Finland has a significant and growing shortage of nurses. For immigrants, a Finnish nursing qualification leads directly to stable, well-paid employment across Finland and the EU. Here is everything you need to know about studying nursing in Finland as an international student.
The Qualification
The Finnish nursing degree is a Bachelor of Health Care (sairaanhoitaja AMK) — a 3.5-year program (210 ECTS credits) taught at universities of applied sciences. The degree is fully recognised across the EU and in many countries worldwide.
English-Language Nursing Programs
Several Finnish AMK institutions offer nursing programs taught fully in English:
- Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (Helsinki) — One of the largest and most respected nursing programs in Finland.
- Seinajoki University of Applied Sciences — English nursing program with clinical placements across Southern Ostrobothnia.
- LAB University of Applied Sciences (Lahti) — English-medium nursing degree with modern simulation facilities.
Finnish Language Requirement for Patient Care
This is the most important point to understand: even after completing an English-language nursing program, working with patients in Finland requires a minimum B2 level in Finnish or Swedish. This is a Valvira (National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health) regulation — not just employer preference. Begin your Finnish language learning from the very start of your degree program.
Valvira Licence
After graduation, apply to Valvira for your nursing licence. For graduates of Finnish AMKs, this is a straightforward process taking 1-3 months. For foreign nursing qualifications obtained outside the EU, the recognition process may take 6-18 months and may include compensatory measures or additional exams.
Salary and Employment
Graduate nurses in Finland start at approximately 2,600-3,000 euros per month gross. Shift allowances for evening, night, and weekend work significantly increase take-home pay. Employment rate for nursing graduates in Finland is essentially 100% as of 2026.
Begin your Finnish language study on day one of your nursing program — not in your final year. B2 Finnish takes 2-3 years of consistent study. Starting early is the difference between graduating directly into employment or waiting another year.
