Finland
Finland is a Nordic welfare state in Northern Europe known for its high quality of life, strong public services, and well-functioning institutions. Its governance system combines a central government with highly autonomous municipalities responsible for delivering key services such as education, healthcare, and social welfare. With a relatively small population and a strong emphasis on equality and innovation, Finland is often recognized for its effective public administration and inclusive social policies (Source).
The first figure presents the multi-level governance framework, showing the relationship between central government, regional cooperation bodies, and municipalities, which act as the core providers of public services. The second figure focuses on the internal organisation and service responsibilities of municipalities, highlighting how they manage key sectors such as education, health, and social services through local decision-making, budgeting, and inter-municipal cooperation. Together, the figures emphasize the central role of municipalities in delivering welfare services and coordinating public service provision in Finland (Source)
Move to Finland
1. Legal Stay in Finland
Main Guid Residence Permit
Right Application for Residence Permit
Contact Details of Finland#s Embassies
Apply for a Residence Permit
Main Guide to receive a Residence Permit in Finland
Find out which kind of application you may need to travel to Finland
🟢 Main Guide: I want to come to Finland.
Right Application for Residence Permit
Find the right application and the information you need.
Contact Details of Finland‘s Embassies
Find the contact details of Finland’s embassies and other missions abroad as well as other useful information.
🟢 Find your local Finnish Mission
Apply for a Residence Permit
The online service of the Finnish Immigration Service! Here you can apply for a residence permit or for Finnish citizenship online.
🟢 E-service Login/Registration
2. Address Registration & Identification
Population Registration
Apply for an Identity Card
Bank Account
Digital Tools and Apps
Population Registration
The Finnish Digital and Population Information Service maintains personal data in the population information system.
You need to have a residence permit and a valid address for at least SIX months to be eligible for registration (Postal Address and Phone SIM Card)
🟢 Digi- ja väestötietovirasto:
It determines your residency in Municipality in Tampere City) for: a) Access to local services, b) Healthcare region, c) Voting rights (later stage). For the first time, you need to register your address in person (e.g., DVV in Tampere)
Apply for an Identity Card
An identity card is a document that certifies your identity when you use different services. You can find the requirements in the Police Portal.
🟢 Apply for an ID card
The first ID card is issued in person at the police centre in the city. (e.g., the Police Department in Tampere)
Opening Bank Account
Here are the extra details that open in the window.
Detailed Info
Here are the extra details that open in the window.
3. Other Requierments & Information
Citizen Certificate & Mobile ID
Importing things to Finland
Finnish Location Services
Supportive Information About Finland
NGOs supporting foreigners & Migrants
Citizen & Mobile Certificate
The citizen certificate is a Finnish electronic identity card that enables secure identification and electronic signatures. More information:
🟢 Citizen certificate and eIDAS
___________
There are different options for preparing a SIM card. Major operators like DNA, Elisa, and Telia offer excellent, fast 4G/5G coverage, often priced around €5–€25 for unlimited data, with prepaid eSIM options also available.
🟡 How to buy a SIM Card in Finland (eSIM.net)
🟡 More about connectivity in Finland
__________
Mobile identification in Finland, known as Mobiilivarmenne, is a secure, phone-based, strong authentication method used to access digital services (government, banking, health) via a PIN code.
🟢 Mobile ID usage
Find more information on
🔵 Finnish Trust Network (FTN)
🔵 TUPAS VS. with Finnish Trust Network (FTN)
🟢 Mobile Certificate Activation
🟣 Activating Teila Mobile Certificate
🟣Activating DNA Mobile Certificate
🟣Activating Elisa Mobile Certificate
Note: The mobile certificate (Mobiilivarmenne) is typically only available for postpaid (contract) subscriptions, not prepaid subscriptions.
Importing to Finland
Tulli office (Finnish Customs) is a government agency responsible for controlling cross-border goods traffic, collecting customs duties and taxes (like VAT), and enforcing import/export restrictions in Finland, operating under the Ministry of Finance. They facilitate trade, protect society, and provide services for private individuals (e.g., clearing packages) and businesses.
🟢 Tulli (Finnish Customs)
Handling customs clearance for gifts, parcels from outside the EU, and personal goods, often via online services.
🟢 Regulation for Students Arriving in Finland
🟢Customs Instructions for Passengers
Note: Vehicles brought as removal goods must be declared to both Tulli (Customs) and Traficom.
🟢 Order or import Pets, Vehicles, Alcohol, Medicine, etc. to Finland?
🟣 A company for Pet Relocation from Finland
🟣 Teveling with pets
Relocation Guide and Services
🟢 Relocation Guide to Tampere
🟣 International relocation industry pioneer
🟣 Moving service Tampere
🟣 Compare International Moving Quotes in Minutes
🟣Transportation and Moving Service
🟣Victor EK
🟣Return Ticket: immigration and relocation services for foreigners moving to Finland
🟣Alfa Mobility: Relocation Services to/from the Nordics
🟣Finland Relocation: Global Mobility
Information about Finland
You can find extensive information about Finland and living in Finland.
🔵 Moving to Finland: Multi-language portal Guide (info Finland)
🔵 Pre-arrival guide for refugees
🔵 Moving to Tampere
🔵 International House Tampere
NGOs in Finland
NGOs in Finland offer extensive support for foreigners
Legal Advice
🟡 Finnish Refugee Advice Centre
🟡 International Organization for Migration Finland
Integration
🟡 Finnish Refugee Council
🟡 Finnish Red Cross
Women & Family
🟡 Monika-Naiset liitto
🟡 Väestöliitto
🟡 African Care
🟡 DIDAR
Mental Health
🟡 PALOMA Center of Expertise
Community & Volunteering
🟡 KVT Finland
🟡 Caritas Finland
🟡 AFAES ry
Practical Advice & Settlement
(Employment / Housing / Money & Taxation / Healthcare & Education / Transportation / Stores & Services / Digital tools and Apps)