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

You may engage in your trade in Finland if you live permanently in the European Economic Area. Your nationality is not significant, but you must have a valid residence permit in the EEA country where you live. If you visit Finland, you must see to it that you reside in the country on a legal basis.

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 live outside the European Economic Area, you always need a permit issued by the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) before you can engage in a trade in Finland. Note that the permit granted by the PRH does not give you the right to reside in Finland.

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

• a permanent member or vice member of the board 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.

Further information:

• European Economic Area - European ParliamentOpens in a new window.
• Visiting Finland - Finnish Immigration ServiceOpens in a new window.

If you do not have a permanent place of residence in the European Economic Area (EEA), you need a permit from the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) for working as a private trader (self-employed person) in Finland. The PRH has in practice granted permits for persons who live permanently in Switzerland. Citizenship does not play a role in decisions made on permits.

You can apply for a permit from the PRH using an online application form.

After you have received a permit from the PRH, you can submit a start-up notification for a private trader.

Read more about applying for a permit on the PRH website.Opens in a new window.

If you do not have a permanent place of residence within the European Economic Area (EEA), you may need a permit from the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) to hold a managerial position or position of responsibility in a company entered in the trade register. For example, as a board member or managing director, you may need a permit. Citizenship does not play a role in decisions made on permits.

You can apply for a permit from the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) with an online form. 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.

Read more about applying for a permit on the PRH website.Opens in a new window.

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