Permits of the Finnish Patent and Registration Office for people living abroad

You may engage in your trade in Finland if you reside permanently in the European Economic Area. Your nationality is not significant. Finnish companies are also permitted to engage in a trade in Finland. Foreign companies with main headquarters in the European Economic Area or that have registered a branch in Finland may also engage in a trade.

If you do not have permanent place of residence in the European Economic Area and wish to operate as a private trader in Finland, you will always need a permit from the Finnish Patent and Registration Office.

You may also need a permit granted by the Finnish Patent and Registration Office for holding a managerial position or other position of responsibility in a company in Finland if you reside permanently outside the European Economic Area and are one of the following:

• a permanent member or vice member of the board of a limited liability company
• the managing director or deputy managing director of a limited liability company
• a partner in a general partnership
• a responsible partner in a limited partnership.

You must also apply for the permit if your company's main headquarters are outside the European Economic Area and you are establishing a foreign branch in Finland.

When you engage in a trade or hold a managerial position or other position of responsibility in a company in Finland, you must apply for a permit from the Finnish Patent and Registration Office. Submit a written application in your own words in Finnish or Swedish. You can use a single application to apply for permissions for holding a managerial and other position of responsibility for several people.

Include your name, nationality, place of residence, contact details and your company’s information in the application. Also include information about what you are applying the permit for and why do you need the permit.

Include the date and your signature on the application. If you are using a single application to apply for permits for several people, all applicants must sign the document.

Enclose with your application any necessary attachments, including copies of passports, and Finnish and Swedish translations of foreign language documents. Send your application to the Finnish Patent and Registration Office by post.

The application is subject to a fee. The amount of the fee depends on the number of applicants seeking the permit. The fee is collected afterwards.