If you have acquired your education or worked in another member state of the European Union or the European Economic Area, and wish to work in Estonia, check whether your qualification (education and/or work experience) is also recognised in Estonia. Work traditions and education systems may differ in member states. Therefore, the professional qualification you have acquired abroad may differ from the requirements set for similar jobs in Estonia. This means that before commencing work in Estonia, you should check if, and to what extent, the foreign professional qualification is recognised locally.
In Estonia, the recognition of professional qualifications is coordinated by the Ministry of Education and Research.
Information about the recognition of Estonian professional qualifications is given by the Estonian ENIC/NARIC.
In all Member States of the European Union, help centres can be contacted to ask for advice regarding the recognition of professional qualification. In Estonia please contact:
- Ministry of Education and Research: Sigrid Ester Tani, Adult Education and Skills Department, [email protected], phone +372 55589851 or
- Estonian ENIC/NARIC Office: Vallo Kelder [email protected], phone +372 697 9216.
The working languages of the Estonian assistance centres for professional qualifications are Estonian and English.
Is my professional qualification recognised in Estonia
Check whether the position you wish to apply for in Estonia is in the list of regulated professions. If so, you need to undergo the recognition process for the professional qualification before commencing work.
Regulated professions or professional activities are those that require specific education or work experience, as set in Estonian legislation.
If you are a doctor, dentist, nurse, midwife, veterinarian, dispensing chemist, or architect (the so-called sectoral professions), you can be recognised automatically.
How are professional qualifications recognised
If you wish to commence work in a regulated profession in Estonia, you must apply for recognition of your qualification. To do so, contact the competent authority in your area of activity. The competent authority decides whether the education or work experience you have acquired abroad is sufficient for working in the same profession in Estonia. If so, the professional qualification you have acquired abroad will be recognised, and you will be able to work in the regulated profession. If there are substantial differences (e.g. in the content of the education or professional activity), the competent authority may impose compensation measures (adaptation period or aptitude test).
To apply for the recognition of professional qualification of a regulated health care profession (doctor, dentist, nurse, midwife, pharmacist, pharmaceutical assistant), contact the Health Board. Contact: [email protected]
To apply for the recognition of professional qualification of a veterinarian, contact the Agriculture and Food Board. Contact: [email protected]
To apply for the recognition of professional qualification of a teacher, contact the Ministry of Education and Research. Contact: [email protected]
To apply for the recognition of professional qualification in construction (including the profession of architect), contact the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority. Contact: [email protected]
If you need help with other regulated professions, contact the Ministry of Education and Research. Contact: [email protected]
Applicants must submit an application to a competent authority as well as
- a copy of the personal data page of the identity document
- a copy of the receipt certifying payment of the state fee
- the original or a certified copy of the professional certificate (diploma, certificate, attestation of competence) acquired abroad
- any supporting documents the competent authority may require, e.g. evidence of completing apprenticeship or having the required professional experience, professional activity licence issued in the home country of the applicant, medical certificate, etc. If necessary, the competent authority is also entitled to demand translations of documents that are in a foreign language.
A state fee is payable to cover the costs of recognition.
You will be notified of a decision within 4 months of the application date. Applicants have the right to lodge an appeal against the decision to the Ministry of Education and Research, a coordinating authority, or an administrative court.
Read more about the recognition decision on the website of the Estonian ENIC/NARIC.
Professionals benefiting from the recognition of professional qualifications shall have a knowledge of languages necessary for practising the profession in the host Member State. Controls may be imposed if the profession to be practised has patient safety implications. Controls may be imposed in respect of other professions in cases where there is a serious and concrete doubt about the sufficiency of the professional’s language knowledge in respect of the professional activities that that professional intends to pursue. Controls may be carried out only after the recognition of a professional qualification. Any language controls shall be proportionate to the activity to be pursued.
Who can use the European Professional Card
The European Professional Card is an electronic procedure to have professional qualifications recognised in another EU country. Currently, the European Professional Card procedure can only be used if you are a nurse responsible for general care, a pharmacist, a physiotherapist, a mountain guide, or a real estate agent.
Instructions for applying for a European Professional Card can be found in the portal Your Europe.
Cross-border activities and regulated education
More information about applying for permanent provision of services and for temporary provision of services can be found on the website Your Europe. More information about regulated education can be found on the website of the Estonian ENIC/NARIC.
Related articles
References
- Estonian ENIC/NARIC
- Professional recognition
- Academic recognition
- Professional qualifications recognition in EU
- Free movement of professionals
- ENIC/NARIC
Laws
- Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications Act
- Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the recognition of professional qualifications