International House Helsinki
International House Helsinki provides a wide range of information and public authority services to meet the needs of international newcomers in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The support you can get includes:
- General information & guidance
- Registration of an EU citizen’s right of residence
- Registration, personal identity code & change of address
- Tax card / tax number & tax counselling
- Social security & benefits
- Advice on employment services & registering as a jobseeker
- Pensions & pension insurance
- Employee rights advisory service
- Advisory & counselling service for employers
- Daycare and education guidance
1A. Are You an EU Citizen?
Register your right of residence
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. However, if you plan to stay in Finland for more than three months, you must register your right of residence with the Finnish Immigration Service, Migri.fi. The immigration authorities will ask you to prove that you can earn your own livelihood and that you meet the requirements for registration.
Citizens of the Nordic countries
Citizens of the Nordic countries 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.
Personal identity number
A personal identity number, personnummer, can be applied for at Migri, DVV or Vero. The registered information is used, amongst other things, for taxation, health care, judicial administration, and statistics. Life in Finland is difficult without a personal identity number, so if you’re entitled to one it’s well worth it even if it’s not a requirement for you.
1B. Are You Not an EU Citizen?
Apply for a residence permit
Citizens of non-EU countries who plan to come to Finland for more than 90 days must apply for a residence permit from the Finnish Immigration Service, Migri.fi. It is not possible to apply for a residence permit on another person’s behalf.
Apply online
You can apply for a residence permit online at EnterFinland.fi. 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. Before your scheduled visit you should check if your documents must be translated or legalised.
Personal identity number
A personal identity number, personnummer, can be applied for from Migri, DVV or Vero. The registered information is used, amongst other things, for taxation, health care, judicial administration, and statistics. Life in Finland is difficult without a personal identity number, so if you’re entitled to one it’s well worth it even if it’s not a requirement for you.
2. Register for a Municipality of Residence
Newcomers who have successfully registered, or received a residence permit from the Finnish Immigration Service must next get a municipality of residence at the population information system dvv.fi. Once the registration is approved, you will be considered a resident of the municipality in question, and be entitled to use the city’s services, such enrolling the children in daycare or school.
Side Note. If You Are Unemployed, Register with the TE Services
Register at the unemployment office, TE Services, and find out if you are entitled to an integration plan and integration training.
3. You Are Employed
First you should apply for a tax card at Vero.
Then you should open a bank account by booking an in-person meeting at a bank of your choice. Banks in Finland include Aktia, Danske Bank, Nordea, OP and Ålandsbanken.
Residents of a Finnish municipality (i.e. those who have a place of domicile in Finland) are entitled to treatment in the public healthcare system. You will be charged the same user fee as other local residents. Your citizenship or country of origin are not relevant.
After moving to Finland you can apply for a Kela card. By presenting your card at the pharmacy or at many private medical clinics, you can get a direct, on-the-spot reimbursement for your costs. The Kela card is not a prerequisite for the right to use public healthcare services. You can apply for a Kela card by sending a message via Kela’s e-service.
Learn the Languages
To make life in Finland easier you should learn the local language, so do sign up for a Swedish or Finnish language course. When choosing Swedish as an integration language think about if your environment is Swedish-speaking: Are there job opportunities for you in Swedish? What is your personal situation, do your partner or friends speak Swedish? Even if you integrate in Swedish you will often need to learn at least some Finnish, too.