Bank accounts in Finland

Pankkitili Suomessa
On this page you will find information on banking services in Finland, including bank accounts, home loans, online banking codes and cross-border payments.

Finnish banks offer their customers a wide range of services. This page focuses on essential everyday banking services. You can get more information on other services direct from your bank.

Banking activities in Finland are supervised by the Financial Supervisory Authority, which provides information on consumer protection. FINE advises customers in issues and problems related to banking.

Opening a bank account

A Finnish personal identity code is not essential for opening a bank account, but customers must always be able to prove their identity reliably. The surest way to verify your identity is with a current passport or official identity card, which you must have with you when you visit a bank branch in person to open an account. Not having a Finnish personal identity code may restrict access to some banking service agreements such as for payment cards or online banking. 

Opening a bank account often requires a legitimate and admissible requirement, for example permanent domicile, employment or studying in Finland. Proof of employment could be a current employment contract or salary slip, and in the case of studies a certificate of admission to your place of study or a student card.

Banks can check your credit history when you open a bank account. 

Banks Banks offering everyday services and bank codes in Finland are listed below.

Online banking codes

Online banking codes are your electronic ID document, and when you use them it is equivalent to your signature. You can use your online banking codes to log into your online bank, but also for authentication for other service providers, including the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) and for taxation as well as for paying online purchases. Your codes are meant for use by you only, and may not be transferred to another person.

You get your first online banking codes when you visit your bank branch in person. You need an ID document for authentication.

Cross-border payments

You can make payments denominated in euros in the same way and for the same price both in Finland and other SEPA countries, if the payment is made in euros. As well as the euro area countries, the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) includes the other EU and EEA countries, Switzerland and Great Britain. Enter the payee’s account number in IBAN format, then your bank will recognise the payment as a SEPA payment.

If you are going to receive money from abroad, make sure you provide your bank account details correctly. SEPA transfers require the payee’s account number in IBAN format and the payee’s Bank Identifier Code (BIC). You can check your IBAN account number on your statement, in your online bank or at your branch.

You can get more information from your bank.

Home loans

As a rule, only a home in Finland can be used as security for a home loan granted by a Finnish bank. So if you are planning to take a home loan from a Finnish bank to buy a home in another Nordic country, contact your bank and ask if you can use the home you are buying in another Nordic country as security.

If you are buying a home in Finland and are planning to take a home loan from a foreign bank, you may not necessarily be able to use the home in Finland as security for a home loan from another Nordic country. Check this with your bank.

More information

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Info Norden is the information service of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Here you can find info and tips if you wish to move, work, study, seek support or start a business in the Nordic region.