Moving to Helsinki
There are many things to consider when moving to Helsinki from abroad
Our First Steps Checklist aims to make the process smoother for you. A single visit to International House Helsinki once you arrive will allow you to complete many steps on the list at once.
First Steps Checklist
Are you moving to Helsinki? Answer the three questions below to get personalised information about your first steps. After the questions, you will find a few more important things to take care of upon your arrival. Once you have completed all of the items on this checklist, you will be good to go!
1. What is your citizenship?
EU citizens have the same rights as Finnish citizens to work, study and start a business in Finland. Therefore, they do not need a residence permit.
Staying less than 90 days
As an EU citizen, you can stay and work freely in Finland for up to three months with only a valid identity card or passport.
Staying more than 90 days
If you end up staying or plan to stay in Finland for more than three months, however, you must register your right of residence with the Finnish Immigration Service. The application must be submitted within three months of the day of your arrival, at the latest. To complete the registration, you must book an appointment and visit a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service. The immigration authorities will ask you at this time to prove that you can earn your own livelihood and meet the requirements for registration. The first link below has more information on these requirements.
After this, you need to register your municipality of residence with the population register. Once you have registered in person with these two authorities, you will receive a personal identity code. This means you will be considered a Helsinki resident and be entitled to municipal services.
Citizens of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway or Sweden) have the same right to work, study and start a business in Finland as Finnish citizens. Therefore, they do not need a residence permit.
However, you do need to submit a notification of move and present a valid passport or photo ID in person at the population register within a month of moving to Finland.
Staying less than 90 days
Citizens of non-EU countries who visit Finland for fewer than 90 days (as a tourist, visiting family, or on business) need a visa, unless they are citizens of a visa-exempt country. The foreign ministry website link below has more information on different visa requirements.
If you plan to work in Finland, you may need a residence permit even if your stay will be shorter than 90 days. Citizens of non-EU countries who plan to stay for more than 90 days must apply for a residence permit (see section below).
Staying more than 90 days
Citizens of non-EU countries who plan to come to Finland for more than 90 days must first apply for a residence permit from the Finnish Immigration Service. It is not possible to apply for a residence permit on another person’s behalf.
The type of residence permit you need to apply for depends on your reason for coming to Finland. Residence permit applications are different if you plan to 1) work in Finland, 2) be with a family member in Finland, 3) study in Finland, 4) return migrate to Finland, or 5) come to Finland on other grounds.
You can apply for a residence permit online at EnterFinland.fi, but within three months of submitting the application, you will need to visit a Finnish mission (embassy or consulate) in person to confirm your identity and present original copies of your application appendices. Check if your documents must be translated or legalised before your scheduled visit.
Applicants must wait for their residence permit decisions in the same country they submitted the application.
Once the Finnish Immigration Service has granted you a residence permit and you have moved to Finland, you must register your municipality of residence with the population register. You will then be assigned a Finnish personal identity code. This means you will be considered a Helsinki resident and be entitled to municipal services.
Are you already in Finland?
If you are already in Finland, within three months of submitting your application for a residence permit, you must visit the Finnish Immigration Service in person to confirm your identity and present original copies of your application appendices. Check if your documents must be translated or legalised before your scheduled visit.
2. What is the purpose of your stay?
You will need a tax card from the Tax Administration before you can start working. If you work in construction, you will also need a tax number. In order to get a tax card, you will need a personal identity code. If you have not received a personal identity code yet, you can apply for a temporary one at the tax office. You need to register at the population register (DVV) in person to receive a permanent personal identity code.
EU/EEA citizen
In order to get a tax card, you will need a personal identity code. If you have not received a personal identity code yet, you can apply for a temporary one at the tax office. You will be asked to show your employment contract, proof of completed EU registration (if you have been in Finland more than three months), and a valid passport or photo ID in order to receive this temporary code.
EU citizens may stay in Finland for up to 90 days as jobseekers without needing to inform the authorities. After 90 days, they must register as a jobseeker with Helsinki’s Employment Services. Upon registration, EU citizens must present Helsinki Employment Services with an official EU form showing that they were a registered jobseeker in their country of origin. If they cannot provide this form, the service is not obliged to provide job-seeking assistance.
Nordic citizen
Citizens of the Nordic countries have the same right to work, study and start a business in Finland as Finnish citizens. You are nevertheless responsible for earning your own livelihood.
If you have not received a personal identity code yet, you can apply for a temporary one at the tax office. You will need to present a signed employment contract and a valid passport or photo ID to receive this code.
Non-EU citizen
Citizens of non-EU countries who plan to come to Finland to work must first secure a job here and apply for a residence permit for employed persons before they enter the country. The employer in question must also complete a form and append it to the residence permit application.
If you already have a residence permit for Finland based on some other grounds, such as family ties, you may already have the right to work. A few special residence permits are granted for specialists, researchers and seasonal work. You can find more information in the Finnish Immigration Service link below.
Please note that if your only reason for moving to Finland is to study, you will likely not be eligible for state-supported social benefits, as you will be considered a temporary resident. See the state benefits agency link below for more information.
EU/EEA citizens
If you have come to Helsinki to study and you are an EU citizen, you must register your right of residence with the Finnish Immigration Service. During this registration, you must show your certificate of attendance from a Finnish learning institution.
Nordic citizen
If you have come to Helsinki to study and you are a Nordic citizen, you must submit a notification of move to the population register. You may need to show your certificate of attendance from a Finnish learning institution.
Non-EU citizen
Citizens of non-EU countries who plan on coming to Finland to study must already have been granted a study place before they can apply for a residence permit based on studies.
Non-EU citizens are required to pay tuition fees. See the link below for more information.
Are you planning to work while you study?
If you are planning to work or start a business while you study, you will need to apply for a tax card from the Tax Administration. If you work in construction, you will also need a tax number. In order to get a tax card, you will need a personal identity code. If you have not received a personal identity code yet, you can apply for one at the tax office.
3. Are you a minor or moving with family?
EU/EEA citizen
If you are under 18 years old, you must have written consent from your guardian(s) to move to Finland. A notary public or other comparable authority must confirm this written consent document.
You must submit this proof of consent to the Finnish Immigration Service when you register your right of residence. The registration application must be submitted within three months of the day of arrival at the latest.
Nordic citizen
If you are under 18 years old, you must have written consent from your guardian(s) to move to Finland. A notary public or other comparable authority must confirm this written consent document.
You must submit this proof of consent in person when you submit your notification of move to the population register.
Non-EU citizen
If you are under the age of 18, you must have written consent from your guardian(s) to move to Finland. A notary or other comparable authority must confirm the document of consent.
This proof of consent must be submitted to the Finnish Immigration Service when applying for your residence permit.
EU/EEA citizen
Family members of citizens of EU countries have the right to move to Finland to be with their family. If your family members are also citizens of EU countries, after their arrival they must register their right of residence with the Finnish Immigration Service. The registration application must be submitted within three months of the day of arrival at the latest.
If your family members wishing to move to Finland are not EU citizens, they must apply for a Residence card for a family member of an EU citizen and meet the requirements set by the Finnish Immigration Service.
Family members who are granted a right of residence by the immigration authorities must then register their municipality of residence with the population register (Dvv.fi). After this, they will receive a personal identity code. This means they will be considered Helsinki residents and be entitled to municipal services.
Nordic citizen
Family members who are citizens of Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway or Sweden) have the same right to work, study and start a business in Finland as Finnish citizens. Therefore, they do not need a residence permit.
However, they do need to submit a notification of move and present a valid passport or photo ID in person at the population register within a month of moving to Finland.
If you are a Nordic citizen but your family members are not EU citizens, they must follow the same steps listed above.
Non-EU citizen
If you are have received a residence permit from Finland and family members of yours who is not a EU citizen wishes to move to Finland to join you, they must apply on their own for a residence permit from the Finnish Immigration Service. Applicants must wait for their residence permit decisions in the same country they submitted the application.
In most cases, you must also have proof of sufficient funds to support both yourself and your family members in Finland. The required income varies by family size.
Please note that as a rule, Finnish law defines family as the nuclear family, so unless you can prove that for example your parents or siblings are solely dependent on your care, they will likely not be granted a residence permit based on this kind of family tie. See the website of the Finnish Immigration Service below for more information.
After your family members have their residence permits and have moved to Finland, they must then register their municipality of residence at the population register. Once they have registered with these two authorities, they will receive personal identity codes. This means they will be considered Helsinki residents and be entitled to municipal services. They will also be eligible to work and study in the same way as other residents of the city.
Other important first steps
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4. Arrange to use an interpreter, if necessary
If you do not speak Finnish or Swedish, you have the right to use an interpreter when interacting with some public authorities. Interpreter services must be arranged in advance and often come at no cost.
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5. Open a bank account
Book an in-person visit at your bank of choice to open an account. Ask beforehand about the documents you will need to show them. Remember to request access codes for online banking.
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6. Set up a form of strong identification
You will need to acquire a form of strong identification, i.e., online banking codes, a mobile ID or a police-issued ID card, to use various e-services in Finland.
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7. Find a place to live and buy home insurance
Almost all rental agreements will require you to buy home insurance. Some banks in Finland offer bundled banking and insurance services at a discount, so ask around for different offers. Click on the link below to go to our Housing in Helsinki section, where you will find more helpful information about finding a home.
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8. Buy a phone and internet service
You must have a personal identity code and Finnish address to buy a mobile service and/or broadband subscription. If you do not have a credit history in Finland, you will be asked to make an advance payment. If you do not yet have an ID code or address, you can purchase a pre-paid subscription. Check if your housing agreement includes broadband before you buy a subscription from an operator. When buying a subscription, let your operator know if you want to use a mobile ID.
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9. Use your Kela card and learn about state benefits
If you are eligible for national health insurance in Finland, you will be issued a Kela card. You can also apply for it yourself from the Kela state benefits agency. You will need to show this card to receive state-supported healthcare and subsidies. Each Kela benefit must be applied for separately, and decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. Find a guide to using Helsinki’s local health stations and dental clinics by clicking on the link that leads to our Health services section.
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10. Make it a habit to use public transport
Public transport in Helsinki is convenient, reliable and eco-friendly. The handy HSL app allows you to buy tickets and access the Journey Planner on your mobile phone. Check our section on Public transport for more information.
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11. Exchange your driving license
Driving licenses issued in EU/EEA countries are valid in Finland indefinitely, but it is a good idea to exchange your license for a Finnish one if you plan to live here permanently. Owners of driving licenses issued by other countries will need to pass a Finnish driving exam if they do not exchange their license by the deadline. Learn more via the Ajokortti-info link below.
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12. Sign up for Finnish or Swedish language lessons
While it is true that almost everyone in Helsinki speaks English, we suggest you start learning one or both of the national languages right away, as it will bring many advantages. Check Finnishcourses.fi for suitable courses near you.
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13. Explore your new home
Once you have settled in, take some time to get to know Helsinki’s different neighbourhoods. See the MyHelsinki website and our sections on Nature and Free-time activities for fun things to see and do!
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14. Enjoy your new life in Helsinki!
Congratulations! You have now finished all the steps and are ready to start your Helsinki adventure.
Things to consider before your move
- If you arrive from outside the EU, you must declare the personal property you bring into the country to the Finnish customs authorities. This includes domestic goods, furniture, bicycles, motor vehicles and trailers intended for private use.
- If you wish to bring a pet when moving to Helsinki from abroad, the Finnish Food Safety Authority provides detailed instructions on the import of animals.
- If you bring a car with you when moving to Helsinki, you must register it, buy insurance and pay a car tax before you can use it in traffic.
International House Helsinki
If you have just arrived in the Helsinki area as a newcomer, one of your very first stops should be International House Helsinki. This is because International House Helsinki was created just for you! There you will find many different service advisors who will be able to answer all of your questions about relocating.
Located conveniently near the Helsinki city centre at Lintulahdenkuja 2D, 2nd floor, International House Helsinki is open Mon–Thurs 9–16 and Fri 9–15. It is a good idea to contact IHH first at tel. +358 9 310 111 11 or info@ihhelsinki.fi and make an appointment. The video below gives you a good idea of what to expect.