Guide: moving to Finland

This guide summarises the points you should bear in mind if you are planning to move to Finland. If you move to Finland, you need to notify your move to various authorities. Moving to Finland may also affect social security benefits, healthcare and taxation. There is also information on the right of residence and the right to work, housing, language courses and bringing removal goods, a car and pets to Finland.

If you are moving to Finland for work or studies, check these guides too.

Nordic citizens do not need a residence or employment permit in another Nordic country. There are certain conditions, however, for citizens of non-Nordic EU and EEA countries and other countries. Read more on the page Right of residence and right to work in Finland.

Read more about notifying a move on the page Notifying a move and population registration in Finland.

If you move to Finland permanently, you get a Finnish personal identity code after notifying your move. In some cases you can also get a Finnish personal identity code if you move to Finland temporarily. Read more in the section Personal identity code in Finland.

If you move to another country, you must always notify this separately to the social security authorities in your country of departure. If you move permanently, it is also advisable to notify the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela). 

You can find more details on which country’s social security apples to you if you move to another country on the page Which country's social security system are you covered by?

You can find information on residence-based and employment-based social security benefits in Finland on the page Social security benefits in Finland. You can find information on healthcare services on the page Right to healthcare services in Finland. You can find information on unemployment insurance on the page Unemployment benefits in Finland.

You can find information on taxation in Finland on the page Taxation in Finland. The Nordic tax portal Nordisk eTax also contains useful information on taxation in the Nordic countries. 

You can find information on types of housing, looking for a home and housing allowance on the page Housing in Finland.

Below you will find guidance on bringing in removal goods, pets and cars as well as on language courses, banking and making various types of contracts.

Removal goods and pets

You can find answers to questions about removal goods on the page Customs rules in Finland. You can find information on travelling with pets on the page Travelling to Finland with dogs or cats.

Cars and driving licences

Questions about importing and registering a car are dealt with on the page Vehicles in Finland. 

Driving licences issued in another Nordic country are also valid in Finland. Read more on the page Driving licences in Finland.

Language courses in Finland

Beginners’ and advanced courses in Finnish are organised all over the country, for example in adult education centres, which can be found in almost all municipalities in Finland. Read more on the page Language courses in Finland.

Bank accounts and home loans

You can find information on opening a bank account and on security for a home loan on the page Bank accounts in Finland.

Buying goods and services

You can find information on making telephone, internet and electricity contracts on the page Buying goods and services in Finland.

If you are moving to Finland from another Nordic country, also take a look at our guides on moving from a country.