Permits and notifications for non-EU citizens
If you are a citizen of a non-EU country and are moving to Finland to become an entrepreneur, you need a residence permit for an entrepreneur or a start-up entrepreneur. Once you have been granted a residence permit for at least one year, you must register at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency which will provide you with a municipality of residence and a Finnish personal identity code.
The actual process of establishing a business is similar as for Finnish citizens. You can also take advantage of the Business start-up wizard. It is an easy-to-use tool which gives you a check-list of matters that are obligatory when you are setting up a business.
Submit your start-up notification of your company electronically in the Finnish Patent and Registration Office's Business Information System (YTJ).
If you are a citizen of a non-EU country and are moving to Finland to become an entrepreneur, you always need a residence permit.
You need an entrepreneur’s residence permit if you are
- an entrepreneur in a limited liability company,
- a private entrepreneur,
- a partner in a general partnership,
- general partner in a limited partnership, or
- a member of a cooperative who has an unlimited liability for refinancing.
If you are a shareholder in a managerial position in a limited-liability company or you hold a managerial position in another type of organisation, you can find the terms and conditions for the entrepreneur’s residence permit on the website of the Finnish Immigration ServiceOpens in a new window..
You need a residence permit for a startup entrepreneur, if you wish to establish a startup company in Finland.
If you have been granted a residence permit on other grounds, you may engage in business in Finland if the grounds of your residence permit remain the same. For example, if you have moved to Finland on the basis of family ties, you may engage in business in Finland with a residence permit on the basis of family ties, as long as your family ties remain the basis of you staying in the country. If the grounds for the residence permit change, you must apply for a residence permit for an entrepreneur.
Once you have been granted a residence permit of at least one year, register at a service location of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.
Please note that your personal identity certificate and other documents must be legalised so that you can apply for a residence permit, register in Finland, and get a Finnish personal identity code. You must also provide an official translation into Finnish, Swedish or English or all your documents in a foreign language. You must personally get the translations from an authorised translator.
A residence permit may either be for a fixed term or be permanent. The first permit is always valid for a fixed period, typically one year. After this, you may apply for a fixed-term extension to the permit.
If you are abroad, submit your residence permit application to a Finnish consulate, and if you are in Finland, to the Finnish Immigration Service. Apply for the extension from the Finnish Immigration Service.
You may also apply for a Finnish personal identity code when applying for a residence permit.
To receive a residence permit for an entrepreneur, you must be able to prove that the enterprise has the potential to be profitable and that your own income will be guaranteed. You must also personally work in your company in Finland. The ELY Centre will assess whether you meet the criteria, after which the Finnish Immigration Service makes a decision on the residence permit.
If you are planning to set up a startup company in Finland, you must first obtain a positive Eligibility Statement from Business Finland. You can apply for the Eligibility Statement in the Enter Finland e-serviceOpens in a new window.. You may only apply for a startup entrepreneur’s residence permit after you have received a positive Eligibility Statement.
For more information and instructions for applying for the Eligibility Statement, go to the website of Business FinlandOpens in a new window..
In certain exceptional cases, you may engage in a trade in Finland without a residence permit. You do not necessarily need a residence permit if you work in Finland for a maximum of 90 days, for example, as
- an interpreter
- a teacher
- a specialist
- a sports judge or referee
- a professional artist
- a professional coach
- a professional athlete
- a product demonstrator
- a film worker
- a sailor
- the driver of a vehicle related to transport between countries
- the tour leader for a package tour to Finland
However, in such cases too, your residence in Finland must be on a legal basis. You may reside in Finland on a legal basis without a residence permit for a maximum of 90 days if you have a valid visa or a residence permit issued by another Schengen country, or if you come from a country whose citizens are not required to have a visa when coming to Finland.
If your residence permit issued by another Schengen country or your visa expires before the end of the 90-day period, your right of residence and the right to engage in a trade without a residence permit will also expire.
You can submit your residence permit application in the Enter Finland e-serviceOpens in a new window. or on paper. After you have sent your application, you must identify yourself in person. Your application will only be processed after you have proven your identity.
If you are applying for a residence permit outside Finland, you must prove your identity in a Finnish diplomatic mission or at a VFS Global application centre. If you are submitting your application in Finland, you must book an appointment at a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service.
A fee is charged for the processing of the permit application.
Further information:
Once you have been granted a residence permit for at least one year, you must also register at a service location of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency, which will assign a municipality of residence for you. Getting a municipality of residence may make your life easier, as municipalities provide their residents with a wide range of important services. You may apply for a municipality of residence in Finland if you have a valid permanent or continuous residence permit and you reside in Finland permanently.
Register at a service location of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency in person. Take with you your passport and residence permit, and your marriage certificate and the birth certificates of your underage children if these apply to you.
The Digital and Population Data Services Agency will store your basic information in the Finnish population information system, including your name, date of birth, nationality, family relations and address. In this context, you will get a Finnish personal identity code, which makes it easier to manage issues at banks and with the authorities.
If you are a citizen of another Nordic country, you can establish a company in Finland. You will need a residence permit to be able to do it. 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.
If you do not have a permanent place of residence in the European Economic Area, you need a permit for working as a private trader in Finland. The permit issue is assessed and resolved by the Finnish Patent and Registration Office.
Persons in managerial and responsible positions in other company forms in Finland, such as limited liability companies, may also have to apply to the Finnish Patent and Registration Office for a permit.
A permit from the supervisory authority is also 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.
Some trades, including real estate brokerage and package tour services are not subject to a permit but you must inform the supervisory authority if you intend to engage in the trades. 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.
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