Settling in Espoo

Information service for immigrants

At the information service for immigrants, you can ask about several Espoo services and receive help for dealing with the authorities.

Iso Omena
Service Centre
Suomenlahdentie 1
02230 Espoo

Tel. 040 636 8097

Service Point

Information on Espoo’s services is available from the Service Points (Asiointipiste) of the City of Espoo. The Service Points are located throughout the city. More detailed contact information can be found on the website of the City of Espoo.

The shared phone number for the Service Points is: 09 816 57070 and e-mail: info(at)espoo.fi.

Chat services

You can also ask about City services in the chat, that is, by typing into the chat window. The City’s website also has a multilingual chatbot.

Kivenkolo

The Kivenkolo Community Centre is an active "living room" open to everyone, where you can receive advice and guidance in various languages. Kivenkolo is located in Espoonlahti.

Kivenkolo
Merisaapas 1 A
02070 Espoon kaupunki

Tel. 050 300 6093

Starttipiste for young adults

Starttipiste in Ohjaamotalo offers guidance and counselling for young people under the age of 20 without an appointment.

Leppävaara Starttipiste
Ohjaamotalo
Lintuvaarantie 2 A
02650 Espoo

Iso Omena Starttipiste
Palvelutori
Suomenlahdentie 1
02230 Espoo

Ohjaamotalo’s service number: 040 126 7513

Trapesa

The international meeting point Trapesa offers counselling services. Book an appointment in advance. The association also has an open living room and organises Finnish language discussion groups and diverse events.

Trapesa
Kirkkojärjventie 1
Espoo station bridge
02770 Espoo

Tel. 010 583 7971
E-mail: info(at)trapesa.com

Immigrant Services

Immigrants can also contact Espoo Immigrant Services (Maahanmuuttajapalvelut). The information service provides advice and guidance without having to make an appointment. Guidance is given in several different languages.

Immigrant Services
Pyyntitie 3
02230 Espoo
Tel. (09) 81621

Hello Espoo

Hello Espoo is an English-language website providing information on services in Espoo for those planning to move to Espoo and for new Espoo residents.

If you have recently moved into the Helsinki metropolitan area, you can receive guidance and public services in one place at International House Helsinki (IHH). You can:

• seek free guidance and information related to moving in several languages
• apply for a Finnish personal identity code, register as a resident and report your address information
• receive a tax card, a tax number and guidance related to taxation
• search for information about Finnish social security and benefits
• receive guidance on TE services and searching for work
• receive guidance on earnings-related pension and information on the A1 certificate
• seek employment guidance
• seek guidance for companies and employers

The IHH Service Advisor App web application helps you to find the correct authorities and gives you advice on what documents you should take with you.

The service includes Helsinki-info, the City of Espoo, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency, the Finnish Immigration Service, the Tax Administration, Kela, the Uusimaa TE Office, the Finnish Centre for Pensions, the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce and the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions, SAK.

Address

International House Helsinki
Lintulahdenkuja 2
00530 Helsinki

The initial assessment is conducted by Espoo Immigrant Services or the adult social work office.

Espoo Immigrant Services also assist immigrants in other matters related to living in Finland.

When you register as a job seeker, an employee of the Employment and Economic Development Office will complete an initial assessment with you and prepare an integration plan. The Espoo office is located in Leppävaara.

Espoo Employment and Economic Development Office
Upseerinkatu 3 B
02600 Espoo

Read more: Integration into Finland

If you do not speak Finnish or Swedish, you can use an interpreter when dealing with the authorities. In some cases, the authorities may provide the interpreter. If so, the interpreting services will not cost you anything.

“Authorities” here refers to the police, Kela, the Employment and Economic Development Office or an official of the City of Espoo, among others.

However, authorities do not always pay for the interpreter. This is why you must always ask beforehand whether or not the interpreting services are paid for.

You can employ the services of an interpreter at any time if you pay the costs and book one yourself.

You can request more information on interpreting services from Espoo Immigrant Services, for example.

Read more: Do you need an interpreter?