You have considered Europe to immigrate to and build a life you want for yourself and your family. It’s one of the top destinations that welcome immigrants and skilled workers. They need skilled workers after the Covid-19 pandemic. This page of the Visa Library brings you how to immigrate and work in Finland as a pharmacist. You will get answers to all of your questions.
Finland visa options for pharmacists.
If you need a visa to enter Finland, these visa options help you in the process of becoming a pharmacist in Finland.
Finland work visa
When you want to work in Finland as a foreign person, you need a Finland work visa. You need it if you are from a non-EU county, and EU member states do not need a visa to work in Finland. Before you apply for a visa, you need a work permit. To apply for a work permit, you need to find a Finnish employer and reach an agreement for employment with him/her. You apply to Finland officials, and after the work permit is issued, you apply for a work visa to enter the country.
Finland student visa.
If you study in a foreign country, you need to send your degree and documents to Finnish officials for recognition. They assess the quality and quantity of your degree and decide whether you can work in Finland or not.
But if you study in Finland and get a degree from one of the universities and education centers, you do not need recognition. The process of becoming a pharmacist becomes easier and faster. But you must get admission from a Finnish university or education center and then apply for a Finland student visa.
Finland visitor visa.
Some of non-EU countries are exempt from a visa for entering Finland and visiting friends, family, and tourist attractions. If you are a national of one of these countries, you can enter Finland with your passport and stay for up to 90 days.
If you want to become a pharmacist there, you can use this opportunity to find a job and immigrate there. But if you are not among the visa-waived countries, you can apply for a Finland visitor visa or a tourist visa to find a job. Remember that a Finland tourist visa doesn’t permit you to work there. You can just use it to find a job.
Pharmacy jobs in Finland for foreigners.
Finland is one of the countries that need skilled workers, and they need pharmacists. You might end up in various job titles, and it’s up to the necessity and the available position.
Also, your work experience, education, and qualifications are among the determining factors. When you apply for positions, consider the options that you might end up working in one of them:
- Clinical research associate
- Regulatory affairs
- Higher education lecturer
- Academia
- Medical sales representative
- Nuclear pharmacists
- Medical science liaison
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Pharmacologist
- Long-term care pharmacists.
- Physician associate
- Clinical specialists
- Product/process development scientist
- Inpatient pharmacists.
- Regulatory affairs officer
- Compounding pharmacists
- Research scientist (life sciences)
- Ambulatory care pharmacists
- Science writer
- Community pharmacists.
- Toxicologist
The best cities to work as a pharmacist in Finland.
There are always a higher number of job positions in larger cities. So it is with pharmacists who want to immigrate to Finland. You can find a job better in these cities as there are more companies or factories there. But you might also be able to find a job in other cities:
- Helsinki
- Tampere
- Turku
- Oulu
- Jyväskylä
- Lahti
- Kuopio
- Pori
- Joensuu
- Vaasa
- Lappeenranta
- Rovaniemi
You can find more information about the above cities; the factories, universities, drugstores, or any company type you can work as a pharmacist.
This list can also help you to pick a place to live in Finland. It’s the most popular city in Finland. There is a reason that each one of them has become popular, and you should find out why. Determine if they hold the factors that you prefer or want, and whether you can find a job in them or not.
- Helsinki
- Rovaniemi
- Tampere
- Turku
- Jyvaskyla
- Oulu
- Rauma
- Savonlinna
- Vaasa
- Porvoo
The process you have to follow to become a pharmacist in Finland.
When you study for a pharmacy degree outside of Finland, you can immigrate and work there. But you need to pass a procedure called recognition. You need to send your documents to Valvira (National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health). They evaluate your application, degree, or diploma and decide whether you are eligible to work as a pharmacist in Finland or not.
The process you have to follow depends on your nationality and the area you get your degree. It’s different for EU and non-EU nationals.
Pharmacists from EU/EEA member states.
If you get your degree from an EU/EEA member state, you need to follow this procedure.
For the first step, you need to gather the list of supporting documents to send to Valvira. This is the list of the documents you have to gather:
The Application from. It is provided in two languages:
- Identification and nationality document (ID card and passport).
- Degree certificate.
- The certificate that indicates you have the right to practice a medical profession in your home country. In this case, it’s the right to practice pharmacy. It can not be older than 3 months ago at the time of application.
- Certificates issued by a competent authority. It must state how your professional qualifications fulfill the requirements of Directive 2005/36/EC.
- Translation of your documents into one of the following languages;
- Finnish,
- Swedish
- English
If you complete the translation in Finland, it must be issued by an authorized translator in Finland. You can find the list of them from this link. The translation office must be verified in the EU/EEA if not in Finland.
- Finnish language proficiency certificate.
You will have to submit a language proficiency certificate in Finnish or Swedish.
There are various ways to prove your language fluency. The two of them are;
- Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate (Satisfactory skills’ in all skills.)
- National Certificate of Language Proficiency ( intermediate level test, levels 3–4)
The other ways you can prove your language fluency and be exempt from taking a language test are as follows;
- Having finished a Finnish high school.
- Having a certificate from a Finnish upper secondary school.
- Having a certificate that says you have finished courses in Finnish or Swedish.
- Having a certificate that says you have finished a Finnish or Swedish vocational qualification.
- Having a certificate that you have completed your studies in Finnish for civil servants or Swedish for civil servants at a university.
- Have a document from your employer that says you are fluent in Finnish or Swedish.
The above list is not a defined or complete list of the document, and Valvira could ask for further supporting documents.
You have to send your application to Valvira;
Postal address:
P.O. Box 210, FI-00281 Helsinki
Street address:
Mannerheimintie 103b, 00280 Helsinki
Processing by Valvira.
You should remember that Valvira will not return any of your original documents and will not make a copy of them. So you should keep a copy of your document for yourself.
Valvira will begin processing your application after receiving all of your documents. The processing time is about 3 months. But it could take longer.
You must pay the processing fee for the application process as well. Check the refund policy, as you have to pay even if your application gets rejected. You should check the fee with Valvira, as it’s different for each stage of the decision and application.
Valvira will inform you of the result of whether you are eligible or qualified to work as a pharmacist in Finland or not.
After you get your license, you can move to Finland and begin your work. You, as an EU national, do not need a valid work permit or visa from the officials to work in Finland. You just need to inform the officials of your presence.
Pharmacists from non-EU/EEA countries.
If you got your pharmacy degree from outside of the EU/EEA, you need to follow this procedure;
First, you have to send your documents and requirements to Valvira for assessment or recognition. This is a list of the document you have to send them;
- Application form:
- A copy of your ID card and passport.
- A copy of your degree certificate. If you can not submit this document, you need to submit an explanation letter that explains the reason.
- A certificate from the competent authority in which you have worked as a pharmacist. It can not be older than 3 months ago at the time of application. It must clarify that you have the right to work as a pharmacist and have not been restricted or withdrawn.
- Translation. If your documents are not in English, Swedish, or Finnish, you must have them translated into one of these languages by a verified translation office. It must be either in Finland or an EU/EEA country. You can ask your home country’s Finnish embassy/consulate about the approved translation offices.
- Language proficiency certificate.
You must submit a language proficiency certificate in Finnish or Swedish.
There are various ways to prove your language fluency. The two of them are;
- Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate (Satisfactory skills’ in all skills.)
- National Certificate of Language Proficiency ( intermediate level test, levels 3–4)
The other ways you can prove your language fluency and be exempt from taking a language test are as follows;
- Having finished a Finnish high school.
- Having a certificate from a Finnish upper secondary school.
- Having a certificate that says you have finished courses in Finnish or Swedish.
- Having a certificate that says you have finished a Finnish or Swedish vocational qualification.
- Having a certificate that you have completed studies in Finnish for civil servants or Swedish for civil servants at a university.
- Have a document from your employer that says you are fluent in Finnish or Swedish.
The above list is not a defined or complete list of the document, and Valvira could ask for further supporting documents.
- Appendix of the degree certificate. (like: diploma supplement, academic transcript).
Note; The above-provided list is not a complete and definite list of the document, and Valvira could ask for further supporting documents. You should remember that Valvira will not return any of your documents and won’t make any copies of your document. So if you need your copies, you should make and keep an extra case for yourself.
Your original document must be legalized in the country you received it and completed your training. You have to use the Apostille or Grand Legalisation procedure. The person and his/her position who sign the degree certificate and his/her right to sign it must be verified as well.
If you can not get the legalized version of your document, you need to submit an official e-mail address for the educational institution so Valvira can verify your degree.
The copies of the document you submit must be verified copies of the documents.
You need to send your documents to Valvira email address;
kirjaamo(at)valvira.fi
In case you want to send confidential information, you have to send them through secure mail.
Processing and decision on your application.
Valvira begins processing your application after receiving all of the documents. They might require further supporting documents or verification of your documents.
The average processing time is about 4 months, but it could take longer. You have to pay a fee for the final decision, and it doesn’t matter what the decision is. Even if their answer after the processing is negative, you have to pay a fee to Valvira. They will tell you about the results and whether you can work as a pharmacist in Finland or not. If the answer is positive, they will send you the certificate or license to work as a pharmacist in Finland to your email address.
Passing an internship in Finland.
After you get your license, you might have to pass an internship in Finland. But Valvira doesn’t provide information on this part. They will inform you of the further procedure you have to follow.
Find a job in Finland as a non-EU person.
After you get your license to work as a pharmacist in Finland, you need to find a job there. It’s a must to find a job as you need an employment contract with a Finnish employer to apply for a work permit. You will have to find a Finnish employer who needs your skills and is ready to hire you.
You can utilize different ways to find a job as a pharmacist in Finland. Let’s examine some of them in this section.
Websites to find a job in Finland as a pharmacist.
The first way to find a job in Finland as a pharmacist is to look for a position through the websites that advertise job positions. This is a list of such websites:
- Monster Finland
- Tiptopjob Finland
- Jobs in Helsinki
- Duunitori
- Te- Palvelut
- Careerjet Finland
- Monster.fi
- Indeed Finland
- Rekrytointi.com
- Learn4Good
- Oikotie
- The Hub
- Glassdoor
- Rekrytointi.com
The above list is a sample, and you might be able to find other websites or sources to find a job in Finland. But they are the best websites to find a job in Finland as a pharmacist or any other profession you have. You must prepare or update your resume and apply for the available positions in them. If you are good enough and your resume is outstanding, employers will reach you for an interview. Then the process goes on, and you will sign an employment letter with the employer.
Recruiters or employment agencies to find a job in Finland as a pharmacist.
The other way you use to find a job in Finland is t get help from recruiters or employment agencies. These are the companies that connect employers and employees. In this case, they will connect you, as a pharmacist, to drugstores or medical companies.
This is a list of these companies.
- StaffPoint
- aTalent Recruiting
- Adecco
- Finnwards
- Horton International
- Barona
- Eezy
You need to send them your resume so they will find you a job. Determine if they can help you with your occupation or not.
Visit Finland to find a job as a pharmacist.
You can also visit Finland to find a job as a pharmacist. There is no job seeker visa like the one Germany provides to non-EU nationals to find a job in this country.
If you are among the visa waived-countries, you can enter Finland with your passport and stay for up to 90 days. It’s enough to have a face-to-face interview and meet employers to persuade them to hire you.
If you are not among the visa-waived countries, you can apply for a Finland tourist visa to enter the country and find a job. Find more information about the Finland tourist visa from the Visa Library article on the menu.
After you find the job, you need to sign an employment contract with the employer. It’s part of the supporting documents. It has to explain every part of the employment and its details:
- Salary
- Starting date
- Duration of employment.
- Location,
- Tasks and responsibilities
- Confidentiality.
- Etc.
Finland work permit and work visa.
After you finalize the employment contract with the Finnish employer, one side needs to apply for a work permit. He/she must submit the supporting documents and application to the Finnish immigration official.
You can find more information about the Finland work permit, work visa, and the procedure you have to follow from the Visa Library article or watch the video we have prepared on our YouTube channel.
Pharmacists’ salary in Finland.
Your salary as a pharmacist in Finland is up to various factors:
- Work experience
- Education.
- Language fluency
- The position you have.
- Tasks and responsibilities.
- The company you work with.
- Etc.
According to the Salary Explorer website, the average salary of a pharmacist in Finland is about 6,020 EUR per every month. This source says that the lowest salary is about 2,830 EUR, while the highest figure is about 9,520 EUR per month.
According to world salaries, the average annual salary of a pharmacist is about 70,840 EUR per year, with an average monthly salary of about 5,903 EUR. It says that the lowest annual salary is about 35,560 EUR, with the lowest monthly salary of 2,963 EUR, and the highest annual salary is about 113,840 EUR, with the highest monthly salary of about 9,486 EUR.
This is while Paylab indicates that the salary range is 2,230 EUR-4,811 EUR.
Do I need language proficiency to become a pharmacist in Finland?
Yes, you need a Finnish or Swedish language proficiency certificate to become a pharmacist in Finland. You need to submit the certificate along with the other documents to Valvira. You need one of these language proficiency certificates:
- National Certificate of Language Proficiency: Skills level 4 in all subtests
- Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate: Skills level ‘Good’ in the oral and written skills tests
There are some cases that exempt you from a language proficiency certificate. Look at the above section to learn about them.
How can I become a pharmacist in Finland with a foreign degree?
You must send your diploma or degree along with the rest of the documents and language proficiency certificate to Valvira. They assess your application and determine whether you are eligible and qualified to work as a pharmacist in Finland or not.
If the answer is positive, you can look for a job offer and apply for a work permit after finding it.
Let’s sum up…
The Visa Library team brought you how to immigrate and work in Finland as a pharmacist. You learned about the requirements and the procedures you have to follow to become a pharmacist in Finland. This is your ultimate guide for immigration to Finland as a pharmacist.
If you have questions regarding the process, write them down in the comment section.
Frequently asked questions about immigration to Finland as a pharmacist.
Do I need language proficiency to work as a pharmacist in Finland?
Yes, you need a Finnish or Swedish language proficiency certificate.
Can I work as a pharmacist in Finland with a foreign degree?
Yes, but you need to pass the recognition process.
Are pharmacists well-paid in Finland?
Yes, they are well-paid and get enough salary to have a normal well life in the country.