Settling in Espoo

Hello Espoo info

Hello Espoo is an information service where you can ask about the City of Espoo’s services and receive help for dealing with the authorities.

You can get service in plain Finnish, English or in your own language or, if necessary, with the help of a telephone interpreter.

Iso Omena
Service Centre
Suomenlahdentie 1
02230 Espoo

Tel. 040 636 8097
email: hello.espoo@espoo.fi (Link opens default mail program)

Espoo Info

Information about Espoo’s services and support for the use of electronic services are available from Espoo Info.

Tel. 09 816 21
email info@espoo.fi (Link opens default mail program)

Chat services

You can also ask about City services in the chat, that is, by typing into the chat window.

Kivenkolo

Community Centre Kivenkolo is a “living room” open to all, where groups of people speaking different languages can meet and organise events. Kivenkolo is located in Espoonlahti.

Kivenkolo
Merisaapas 1 A
02070 Espoon kaupunki

Tel. 040 634 3864

Ohjaamotalo for young adults

Starttipiste in Ohjaamotalo offers guidance and counselling for young people under the age of 30 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

Social services promoting integration

Refugees and undocumented persons can also contact social services promoting integration. The information service provides advice and guidance without having to make an appointment. Guidance is provided in several different languages on different days.

Social services promoting integration
Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County
Pyyntitie 3
02230 Espoo

Koto-Espoo

The City of Espoo’s Koto-Espoo offers support to foreign-language speaking Espoo residents who are not clients of employment services. These include stay-at-home parents and persons over the age of 65. You can get help in plain Finnish, English or in your own language.

Koto-Espoo, early-stage integration services
Matinkylä
Matinkartanontie 16B
02230 Espoo

Espoon keskus
Terveyskuja 2A
02770 Espoo

Tel. 040 634 4480
Email: kotoutuminen@espoo.fi (Link opens default mail program)
 

HelloEspoo.fi

Hello Espoo is a website that brings together the City of Espoo’s services for new Espoo residents. The site provides helpful tips and guidelines for different life situations.

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).

At International House Helsinki, you can:

• seek free guidance and information related to moving in several languages
• register your right of residence if you are a citizen of an EU country
• apply for a Finnish personal identity code, register as a resident and report your address information
• apply for a tax card and receive guidance on taxation
• search for information about Finnish social security and benefits
• get advice on employment services and the opportunity to register as a jobseeker
• receive guidance on earnings-related pension and information on the A1 certificate
• receive help with finding employment
• receive guidance on day-care and school places for families
• attend free-of-charge Newcomer information sessions in English that provide support and advice on what to do before and after arriving in Finland. The events are held online.
• get personal preliminary stage relocation advice upon an appointment (in English and Finnish)
• receive support from the Spouse Program network for the spouses of foreigners who have moved to Helsinki, Espoo or Vantaa for work.

Address:
Lintulahdenkuja 2 D, 2nd floor
00530 Helsinki

When you register as a jobseeker, an employee from the City of Espoo’s Employment Services will conduct an initial assessment with you and create an integration plan. The plan will include agreements about studying Finnish or Swedish, your goals, how to search for work and what services you will need. The offices are located in Leppävaara and Matinkylä.

Leppävaara
City of Espoo’s Employment Services
Sello
Leppävaarankatu 3
02600 Espoo

Matinkylä
City of Espoo’s Employment Services
Piispanportti 10 A
02200 Espoo

If you are not a client of Employment Services, the City of Espoo’s Koto-Espoo will carry out a service needs assessment and prepare an integration plan.

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 or an official of the City of Espoo.

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.

Read more: Do you need an interpreter?

In Finland, you can get help and advice with financial matters if you have money problems.

Read more: Financial problems

In Espoo, you can contact the Financial Advice Clinic or the Legal Aid Office. Both services are free of charge.

Financial Advice Clinic
Ison Omenan Palvelutori
Suomenlahdentie 1
02230 Espoo

tel. 040 639 3944

Länsi-Uusimaa Legal Aid Office
Piispansilta 9 B
02230 Espoo

tel. 029 56 61827
e-mail: lansi-uusimaa.velkaneuvonta(at)oikeus.fi