Anna Sophie Liebst
June 8, 2020
In my job, I’m often contacted by people who want to work as a nurse in one of the Nordic countries. I have written this guide about how to get authorization as a nurse in each of the Nordic countries, how to find a job, which union to belong to, and general information about working and living in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
The number one requirement to work as a nurse in any of the Nordic countries is a degree in general nursing.
To be considered for authorization, EU/EEA citizens must have qualifications that entitle them to work in their home country. Applicants with education from outside the EU/EEA are subject to additional requirements.
Authorization: In Finland you must have a license to practice as a nurse. Therefore, when aiming to work as a nurse in Finland, you need to contact first the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) in order to apply for the right to practice.
On Valvira.fi you will find more information about the requirements for nurses in Finland with an education from outside the EU/EEA countries.
Job-hunting: You can browse job vacancies on the TE Office website.
Working in Finland: When you are thinking about working and living in Finland, this collection of useful tips and tricks in The official guide to Work in Finland will make your job hunt and relocation to Finland easier.
Authorization: If you want to work as a nurse in Denmark, you must apply for and obtain a Danish authorization/registration as a nurse. In Denmark, it is only 'The Danish Patient Safety Authority' that has permission to issue these authorizations.
On their website, you will find more information about the additional requirements for nurses in Denmark with an education from outside the EU/EEA countries.
Job-hunting: Jobnet is the public job centers’ website for all job seekers and employers in Denmark. Jobnet enables you to search for a job among the vacant jobs in Denmark.
Working in Denmark: When you are thinking about working and living in Denmark, this collection of useful tips and tricks in The official guide to Work in Denmark will make your job hunt and relocation to Denmark easier.
Authorization: To work as a healthcare practitioner in Sweden, you need to obtain a license. The prerequisites vary according to where you were educated. At Socialstyrelsen you can apply for a license.
You will find more information about the additional requirements for nurses in Sweden with an education from outside the EU/EEA countries.
Job-hunting: You can start your job search on Sweden's employment website. In addition, the employment service also offers useful advice and tools to help you find work.
Working in Sweden: When you are thinking about working and living in Sweden, this collection of useful tips and tricks in The official guide to Work in Sweden will make your job hunt and relocation to Sweden easier.
Authorization: To work as nurse in Norway, you have to contact the Directorate for Health and Social Affairs, who is responsible for authorization of nurses in Norway.
You will find more information about the additional requirements for nurses in Norway with an education from outside the EU/EEA countries.
Job-hunting: Most vacancies in Norway are listed on the Internet. All job vacancies published in Norway can be found in the NAV job database.
Working in Norway: When you are thinking about working and living in Norway, this collection of useful tips and tricks in The official guide to Work in Norway will make your job hunt and relocation to Norway easier.
ÍSLAND
Authorization: If you are seeking to practice nursing in Iceland, you are required to possess an Icelandic nursing license, which must be recognized by the Ministry of Health and Social Security. You must send the relevant papers to the Icelandic Ministry of Health and Social Security.
On Hjukrun.is you will find more information about the additional requirements for nurses in Iceland with an education from outside the EU/EEA countries. You will find more specific information on nurse registration in Iceland on Icelandreview.com.
Job-hunting: In addition to job recruitment services, the employment offices of the Directorate of Labor provide information on the labor market situation and outlook and free counselling on study and career choices and seeking work.
Working in Iceland: When you are thinking about working and living in Iceland, this collection of useful tips and tricks in The official guide to Work in Iceland will make your job hunt and relocation to Iceland easier.
Moving to a Nordic country as a Nordic and/or EU/EEA citizen
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden constitute the Nordic countries. The Nordic countries have an agreement that states that Nordic citizens have a right to live in whichever Nordic country they choose. You do not need to apply for a residence permit. If you want to live in another Nordic country, you simply need to register with the national register.
As an EU citizen, you have the right to work, study or live in any EU/EEA country without a residence permit. You also have the right to start and operate a private business. The right of EU citizens to stay in another EU/EEA country without a residence permit is called the right of residence. You have the right of residence if you are employed, self-employed, a student, or have enough means to support yourself. If you have the right of residence, you do not need to contact the Migration Agency, you need to register with the national register.
National register in the Nordic countries:
Moving to a Nordic country as a
non-EU/EEA citizen
If you or your family are citizens of a non-EU country and you intend to live in Sweden, you can apply for residence permits and work permits in accordance with each country’s national rules. The main rule is that you must apply for and obtain a residence permit before entering the country you plan to move to.
Migration authority in the Nordic countries:
What is it like to live in the Nordic region?
All Nordic countries are among the top 10 in the Family Life Index. They also do well for digital life, safety and security, and health and well-being. Most foreigners enjoy the work-life balance but are quite often dissatisfied with their career prospects, and the high cost of living is a frequent cause for complaint.
Living in the Nordic countries you get access to affordable childcare and education, an amazing environment, and a great work-life balance. However, throughout the Nordic region, foreign people suffer from social isolation and struggle with settling in.
It can be hard to move to another country, and it can be hard to make friends in a new country – and so even in the Nordic countries. Being a foreigner and getting used to local habits and different cultures is always a challenge – but also very rewarding.
The Danes are outspoken, the Finns are silent, the Icelanders are private, the Norwegians are family orientated, and the Swedes are punctual.
To some, the Nordic people may seem a little private at first – not wanting to intrude on other people’s personal space uninvited. Nordic people don’t really make small talk unless provoked and they often keep their friends from childhood.
While they all might seem reserved at first, you will usually find the people of the Nordic countries fun-loving once you get to know them. The best advice is to make the first move - go ahead and say hello. You’ll soon discover that most of the people of this region are very approachable, friendly, and helpful.
