Immigration Formalities: What You Need to Know

Your right to work in Finland depends on your nationality and the type of residence permit you hold.

If you plan to stay in Finland for more than three months, you will need a residence permit. However, citizens of EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland are exempt from this requirement.

The type of residence permit you need will depend on the nature of the work or business you intend to undertake in Finland. You can use the Ministry of Foreign Affairs application finder to determine the appropriate type of residence permit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs application finder.

The required travel documents depend on the nationality of the visitor. For more information, please visit the pages of the Finnish Immigration Service.

Nordic citizens

As a Nordic citizen, you don't need a visa, residence permit, or employee’s residence permit to study or work in Finland. However, you must be able to reliably confirm your identity and nationality, typically with a passport or an identification card that includes your picture. If your stay exceeds six months, you need to register at the Local Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).do 

EU/EEA nationals

As a citizen of the EU, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland, you can freely work in other EU countries for up to three months. The EU countries include the Netherlands, Belgium, Bulgaria, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Austria, Greece, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Poland, France, Romania, Sweden, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, Denmark, Czech Republic, Hungary, Finland, and Estonia.

You do not need a work permit if your stay is up to three months. However, if you plan to stay longer, you must register your right of residence at the Finnish Immigration Services.

To register your right of residence as an EU citizen in Finland, follow these steps:

1. Fill in the application form: Use the Enter Finland online service to complete the application form and include the required appendices
2. Visit a service point: You must go to a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service to prove your identity and present the original copies of the appendices to your application. Make sure to book an appointment in advance through the electronic appointment booking service.

The registration of your residence permit is valid until further notice. After five years of continuous and legal residence in Finland, you are entitled to permanent residence as a citizen of the European Union.

Besides this registration, you also need to register your personal data with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).

Find out more about your rights as an EU citizen: ec.europa.eu/justice/opinion/your-rights-your-future.

Third country nationals

Short-Term Stays (Up to 90 Days)

• If you are coming to Finland as a researcher, teacher, or specialist for a stay of up to 90 days, you do not need a residence permit.
• However, you must have a valid Schengen visa, unless your country is exempt from the visa requirement.
• Your right to work during this period is limited to the specific purpose stated in your visa (e.g. research or teaching).

To check whether you need a visa and how to apply, please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs webpage.

Longer Stays (Over 90 Days)

• For stays longer than 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit for a researcher or specialist before arriving in Finland.
• This residence permit also grants you the right to work in your field.
• The conditions of your right to work will be clearly stated in your residence permit decision.

Residence permit

You can apply for the residence permit online at Enter Finland. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs application finder will guide you to the correct type of residence permit. The most common residence permit types for our employees are:

• Residence permit for a researcher
• Residence permit for a specialist

To apply for the residence permit, you will need a hosting agreement. HR will automatically provide this document once all employment details have been finalized.

If you relocate with family, you can find information on residence permits for family members on the Finnish immigration services website. We always recommend that you apply for the residence permit for family members at the same time as you apply for your own as the processing times when applying separately might be significantly longer for the family members. 

For identification purposes, you will also need to visit your closest Finnish embassy or consulate. 

Consider getting health insurance from your home country, especially when you first arrive and are still settling in. We highly recommend additional health insurance even for EU citizens, as the European Health Insurance Card only covers necessary medical treatment in the public sector. For more information about insurance, please visit migri.fi/en/insurance.

If you are coming from another EU/EEA country or Switzerland and working simultaneously in two or more EU countries, you must carry an A1 Certificate. This form indicates which EU country is responsible for your social security contributions.
 

Please remember to bring your original degree certificates with you. They will be verified when you start work.

If you and your accompanying family members plan to live in Finland for at least a year, you must all register your residence with the local Digital and Population Data Services Agency. If you are married or have children, you need to provide a legalized copy of your marriage and/or birth certificates during registration. For more information on how to legalize these certificates, please refer to the pages on Legalisation of documents, The Apostille Certificate, and Finnish diplomatic missions abroad.

Pets

For information on importing pets to Finland, you can visit the Finnish Food Authority's website. They provide detailed guidelines on the requirements and procedures for bringing pets into the country.

Car

If you plan to bring your car to Finland, you'll find detailed instructions in the Finnish Tax Administration's guide and the Traficom website.

Currency

Please note that currency exchange services are not available in Vaasa. Any cash you bring to Finland should be in euros, as dollars and cheques are not accepted. If you are unable to exchange euros before arriving in Finland, you can do so at Helsinki Airport or Forex branches in other cities. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, and you can also withdraw cash from ATMs.