Moving to Finland checklist

Do you need a residence permit for Finland?

The need for a residence permit depends on your citizenship as well as your reasons for coming to Finland and the length of your stay. If you are a citizen of a Nordic country, an EU member state, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, you do not need a residence permit when moving to Finland. You can arrive in Finland with a valid identity card or passport. Read more on the InfoFinland page Nordic citizens and EU citizens.

If you are a citizen of another country and you want to move to Finland, you need a residence permit. You must apply for the residence permit from the Finnish Immigration Service before you come to Finland.

Read more on the InfoFinland page Non-EU citizens.

Livelihood

You must have a sufficient livelihood to be allowed to move to Finland. When applying for a residence permit or registration of right of residence, you must be able to prove that your livelihood in Finland is ensured. If you come to Finland to work or to engage in entrepreneurship, you must prove that your work or business provides you with an adequate income. If you are moving to Finland to live with a family member, the person living in Finland is often also required to have sufficient resources to support him/herself and the family member moving to Finland.

Finland has a wide range of housing options. Most people moving to Finland live in rental homes when they arrive. Start looking for an apartment in good time and compare different options. Read more on the InfoFinland page Housing in Finland and Rental home.

Cost of living in Finland

The cost of living in Finland is high. For example, food and many services are more expensive than the European average. The cost of housing varies a lot. Housing in major cities is much more expensive than in small towns.

Read more about prices and other costs of living in Finland on the InfoFinland page Cost of living in Finland.

Before moving to Finland, you should have documents and certificates which are issued outside of Finland legalised and translated. These include birth certificates, marriage certificates, name change and divorce certificates, diplomas and other important documents. A document can be certified by the same authority from which you received that document or by a public notary of the same country.

Finnish, Swedish or English documents are accepted by the Finnish authorities. You must have documents in other languages translated into one of these three languages. For more detailed instructions for having documents legalised, please visit the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and Digital and Population Data Services Agency (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto).

When you move to Finland, remember to also notify the authorities of the country which you are moving away from about your move. Moving away from your home country can affect social security, pensions and taxes, for example. Once your information is up to date, it will be easier for you to take care of your affairs with the authorities. 

Removal goods

You do not usually have to pay duties or taxes for the goods you bring with you to Finland as removal goods.

However, if you move to Finland from outside the EU (or from outside the EU customs and fiscal territory), you must submit a customs declaration for the removal goods to the customs authorities in Finland. Removal goods must be brought to Finland within 12 months of the move.

If you move to Finland from within the EU customs and fiscal territory, you do not have to submit a customs declaration.

For more information on removal goods and the customs declaration, please contact the Customs Information Service at +358 295 5201 or visit the Finnish Custom’s website. The Customs Information Service provides assistance in Finnish, Swedish and English.

Importing a car to Finland

If you import a car from outside the EU (or from outside the EU customs and fiscal territory), you must submit a customs clearance as soon as the car arrives in Finland.

If you import a car from within the EU customs and fiscal territory, you do not have to submit a customs clearance.

Before you can drive the car in Finland, you must:

• obtain a transfer permit if the car does not have a valid registration of an EU or EEA country
• ensure that the car is covered by a motor insurance policy that is valid in Finland
• submit a declaration of vehicle use to the Tax Administration

You can find more information about using a car in Finland on the InfoFinland page Traffic in Finland.

Importing pets

If you want to bring a pet with you to Finland, you should find out beforehand about the rules for importing animals Often, certain vaccinations, for example, are required for animals. The Finnish Food Safety Authority (Ruokavirasto) provides more information about the rules applicable in Finland.

Registration of an EU citizen’s right of residence

If you are an EU citizen and intend to stay in Finland for over 90 days, you must register your right of residence. Read more on the InfoFinland page Registration of an EU citizen’s right of residence.

Finnish personal identity code

If you are granted a residence permit for Finland, you will be automatically registered in the Finnish Population Information System (Suomen väestötietojärjestelmä). You will receive a Finnish personal identity code at the same time. You can also get a personal identity code in Finland at the nearest Digital and Population Data Services Agency (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto) or at tax offices in larger cities at the same time as you get your tax card. Read more on the InfoFinland page Registering as a resident.

Municipality of residence in Finland

If you move permanently to Finland, your municipality of residence (kotikunta) will be registered as being in Finland. Your municipality of residence is the municipality in which you live. When you have a municipality of residence, you have the right to use the services of your residential area, such as public health services. You can find out at the nearest service location of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency whether a municipality of residence in Finland can be registered for you. Read more on the InfoFinland page Municipality of residence in Finland.

If you are employed or an entrepreneur, you need a Finnish tax card. If you have just moved to Finland, you can get a tax card from a tax office (verotoimisto). When you live permanently in Finland, the Tax Administration will send you a new tax card each year in January. Read more on the InfoFinland page Tax card.

You need a bank account in order to handle your daily finances. You also need Finnish online banking credentials for electronic identification and for dealing with the authorities. You can find information about opening a bank account on the InfoFinland page Everyday life in Finland.

When you move to Finland, you should apply to Kela for a Kela card. You may have a right to social benefits if you live permanently in Finland and meet the other criteria for being granted the benefits. Your right to social benefits is assessed if you apply for them. If you work in Finland but do not live permanently in Finland, you may have a right to some social benefits. More information on social security in Finland is available on the InfoFinland web page Finnish social security.

Health services in Finland

There are public and private health services in Finland. The public services are much cheaper than the private ones. If you are not entitled to use public health services, you can contact a private clinic. For more information on health services, go to the InfoFinland page Health services in Finland.

Integration into Finland

In Finland, there are different services to help you settle, find work and learn the language. If you would like advice or guidance, you can get help from the advisory services in your municipality. Read more about integration services on the InfoFinland page Integration into Finland.

Language studies

Finnish and Swedish are the official languages of Finland. Language skills will help you understand the new society and make it easier for you to take care of your affairs. Read more about studying languages on the InfoFinland page Finnish and Swedish.

Job search

You can find information about open job opportunities on employers’ websites, social media platforms, other online resources and through municipal employment services (työllisyyspalvelut). If you are unemployed, you can get help with job searching from your municipal employment services (työllisyyspalvelut). You can read more about job search in Finland on the InfoFinland page Find a job in Finland.

Public transport

If you live in a town or city in Finland, it is not necessary to own a car. Public transportation in Finland works well. You can travel almost everywhere in Finland by bus or by train. You can also fly to many cities. In larger cities and areas surrounding them, local public transport is also very efficient. Local public transport is usually organised by buses. 

Driving licence

If you have a driving licence issued outside of Finland, you can only use it for a certain period of time. You can exchange it for a Finnish driving licence if you are residing in Finland permanently. You can exchange your driving licence for a Finnish driving licence at an Ajovarma service point. Read more on the InfoFinland page Traffic in Finland.