Welcome to Finland, a country famous for its high quality of life, innovation-driven economy and stunning natural beauty. Finland consistently ranks among the world’s happiest countries, thanks to excellent public services, a safe and clean environment, and a healthy work-life balance. In this guide, we provide a warm welcome and essential information to help skilled workers relocate smoothly to Finland. Whether you’re coming from another EU/EEA country or from outside Europe, this guide covers everything from visas and permits to registering with local authorities, bringing your family, and accessing healthcare. Let’s get you set up for success in your new Finnish adventure!
Visa and Work Permit Requirements (Non-EU/EEA Nationals)
If you are not an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you will need a residence permit to live and work in Finland. Finland offers special permit categories for highly skilled workers, which provide faster processing and fewer hurdles than the standard work permit. Below are the main work permit options for skilled professionals:
Residence Permit for a Specialist: This permit is for experts or highly skilled workers in fields that require special expertise. To qualify, you need a confirmed job offer in Finland and a high level of competence (usually a higher education degree or equivalent experience). As of 2025, the salary must be at least EUR 3,827 per month to meet the specialist criteria. If your salary is below this, you would instead apply for a regular employed person’s permit. A first specialist permit can be granted for up to 2 years (or the length of your employment if shorter. The good news: specialists can use Finland’s fast-track service to get a decision in about two weeks. You can even request a D Visa alongside your permit, which allows you to travel to Finland immediately after approval without waiting for the physical residence card.
EU Blue Card: Finland also participates in the EU Blue Card scheme for highly qualified workers. Read more about the EU Blue Card here.
Standard Work Residence Permit (Employed Person’s Permit): If you don’t meet the criteria for the specialist permit or Blue Card, you can apply for a regular work-based residence permit.
Application process: Applications for your first residence permit must generally be submitted before you arrive in Finland. The process starts online via the Enter Finland portal, followed by an identity verification at a Finnish embassy or consulate. Once approved, you’ll receive your residence card and can make your move. Employers play a key role in this process, so coordination between you and your hiring company is essential.
Each case depends on factors such as your role, salary, family situation, and the specific permit route. Our team can help you navigate these details and prepare the right documentation to avoid delays.
EU/EEA Nationals: (If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you do not need a visa or residence permit to work in Finland. You have the right to live and work here freely – see the next section for registration steps.)
Registration for EU/EEA Nationals
For employees relocating from another EU or EEA country (including Switzerland), Finland offers one of the most straightforward mobility processes in Europe. No visa or residence permit is required to start work, but once the employee settles, they must register their right of residence and complete a few administrative steps to access public services.
This registration is handled by the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri), usually within the first three months of arrival. It confirms the individual’s legal stay, updates their information in Finland’s population system, and allows them to obtain a Finnish personal identity code which is essential for payroll, taxation, healthcare and other official matters.
The process requires proof of employment or another valid basis for residence, such as self-employment, studies, or family ties. While straightforward in theory, coordination between the employee, employer, and various authorities (Migri, the tax office, and local registration services) often involves multiple steps.
Our team helps companies and their international hires streamline this process, from preparing the right documentation to booking appointments and ensuring all registrations are completed correctly.
Family Reunification (Bringing spouse and children)
Relocating talent often means relocating families too and Finland provides clear pathways for spouses and children to join employees who move here for work. When a worker holds a valid residence permit, their immediate family members are typically eligible to apply for residence permits on the basis of family ties, allowing them to live, study, and, in most cases, work in Finland.
In practice, this includes a spouse or registered partner, a long-term cohabiting partner, and children under 18 years old. Each family member submits a separate application, and all must provide documents proving the family relationship (such as marriage or birth certificates). These documents usually require translations and official legalization before being accepted by Finnish authorities.
Although the process is well structured, the exact requirements depend on the employee’s permit type, family composition and income level. Employers sponsoring international hires often assist with this coordination ensuring that both the employee and their family arrive smoothly and on schedule.
For highly skilled employees relocating under specialist permits or the EU Blue Card, Finland also offers a fast-track process for family members, allowing decisions in as little as two weeks when applications are submitted together.
Because every family situation is different, planning early helps avoid unnecessary waiting times.
We help employers and relocating professionals navigate the family permit process from document preparation to coordinating simultaneous submissions and fast-track eligibility.
Residence Registration and Post-Arrival Steps
Once an employee arrives in Finland, several key registrations must be completed before daily life and work can fully begin. These steps apply to both EU/EEA citizens and non-EU nationals with residence permits, and they form the foundation for things like payroll, healthcare access, and local services.
The process typically includes:
Registering personal details and address with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV). This ensures the employee is entered into Finland’s population system and receives a personal identity code, a requirement for tax, healthcare, and banking.
Obtaining a tax card from the Finnish Tax Administration (Vero). The tax card tells the employer how much tax to withhold from each salary payment. Without it, taxes may be deducted at the maximum rate by default.
Applying for a municipality of residence, if eligible. This determines access to public services such as healthcare and local benefits through Kela, Finland’s social insurance institution.
Opening a local bank account to receive salary payments and set up Finnish e-identification for online services.
While these steps are clearly outlined by the authorities, new arrivals often find the coordination between multiple offices time-consuming especially when balancing the start of a new role. For HR teams, it can also mean managing documentation and timelines across several departments.
Our relocation team helps both companies and employees handle these administrative steps efficiently. We coordinate appointments, ensure the correct sequence of registrations, and provide practical guidance to prevent delays in payroll or access to essential services.
If your company brings talent to Finland regularly, we can streamline these post-arrival processes so your employees can focus on settling in and getting started at work from day one.
Health Insurance and Social Security
Finland’s social security and healthcare systems are among the strongest in Europe, offering comprehensive coverage for residents. For relocating employees and their families, understanding how to access these benefits early on is essential.
Most employees who move to Finland for work become covered by Kela, the national social insurance institution, once they begin employment and register their residence. Kela coverage gives access to Finland’s public healthcare system, including doctor visits, hospitals, maternity care, and medication reimbursements. Employees receive a Kela card as proof of entitlement, which is used at clinics and pharmacies.
Employers also play an important role. Finnish companies are required to provide occupational healthcare, which covers basic medical services and health checks for employees. Many organizations go further by offering extended coverage through private healthcare providers, a valuable benefit for international hires adjusting to a new country.
While the system is efficient, eligibility and registration depend on residence status, contract duration, and salary level. Some employees may also need private health insurance temporarily before public coverage begins for example, during the first weeks after arrival or if their family joins later.
For HR teams managing international relocations, coordinating these steps correctly ensures continuous coverage and compliance with Finnish labor regulations.
We help both companies and relocating professionals confirm eligibility, set up Kela registration, and bridge any coverage gaps making sure every move is compliant, seamless, and stress-free from day one.
Additional Resources and Contacts
Finland’s official institutions offer clear information and digital tools to support a smooth relocation. Below are the most important resources for both employers and employees managing the move:
Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) – The national authority for residence permits, EU registrations, and D visas. Official portal: migri.fi
Enter Finland – The online service for submitting residence permit applications, uploading documents, and tracking case progress. enterfinland.fi
Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) – Handles population registration, personal identity codes, and municipalities of residence. dvv.fi
Finnish Tax Administration (Vero) – Issues tax cards and provides guidance on taxation for international employees. vero.fi
Kela – The Social Insurance Institution of Finland. Manages public healthcare coverage and social benefits for residents. kela.fi
International House Helsinki (IHH) – A one-stop service point in the capital region offering assistance with registration, taxation, and integration. ihhelsinki.fi
While these resources are comprehensive, navigating multiple authorities and deadlines can still be time-consuming — especially for companies managing several relocations at once.
Our team helps simplify the process by coordinating directly with Finnish authorities, ensuring every employee’s move is handled accurately, on schedule, and with full compliance. Whether you’re relocating a single specialist or building a global mobility program, we make settling in Finland seamless.
Moving to a new country involves a lot of paperwork, but Finland’s processes are efficient and many services are available in English. Don’t hesitate to use the above resources and ask for help when you need it.
Tervetuloa Suomeen – Welcome to Finland, and best of luck in your relocation and new career!