To get the best help for your situation, first answer the questions on the Preliminary questions page.
Work in Finland
- Preliminary questions
- Before you come to Finland
- When you arrive in Finland
- To do as soon as you arrive in Finland
- Take care of things that help you to settle in Finland
- Seek guidance if needed
- Look for a place to live
- You may apply for a tax deduction, if your spouse and children live in another country
- Open a Finnish bank account
- Obtain Finnish telephone and internet subscriptions
- Consider buying a public transport season ticket or a travel card
- Study Finnish or Swedish
- How can I find hobbies?
- Pay attention to special features of traffic if you drive a car
- Remember these when you start working
- Launching business operations
- Check what support and health services you can receive
- Find a place for your child in childcare, in school, or as a student
- Changes and moving from Finland
- Checklist
Take care of things that help you to settle in Finland
Seek guidance if needed
Municipalities offer guidance to immigrants. You can seek advice in matters related to integration, health and social welfare services, housing, personal finance and livelihood, studying and work.
Look for a place to live
You should start looking for a place to live at the latest when you have arrived in Finland. You may rent or buy a home.
Rental homes are offered byÂ
- municipalitiesÂ
- private housing agenciesÂ
- private individuals.
The rental homes offered by municipalities are usually cheaper. You can search for information on rental homes on the websites of cities and other municipalities.
You may apply for a tax deduction, if your spouse and children live in another country
If your spouse or children stay in another country and you rent a home in Finland because of your work, you may get a tax deduction. Read about the deduction for a second home for work on the website of the Tax Administration.
Open a Finnish bank account
When you have a Finnish personal identity code, you can usually open a bank account. The banks may also have other, bank-specific requirements.Â
Follow these steps:
- Select the bank in which you want to open the account.Â
- Go to an office of that bank and say you want to open an account.
You will need an official identification document, such as a passport or EU-citizen`s identity card, to open a bank account. A driving license alone is not enough.
Read more about opening a bank account on the InfoFinland websiteOpens in a new window..
Obtain Finnish telephone and internet subscriptions
Telephone and internet subscriptions are important in Finnish everyday life. Without a phone and a network connection, it is difficult to handle many practical matters.
It is often cheaper to use Finnish subscriptions in Finland than to use foreign subscriptions. There are several Finnish telecommunications operators that offer subscriptions.
You will need a Finnish personal identity code for a personal subscription. If you do not yet have a personal identity code, you should buy a pre-paid subscription. These are sold in supermarkets, kiosks, etc.
Consider buying a public transport season ticket or a travel card
If you use public transport regularly, you should check whether there are season tickets or travel cards available on your local public transport. They can be more economical.Â
You can often buy season tickets and travel cards at a local transport service point, online or from a mobile application.Â
Please note that in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, for example, you cannot buy tickets on a bus, tram or train in cash. You need to buy a ticket or get a travel card before you travel.
You can receive tax deductions for travel between your home and workplace. Read more about tax deductions on the website of the Tax AdministrationOpens in a new window..
Study Finnish or Swedish
When you live in Finland, you should also learn Finnish, or Swedish in Swedish-speaking areas.Â
Although you can use English in many places and for taking care of many things, speaking one of the Finnish official languages has a lot of benefits and brings you joy in both working life and on your leisure time.Â
If you intend to apply for a Finnish citizenship later on, you must be able to speak Finnish or Swedish on a satisfactory level.
How can I find hobbies?
Different hobby opportunities are offered by e.g.
- sports clubs
- associations
- organisations
- communities
- unions
- adult education centres and workers’ institutes
- municipalities.
You could also read event announcements for example online or from a local newspaper. Courses and events aimed at immigrants can be searched for from e.g. Kotoutumisen tukena websiteOpens in a new window..
Hobbies give you a chance to
- improve your Finnish or Swedish
- find new friendsÂ
- learn more about Finnish customs and culture.
Pay attention to special features of traffic if you drive a car
A driving licence issued abroad is usually valid in Finland. However, Finnish traffic has some special features you should take into account when driving.