What is EDUFI credential recognition?
EDUFI credential recognition is the process through which the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) evaluates foreign qualifications to determine how they compare with Finland’s education system. While EDUFI doesn’t directly issue recognition for every credential, it serves as Finland’s national authority, guiding universities, employers, and public bodies in interpreting international degrees and diplomas.
This recognition is required to determine if you can work in a regulated field in Finland or study in a Finnish higher education institution.
Additionally, EDUFI ensures that foreign qualifications are assessed within the Finnish National Qualifications Framework (FiNFQ) and align with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) by Europass. This ensures transparency and comparability across Europe, facilitating mutual understanding between Finnish and international institutions regarding their respective education levels.
The EDUFI credential recognition process typically involves submitting a personal application, providing documents, and paying the required fees.
Why you might need it
International students, researchers, and professionals often rely on EDUFI guidance to help ensure their qualifications are understood and fairly evaluated in Finland. Here’s why you need it:
Professionals will need it to work in a regulated field, such as healthcare, education, or engineering, or in a public sector position that requires high educational credentials.
Students who wish to pursue further education will need credential recognition to meet the entry requirements for Finnish higher education institutions.
Recognition vs. other credential processes
EDUFI provides Statements of Comparability, which are expert opinions on how foreign qualifications compare to Finnish degrees. These statements:
Describe the qualification in Finnish educational terms
Indicate the comparable level within Finland's system
Serve as guidance for employers, institutions, and regulatory bodies
But EDUFI does not make binding recognition decisions. Its statements are advisory tools that support decision-making by universities, employers or other bodies. For example, healthcare professionals need the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) to assess their qualifications and grant them the right to practice.
Who’s eligible & why it matters
If you hold a degree from outside Finland, you’ll need to demonstrate its equivalence within the Finnish system. EDUFI's services provide the authoritative reference point.
Postdoctoral researchers
Universities evaluating candidates for doctoral programs or postdoctoral positions must verify that applicants' master's degrees meet the Finnish standards. A Statement of Comparability provides this verification. It clarifies whether your qualification corresponds to a Finnish master's degree and demonstrates the academic level of your previous studies.
Professionals
Many Finnish employers request credential evaluations to understand international qualifications and certifications. This is particularly important for positions that require specific educational levels or in fields where professional standards are crucial. A Statement of Comparability helps employers assess whether your degree meets their job requirements.
Regulated profession
For healthcare professionals, teachers, lawyers, and others in regulated fields, credential assessment is the critical first step. While profession-specific authorities, such as Valvira for healthcare, make the final licensing decisions, they rely on educational credential evaluations as part of their process. EDUFI's assessment provides essential documentation for these applications.
International students
If you're applying to Finnish universities for additional degrees, institutions need to evaluate whether your previous qualifications meet their admission requirements. EDUFI's credential recognition supports these admissions decisions.
Step-by-step guide to applying for EDUFI credential recognition
To apply for EDUFI Credential Recognition in Finland, you need to use the electronic application form on the official Studyinfo.fi website or a paper-based form via email. You’ll also need to submit certain documents and pay the applicable fees. Here are the steps to follow:
Determine your need
Not all applicants require EDUFI recognition. You typically need it if you:
Check the list of regulated professions on the EDUFI website or your university’s admission guidelines.
Prepare required documents
Gather all necessary documentation needed for the application process. You’ll need:
Additional items, such as CVs or letters of recommendation, may be requested in some instances.
If applying as an EU/EEA national, include:
Note: Translations must be done by an authorised translator in Finland or an official translator in your home country.
Submit your application
You can submit your application via
The electronic application form. It is available in English, Finnish and Swedish.
The paper-based application form. Email [email protected].
Note: You’ll receive the decision faster if you use the online application form.
Payment & processing timeline
After submission, you’ll receive an email confirmation and instructions to pay the processing fee. EDUFI may also request additional documentation.
The average processing time is 3–4 months. You’ll receive your final decision by email once the decision fee is paid.
Receive the decision
You’ll receive an electronically signed decision, issued in Finnish or Swedish, by email or by post once you have made the final payment. You can find information on the next steps after receiving a decision via the resource page.
Fees & processing times
The EDUFI credential recognition average processing time is 3 to 4 months. There are no expedited processing options available, so it's best to apply early.
Fees
Service | Processing Fee | Decision Fee | Notes |
Recognition of a higher education degree | €100 | €237 | |
Eligibility for positions or comparability to Finnish qualifications | €100 | €395–€671 | Reduced fee (€190–€466) if EDUFI has previously assessed the same qualification |
Recognition of professional qualifications (regulated professions) | €100 | Included in total (€495–€771) | |
What happens after submission
After submitting your application:
You’ll receive an email confirmation and payment instructions for the processing fee.
EDUFI will review your documents and may request additional information.
You’ll receive instructions for paying the decision fee once the evaluation is complete.
A digitally signed decision (in Finnish or Swedish) will be sent by email or post.
If you disagree with the outcome, you can appeal to a Finnish Administrative Court. The appeal instructions are provided with your decision email.
Special cases: EU/EEA, EPC, healthcare, refugees
If you’re applying for credential recognition in Finland, the process can vary depending on your background and profession. Some applicants benefit from special routes that make recognition faster or more flexible.
EU/EEA citizens
If you’re from an EU or EEA country, your application follows the EU Directive 2005/36/EC, which supports the free movement of professionals within Europe. This means your qualifications may be recognised automatically or through a simplified procedure, especially if your profession is regulated in Finland.
European Professional Card (EPC)
The European Professional Card offers an online system for recognising qualifications across the EU/EEA. It’s available for specific professions, such as nursing, pharmacy, and physiotherapy. If you hold an EPC, your credentials can be verified through the EU system, so you don’t need to apply separately for national recognition through EDUFI.
Healthcare professionals
If you work in healthcare, your application is handled by Finland’s National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira). The agency is responsible for granting professional licenses, while EDUFI may first assess your educational background before issuing the permit.
Refugees and asylum seekers
If you’ve had to leave your country and can’t provide complete documentation of your studies, EDUFI offers a supportive process for recognising your qualifications. You may be asked to provide alternative evidence, such as interviews or skills assessments. The Finnish ENIC-NARIC Centre also includes advice and statements to help refugees and asylum seekers continue their professional careers in Finland.
Avoid delays: common mistakes and compliance tips
Ensure you use the official Portal Studyinfo.fi. It is the central hub for information and application submission for credential recognition. Unless stated, you should avoid any third-party agents or websites to prevent rejection or losing money.
Plan ahead, as the recognition process can take 3 - 4 months. Ensure that all your documents are accurate, in good condition, and meet the requirements.
If your document is not in Finnish, Swedish, or English, it must be officially translated into one of these languages. Use an authorised Finnish translator or one from your home country. But the translator must be proficient in the language pair and have relevant certification where necessary.
Ensure that your contact information, especially your email address, is accurate, as it is the primary means of communication. Before submitting, you should double-check to confirm no spelling errors or omitted information.
Do you need an apostille or legalisation?
In most cases, you’ll need to have your educational documents either apostilled or legalised before submitting them to the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI). Here's what you should know:
If your documents were issued in a country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, you’ll need an Apostille stamp from the competent authority in that country.
If your country is not part of the Hague Convention, your documents must go through legalisation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or equivalent authority) in your home country and, in some cases, the Finnish Embassy.
Note: There might be exceptions for applicants from certain EU/EEA countries or those using the European Professional Card (EPC). Confirm the requirements from EDUFI to avoid making errors.
How we help: certified translations
When applying for credential recognition, any document not originally in Finnish, Swedish, or English must be submitted with an official translation.
Translayte provides certified translations that meet the Finnish National Agency for Education’s (EDUFI) standards for accuracy and completeness. Every translation includes a signed certification statement confirming it’s an accurate and complete version of the original document.
Our document translation services include academic records, diplomas, transcripts, and other supporting materials in over 150 languages. We also provide notarisation and apostille services when required.
Clients use Translayte when applying EDUFI credential recognition for:
Certified translations accepted by EDUFI and Finnish authorities
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With Translayte, you get accurate, compliant, and ready-to-submit certified translation for your EDUFI recognition process. Don't allow poorly translated documents to delay your Finland work or study plans. Request a free quote to translate your academic documents with Translayte.
