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 complete guide to study and practice 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.
What is the Average Salary for Doctors in Finland?
A medical doctor in Finland earns around 11,000 euros per month or approximately 130,400 euros annually.
How to Become a Doctor in Finland
Step 1. Be proficient in the Finnish language
Even though most Finnish people have native-like fluency in English, knowledge of this language is insufficient in the medical profession. In other words, you must be proficient in Finnish in order to study and become a medical doctor in Finland.
Although Finnish is quite distinct from other languages, it does not have to be difficult to learn. Today, you have the option of both in-person and online courses, as well as several language learning applications. In addition, the Finnish government offers an abundance of immersion courses that help you both learn the language and get accustomed to life in Finland.
Step 2. Obtain a degree in medicine
This is, of course, a crucial step to becoming a medical doctor in Finland. Similar to most other Scandinavian countries, the Finnish educational system holds high international acclaim. Therefore, if given the opportunity, you should consider studying medicine at a Finnish university. However, acceptance into a Finnish medical program is no easy task.
Candidates must complete their secondary education with exceptional marks and show a decisive focus on subjects such as chemistry, mathematics, and biology. Furthermore, all applicants must sit and pass a national-level admissions exam, conducted in May each year. Lastly, all medical programs are taught exclusively in Finnish, meaning that international candidates are required to provide proof of language proficiency as well.
Once admitted, students have six years of medical studies to complete. Similar to Denmark, the first three years constitute the bachelor’s degree, while the next three represent the master’s. Once they obtain their diploma, graduates gain the title of Licentiate in Medicine. Nevertheless, they are still not permitted to practice medicine independently.
Step 3. Complete a mandatory residency period
Dissimilar to other nations, Finland requires a fairly short residency period. Namely, all graduates must complete a six-month-long residency in their medical field of interest. Of course, securing the desired residency requires both academic excellence and stellar recommendations.
Once they complete their six-month residency, all doctors are required to sit a national-level exam. Passing this test allows you to register as a practicing physician in Finland. Upon receiving your medical credentials, you have two choices, either begin practicing medicine or look for further specializations in your respective medical field.
Step 4. Secure a medical position in either a hospital or a medical center
As most services in Finland are digitalized, you will most likely have to apply for your desired position online. The most widely used site for this is the European Job Mobility Portal, known in short as EURES. In most cases, the application will be provided in either Finnish or Swedish, meaning that language proficiency is a prerequisite for this step as well. On the other hand, medical doctors who are already in Finland have another option. They may seek employment through the Finnish employment offices as well.
Step 5. Complete a few additional steps (for foreign medical doctors)
The first type of foreign-trained doctors obtains their medical degree in some other EU nation. These practitioners are required to submit their diploma and proof of Finnish language proficiency to Valvira, the official medical licensing body. Once Valvira approves their medical license, they will automatically be registered in the Central Register of Healthcare Professionals, also known as Terhikki.
However, if your medical degree comes from outside of the EU, the process is a bit more complex. For you to become a medical doctor in Finland, you will need to complete a medical internship and a three-part licensure examination before your degree may be recognized as equivalent to one obtained in Finland.
Step 6. Apply for a work visa
The Finnish government recognized two types of foreign medical professionals – those coming from inside and those coming from outside of the EU/EEA. In the case of the former, they have plenty of career opportunities because no work visa is required. In other words, doctors trained in an EU/EEA country may practice medicine in Finland without ever applying for a work visa. Nevertheless, they still have to have their medical diploma recognized and obtain a Finish medical license. In addition, after three months, they must also register their right of residence.
Conversely, doctors trained outside of the EU/EEA must apply for a work visa before seeking employment. Of course, this does not apply to foreign medical students who have completed their medical education in Finland through a student visa.
In conclusion, the journey of becoming a medical practitioner in Finland starts with being proficient in the Finnish Language. Knowledge of English alone is not enough in the health sector, as it requires a lot of interaction with Finnish citizens on a daily basis. Other requirements are no different from what most countries in Europe ask for, so if you are an international student who fulfills all these requirements, make sure you have your work visa in order, and you should be able to practice medicine in Finland with no issue whatsoever.
We hope that this article was helpful! If you want to learn more about studying requirements in Finland then make sure to also check out Study in Finland page! You can also check Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad!
