Work and residence permits in Åland

Matters relating to foreigners’ permits have been transferred from the Åland police authority to the Finnish Immigration Service.

Nordic citizens and citizens of EU and EEA countries

Nordic citizens have the right to live and work in other Nordic countries without a residence or work permit. Citizens of other EU countries, Switzerland or Liechtenstein also do not need a residence or work permit.

You must, however, register with the authorities if you stay in the country longer than three months. Nordic citizens register with the local register office in Åland . Citizens of other EU countries as well as Switzerland and Liechtenstein register with the Finnish Immigration Service. To register you need to have a valid passport or a national identity document with you as well as a certificate of employment in Åland.

If you are going to stay in Åland for more than 12 months, you must make a notification of move to the local register office. Read more about this:

Citizens of other countries

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

Matters relating to foreigners’ permits have been transferred from the Åland police authority to the Finnish Immigration Service. If you apply for a residence permit, citizenship, travel documents or EU registration, you must submit your application or prove your identity at one of the Finnish Immigration Service’s service points.

If you apply for the right of residence in Åland

An official from the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) visits Åland every 6 to 7 weeks to receive applications. The office for these visits is located at the State Department of Åland. If you are in Åland, you can also deal with these matters at one of the Finnish Immigration Service’s service points in Finland. You cannot apply for asylum at the office. You can book an appointment to discuss your situation with an official using the Finnish Immigration Service’s appointment booking service. You can get more information from the Finnish embassy in your home country, or in Finland from the Finnish Immigration Service. You can find more information e.g. in the brochure Working in Finland produced by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. 

Applying for the right of residence under the withdrawal agreement (Brexit) 

If you apply for the right of residence under the withdrawal agreement (Brexit), check this webpage where the Finnish Immigration Service updates its current instructions and advice on Brexit.