Visit the infofinland.fi website.

There you will find all the information you need about jobs, studying, residence permits, housing, and everyday life in Finland. The site is available in several languages.

Non-EU citizens

If you are a citizen of a country that is not an EU Member State, see this link on the infofinland.fi website for instructions on how to apply for a residence permit.

The Finnish Immigration Service’s website also features an application guide: https://migri.fi/en/i-want-to-apply

EU citizens

If you are an EU citizen, you do not need a residence permit. However, if you plan to stay in Finland for longer than three months, you must register your stay within three months of your date of entry. Read more about residing in Finland as an EU citizen on the infofinland.fi website.

Also see infofinland.fi for instructions and links for registering your right of residence as an EU citizen.

Direct link to the Finnish Immigration Service page for registering your right of residence:
Registering your right of residence | migri.fi

 

When you move to Finland, you will need a Finnish personal identity code in order to conduct your affairs with the authorities, your employer, and your bank. If you are entitled to a personal identity code, you can request one from DVV (Digital and Population Data Services Agency).

The use of many services also requires registering your municipality of residence with the DVV.

Read more in the guide at infofinland.fi: Registering as a resident | infofinland

Direct links to the DVV website:

Applying for a personal ID code | DVV

Registering a municipality of residence | DVV

 

How to submit a move notification

If you are moving from one address to another within Finland, you need to submit a move notification to the DVV and the post office. If you have online banking credentials, you can do this electronically on the DVV website:

Move notification | DVV

When you rent an apartment, you usually have to take out a home insurance policy as well. Home insurance covers damages to your apartment or your belongings there.

Read more about getting a home insurance policy: Insurance | infofinland.fi

See also the link: Insurance companies operating in Finland | norden.org

Early childhood care and pre-primary education (0 to 6-year-olds)

General information on early childhood care and pre-primary education: Early childhood care and pre-primary education | sipoo.fi

Applying for early childhood education and care in Sipoo: Applying for early childhood education and care (in Finnish) | sipoo.fi

 

Children over 6 years old

Information on educational opportunities in Sipoo: Education | sipoo.fi

Preparatory education for immigrants | sipoo.fi

How do I get a telephone subscription?

 

In Finland, you can buy two types of telephone subscriptions:

• a telephone subscription that will be billed to your home
• a telephone subscription that you pay for in advance (prepaid)

If you buy a billable telephone subscription, you will need a Finnish personal identity code and a Finnish address. Your credit rating will also be checked. This means that if you have a payment default entry (for example because you have not paid your bills), you will not be able to get a billable telephone subscription. You can buy a billable telephone subscription online or from a telephone operator’s shop.

If you cannot buy a billable subscription, you can still buy a prepaid subscription. You can top it up with value, meaning money, either online, at an R-kioski kiosk, or in certain grocery shops. You can buy a prepaid subscription from an operator’s online shop or regular shop. R-kioski kiosks and many grocery shops also sell prepaid subscriptions.

There are several different telephone operators in Finland from whom you can buy a telephone subscription. It is worth comparing the features and prices of different subscriptions before you make the decision to purchase.

Some telephone operators operating in Finland are:

Elisa (in Finnish)
Dna (in Finnish)
Telia (in Finnish)
Moi (in Finnish)

When you have moved to Finland and have a municipality of residence registered with the DVV, you can apply for a Kela card. With a Kela card, you can get direct reimbursement of your expenses at pharmacies and many private medical centres.

Kela card | kela.fi

Apply for a Kela card via the OmaKela (in Finnish) e-service, if you have online banking credentials. Go to Submit an application. Select Kela cards.

When living in Finland, you will need a Finnish bank account to manage your finances. Read more about opening a bank account: Bank account | infofinland.fi

There are several different banks operating in Finland, here are some examples:

S-pankki (in Finnish)

Nordea

OP

Aktia (in Finnish)

POP pankki

Danske bank

Säästöpankki

Fiksukuluttaja.fi compared different banks in January 2025. Read more about the comparison (article in Finnish only): List of banks in Finland: find the best bank for you in 2025 (in Finnish) | fiksukuluttaja.fi

If you become unemployed, register as an unemployed jobseeker. You can then apply for unemployment benefits from Kela or an unemployment fund.

Register as a jobseeker | tyomarkkinatori.fi

You can study Finnish or Swedish languages independently in many different ways (remotely, in-person, independently, or by participating in a course). Courses are also available at different times, so you can choose the course that best suits your life situation. If you have an integration plan drawn up by the employment authority, you can attend free integration education to learn Finnish or Swedish.

Finnish language courses

Finnish language courses on the map | kielibuusti.fi

Search for Finnish language courses or discussion groups by location | kotoutumisentukena.fi

Sipoon Opisto Adult Education Centre courses, search for Finnish language courses | Sipoon Opisto

Keravan Opisto Adult Education Centre courses, search for Finnish language courses | Keravan Opisto

 

Finnish language remote courses / online courses

Finnish language online courses | finnishcourses.fi

Finnish language online courses | kielibuusti.fi

 

Learn Finnish independently

Finnish language on the Internet | infofinland.fi

 

Swedish language courses

Swedish language courses | finnishcourses.fi

Search for Swedish language courses or discussion groups by location | kotoutumisentukena.fi

Read more about the Swedish language in Finland | infofinland.fi

 

What do I need to know when living in a rented or owned apartment? Can I renovate my apartment? What if I notice something strange in the apartment? Here are some links to lots of useful information and advice.

Housing in Finland | infofinland.fi

Home security | infofinland.fi

Residents’ rights and responsibilities | infofinland.fi

Waste and recycling | infofinland.fi