trainees are there in your country?Divided, if possible, by in each speciality.

There is no clear figure available, between 6000 – 8000 I believe.
                        
Where else can we find more information? Finnish Medical Association and Universities have some information and there is an intension to keep better record on the number in the near future.3.3. What are the success, training drop-out and post-training employment rates?

Where else can we find more information? No definitive figures available. Employment is an issue only in specific , popular specialties. Over all unemployment isn’t an issue in Finalnd.3.4. Is there an accreditation procedure for training centres (and do they include visitations)?

No accreditation yet, though universities are responsible to overview the training.3.5. Is there any national recertification/revalidation scheme to practice?

No3.6. Are there any differences in the application procedure according to the country of origin of a trainee?

No, after accreditation to practice has been managed.3.7.1. Are there any restrictions for a foreign doctor who is undergoing training in your country to work there afterwards?

No, the same accreditation has to be done for residency as practicing after.3.7.2. Moreover, is it possible for a trainee undergoing training in another EU/EEA country to do part of his training in your country? If so, what are the necessary requirements/documents?

Yes, it is possible, but same procedure to practice (accreditation) has to be managed.3.8. Please summarise the general timeline between the time where a doctor has just graduated until he has attained a final senior post as an independent medical doctor.In other words, please describe, in general terms, the training of a junior doctor in your country.

5-6 years. 9 months in general practice for each specialty, 2 years 3months in community hospital and 3 years in a university hospital. Training includes clinical work, weekly seminars at the workplace and uo to 10 training days a year outside the working place. There is also a written exam at the end.3.9. Is it compulsory to have malpractice (or any other) insurance?

Yes, it is compulsory to have insurance. For most insurance is provided by Finnish Medical Association.3.10. What is the general perspective/position on immigration of medical trainees to your country?

Generally welcoming, there is still lack of workforce in the rural areas of Finland.3.11. What is the general perspective/position on emigration of medical trainees to foreign countries?

No restrictions.3.13. Which organisation(s) specialise in assisting doctors in legal and work matters?i.e. trade unions, medical chambers, other organizations.

Finnish Medical Association

How to Become a Medical Doctor in Finland

With its progressive politics, great healthcare system, and overall quality of living, Finland is an appealing destination for doctors looking to work in Northern Europe. It is also a very internationally-minded country, where you can pursue higher education in English for many programs (though not for medical school at undergraduate entry-level). You’ll need to speak Finnish and become accustomed to the particular climate, but working in Finland will prove very rewarding. In this article, we will be looking at how to become a doctor in Finland.

1. Finnish Language Requirements

Whether you plan to study in Finland or move there after completing studies in your home country, speaking Finnish is essential to a medical career. In order to learn Finnish, you can choose to study at home online or by using applications for self-taught courses, or immerse yourself in a language course in Finland itself.

In any case, speaking fluent Finnish will be a pre-requisite for entering medical school, as well as for obtaining your medical license for you to become a doctor in Finland.

2. Study in Finnish Medical Schools if Possible

Completing your medical studies in the country is one of the best ways to get into the system in Finland and to familiarize yourself with all the requirements for getting your medical license.

Medical school takes six years to complete in Finland, and at the end you are awarded the degree of Licenciate in Medicine. As most programs are taught in Finnish, proof of your language level is required for admission, alongside with your high school results and proof of knowledge in subjects such as Biology, Chemistry and Physics. You will then need to sit an entrance examination at national level, held every year in May. This can be taken in Finnish or in Swedish.

3. Medical exams and residency

After completing six years of medical school, the final step before becoming a medical doctor in Finland is to do a 6-month clinical placement in the field of your interest.

All doctors then have to sit a national exam to become a registered physician.

Depending on your personal interests, there is then the opportunity to specialize further, by applying to specialization training which can take between three and six years in total.

4. Becoming a licensed doctor

The medical license in Finland is awarded after successful completion of the national medical examination which can be taken by anyone that’s finished their medical studies and completed the compulsory 6-month clinical placement.

5. Work Visa for Doctors in Finland

Finland has a specific process for doctors from a European Union state, which involves recognition of the medical degree and giving authorization to practice medicine in Finland. You then don’t need to apply for a visa, but after three months living in Finland, you need to register your right of residence.

If you are coming to Finland from outside the EU, alongside the requirements for becoming registered as a doctor in Finland, you’ll also need to apply for a work visa. Students who finish their studies in a Finnish university, however, can receive a temporary residence permit for job application.

Otherwise, you need to register for a residence permit for an employed person – you can find more information here.

6. Getting a Job as a Doctor

The easiest way to find a job in Finland is by using online job sites or the European Job Mobility Portal (EURES). The actual online job search is often only available in Finnish and Swedish.

Alternatively, you can use employment offices in Finland, especially if you are already in the country.

7. Becoming a Doctor in Finland through Foreign Schools

Doctors who have qualified within the European Union need to apply to the medical licensing body, Valvira, submitting their medical degree and proof of their Finnish language abilities. As a result of being granted a license by Valvira, you will also be added to the Central Register of Healthcare Professionals (known as Terhikki).

There are different requirements for registration depending on your specialization and you can find out specific steps for each of them here.

If your degree was issued outside of the EU, you need to complete an internship in Finland and also go through a three-part licensure examination before your degree can be recognized formally to become a doctor in Finland. This ensures that your medical degree is truly equivalent to one awarded in Finland. The steps for applying first for your degree to be recognized, and then to go through the licensing phases, can be found here.

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