Move to Finland
1. Legal Stay in Finland
Main Guid Residence Permit
Who Can Apply
Contact of Finland's Embassies
Apply for a Residence Permit
Main Guide to Receive a Residence Permit in Finland
Finland offers different residence permits based on your reason for moving, such as work, studies, or family ties. The specific type of permit you receive determines your validity period and right to work.
Comprehensive guidelines on criteria and the application process can be found on the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) website. You can find out what kind of permit you need (🟢 Main Guide)
Right Application for Residence Permit
The Finnish Immigration Service classified the required information to help people find the right application for a residence permit for coming to Finland.
🟢 Application Finder: Which permit do you need?
🟢 The instructions for applying for a residence permit (by Migri)
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
However, navigating the system, especially for expats or non-residents- requires understanding the crucial link between banking and digital identity.
1. Valid Passport or official EU/EEA identity card.
2. Finnish Personal Identity Code (henkilötunnus).
3. Residence Permit or EU registration certificate.
4. Proof of Address (e.g., a rental contract or official mail).
4. Proof of Income/Ties
Digital Portals and Mobile Apps for Identification & Registration
To register your residency, right of residence, or official address in Finland, you must use specific government web portals, as Finland handles official registrations through online browser services rather than dedicated mobile applications.
🟢Enter Finland Portal: Use the portal for Visas, Residence Permits, and EU Right of Residence: submit applications, track your status, and handle immigration-related registrations
🟢DVV (Digital and Population Data Services) Portal: Use this platform for Address Changes, Personal Data, and Local Municipality Registration to officially notify the government of a domestic or international move. You can view your completed, registered profile details at any time via Suomi.fi.
_______
While the primary registration platforms (like Enter Finland and DVV) must be completed inside your mobile browser, you can download the official Suomi.fi app to view your registered data, communicate with authorities, and receive official decision letters.
The Finnish Immigration Service also provides the Work Help Finland app specifically to guide foreign workers on their registration rights and legal duties.
Suomi.fi App:
🟢 Google Play Store: Download for Android:
🟢 Apple App Store: Download for iOS:(Search "Suomi.fi" directly on your device)
Work Help Finland App:
🟢 Google Play Store: Download for Android:
🟢 Apple App Store: Download for iOS
3. Other Requierments & Information
Citizen Certificate & Mobile ID
Importing things to Finland
Finnish Location Services
Information About Finland
NGOs supporting 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. However, the authenticity of the content depends on the information providers.
🔵 Moving to Finland: Multi-language portal Guide (info Finland)
🔵 Pre-arrival guide for refugees
🔵 Moving to Tampere
🔵 International House Tampere
🔵 This is Finland
⚙️ Guide to moving to Finland
NGOs in Finland
NGOs in Finland offer extensive support for foreigners and migrants.
Women and Family
Monika-Naiset liitto
Väestöliitto
African Care
DIDAR
Society & Valenteer
KVT Finland
Caritas Finland
AFAES ry
Practical Advice & Settlement
(Employment / Housing / Money & Taxation / Healthcare & Education / Transportation / Stores & Services / Digital tools and Apps)
Participation
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