The Ministry of the Environment has issued a decision extending the transition period of competencies approved by municipal building permit authorities between 2020 and 2024 until the beginning of 2030. The decision also applies to professionals who completed their degrees outside the EU and EEA.
Architects holding a competency approved by building permit authorities between 2020 and 2024 may continue working in corresponding construction design duties until the beginning of 2030 – regardless of the level or type of construction project.
The decision on the transitional period is significant: without it, professionals with degrees from outside the EU and EEA would have lost the right to continue in their current roles from 1 January 2027 onwards.
However, the extended transitional period does not enable practice for designers who completed their degrees in so-called third countries but do not hold a competency decision granted between 2020 and 2024. A considerable proportion of these individuals are Finnish citizens.
“The Ministry must urgently initiate the preparation of legislation that enables the recognition of construction sector higher education degrees completed in third countries,” says Pia Selroos, Senior Adviser at SAFA.
Following the entry into force of the Building Act at the beginning of 2025, construction design and site management roles became regulated professions. Competency must now be demonstrated by a certificate issued by an organisation authorised by the Ministry of the Environment.
In April, SAFA and RIL urged decision-makers to resolve the unreasonable situation facing many professionals and to extend the transitional period until the necessary legislation is in place.
The Ministry of the Environment is currently examining amendments to the legislation. SAFA continues its advocacy work to ensure that a permanent pathway is established for construction professionals with degrees from third countries to demonstrate their competency.
Although the transitional period extends to 2030, it is advisable to apply for a certificate on competence well in advance.
As an agency authorised by the Ministry of the Environment, SAFA grants its full members the qualifications up to the standard level of competence required of building designers and verifies the equivalence of foreign qualifications. A certificate of competence or degree verification is available on request.
Applications for higher certificates of competence for construction design duties can be filed with FISE.