If you are a citizen of another Nordic country, you can establish a company in Finland. The process of establishing a company is similar to the process for Finnish citizens. Submit your company's start-up notification in the Business Information System (YTJ) either by using a paper form or electronically. Currently, you can submit the start-up notification electronically for a private entrepreneur and, in most cases, a limited liability company. Other company forms require a notification on paper.
You can use the start-up notification on paper to submit your company’s information to the Trade Register of the Finnish Patent and Registration Office and to the customer, prepayment, employer and VAT registers of the Tax Administration. If you submit the start-up notification to the Trade Register electronically, you must submit you company’s information to the registers of the Tax Administration in a separate notification of change. To submit an electronic notification, you need a Finnish personal identity code.
A permit from the authorities is required for engaging in certain trades, such as goods transport and the sales of alcoholic beverages. Check if engaging in your trade requires a permit. Apply for the permit before starting your business from the government agency whose field of operations covers the issue.
Even if engaging in your trade is not subject to a permit, it may require filing a separate notification with a supervisory authority. Such trades include real estate and package tour services. Check if engaging in your trade requires a separate notification.
Please also note that some professions are subject to regulation in Finland. For instance, if you intend to start a chimney sweeping company and work as a chimney sweep, you must first apply for the recognition of your professional qualifications from the competent authority. Check whether your own profession is regulated in Finland and which authority recognises the professional qualification.