Right of residence and right to work in Finland

Citizens of Nordic countries 

Citizens of Nordic countries have the right to live and work in the other Nordic countries without a residence or work permit. However, if a person’s stay in Finland lasts over a year, the person must as a general rule register with the Finnish population register as permanently resident in Finland. You can find more information on population registration in Finland in the section Notifying a move and population registration in Finland.

Citizens of non-Nordic EU and EEA countries

Citizens of other EU countries and of Switzerland and Liechtenstein do not need a residence permit or work permit in the Nordic countries, but their right of residence must be registered if their stay lasts over three months. Registration of citizens of EU countries and of Switzerland and Liechtenstein is done at the Finnish Immigration Service. More information from the Finnish Immigration Service.

Family members of EU citizens who are not themselves EU citizens must apply for a residence card from the police. More information from the Finnish Immigration Service.

Citizens of other countries

Citizens of countries other than those above must apply for a residence permit if they intend to move to Finland to work.

A residence permit on employment grounds is applied for primarily at the Finnish mission abroad, or in Finland at the Finnish Immigration Service.

A residence permit for Finland may be granted to persons wishing to come to Finland from outside the EU/EEA other than on employment grounds. Other grounds include for example family ties or studies. Most residence permits granted on grounds other than employment also include the right to work.