The directive establishes rules according to which a member state must recognise professional qualifications acquired by an EU or EEA citizen in other another member state. The directive specifies for example what kind of documents the competent authority may require as appendices to an application for recognition of professional qualification.

The decision-making is based on Act on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications (1384/2015). The Act has implemented the EU Professional Qualifications Directive into national law in Finland. This act is applied to recognition of professional qualifications gained by an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen in an EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland.