Living in Vaasa: What You Need for Everyday Life

The Vaasa Welcome Office is your first stop for settling into the city. Located in the main library, the Welcome Office offers a range of services for immigrants, foreign employees, and visitors. You can make an appointment or simply drop by during office hours to get the support you need, whether you need information, materials, or assistance. 

Finding a comfortable rental apartment is essential for ensuring a pleasant stay in Vaasa. It is a good idea to start your search as soon as your arrival date is confirmed. Finding a furnished apartment, particularly during the months of August and September, can be quite challenging. Therefore, it is best to act quickly.

Furnished apartments for short-term visits & other accommodation options

The University of Vaasa offers two fully furnished studio apartments available for rent to visitors. The weekly rent ranges from €276 to €326 per person. To book the University guest apartments, please contact the University of Vaasa Facility Services at tilat(a)uwasa.fi.

Some companies in Vaasa offer furnished apartments for individuals and families, available for daily or monthly rental. These apartments are typically of high standard and often include services such as cleaning. Some providers include amenities like breakfast, sauna, and other facilities in the rental cost. Additionally, some hotels offer attractive deals for long-term stays. You can find all available options in the Vaasa region on the City of Vaasa webpage.

Renting an apartment in Vaasa

The monthly rent for a studio apartment in Vaasa typically ranges from €500 to €700. Owners generally prefer to lease these apartments for a minimum of one year, making short-term rentals less common. Additionally, these apartments are usually rented out unfurnished.

Obtaining private home insurance is strongly recommended and may be required by some landlords. It is also standard practice to request a rental deposit equivalent to 1-2 months' rent when signing the rental agreement. This deposit will be refunded at the end of the lease, provided the apartment is in good condition.

You can find a list of rental apartments mediators operating in the region on the City of Vaasa webpage.

In Vaasa, you can choose to live in the city center, by the sea, or in the countryside, all while remaining close to all services. Refer to the city guide for information on the various neighborhoods.

Here are some useful links about housing in Finland:

If you are bringing your family with you, you will find a lot of useful information in the following webpages:

Living in Finland: Family
Social services for families with children

Employment

Many public services and organizations offer employment opportunities for those family memebrs who have the working rights in Finland.

More information about the open vacancies and job search:

• University of Vaasa
• Aarresaari Career Services
• Job market Finland
• Barona
• Eezy
• Support for finding a job (TE Services)
• Living in Finland: Work and Enterprise

Moving to Vaasa with your family

Vaasa is a safe, child friendly city with a good day care and school network and lot's of free-time activities for small and young children. The family benefits in Finland are also good (see e.g. Kela benefits for families), so it's safe to say that bringing your family to Vaasa will not prove to be difficult.

If you and your family need a residence permit to come to Finland, we advise that all family members apply for the permit at the same time, as the processing time will be shorter for the family members when doing so.

Marriage

In order for information on marriage to be entered in the Population Information System in Finland, the original marriage certificate duly authenticated in the country of residence or a certified copy thereof must be submitted to the nearest Finnish Embassy or Consulate or sent to the local register office of the municipality where the person was most recently resident in Finland. Since marriage certificates are usually drafted in the language of the issuing country, they must be translated into Finnish or Swedish by an authorized translator. If the translation is carried out abroad then the translation must also be authenticated by an apostille. More information on the Digital and Population Data Services Agency DVV

Recognition of foreign qualifications in Finland

Those who want to work in Finland in a regulated profession or in a post that requires a higher education degree of a certain level, might need a decision on recognition of his / her qualification(s) made by the Finnish National Agency for Education or another competent authority. More information onthe Finnish National Agency for Education website.

Day Care in Finland

A child under school age is entitled to day care organised by the municipality if the child’s parent has a registered municipality of residence in Finland. Also an EU Citizen's childern under school age have the right to day care organised by the home municipality.

Please contact the City of Vaasa in questions concerning day care, applications and day care fees.  

Children are entitled to free preschool (4 h per day) for one year before starting their primary education. After this, children can continue day care in the same day-care centre where the preschool classes are given. You can check the groups for preschools in Vaasa on the web page for individual day-care centres.

Basic education - Comprehensive schools

Finland is renowned for its high-quality education system, which emphasizes equality and student well-being.

• Compulsory education starts at age 6 with one year of pre-primary education and continues until age 18.
• It includes pre-primary education, primary education (grades 1-6), lower secondary education (grades 7-9), and upper secondary education (either general or vocational).
• All levels of compulsory education are free of charge, including textbooks, school meals, and transportation if needed.
• The system is designed to be inclusive, providing support for students with special needs and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
• Most students attend local municipal schools, which helps to minimize disparities in educational outcomes.
• Instead of standardized tests, student progress is assessed by teachers through continuous assessment.

The local or school curriculum is based on a national core curriculum. Completing the basic education syllabus does not lead to any qualification, but the school-leaving certificate gives access to all upper secondary education and training. Nearly all children complete their compulsory schooling.

Read more about basic education in Finland on theMinistry of Education and Culture web-page.

Primary Schools in Vaasa

Primary school education in Vaasa is normally arranged in Finnish or Swedish. Suvilahti primary school and the English department in Vaasa Övningsskola offer classes also in English (CLIL - Content and Language Integrated Learning).

For more information on basic educational opportunities in Vaasa, please see Basic education | Vaasa,

In Case of Emergency

In Finland, there is only one emergency number: 112.
Call 112 if you urgently need the police, an ambulance, or the fire brigade. No area code is required. 

• When you call, the operator will answer with: “Hätäkeskus – Nödcentralen” (Emergency Response Centre in Finnish and Swedish).
• Clearly state your name and explain what has happened.
• Do not hang up until you are told to do so.

Health Care in Finland

Finland offers high-quality public health care services at affordable rates. However, access to these services depends on your residency status and reason for staying in Finland.

Who Is Entitled to Public Health Care?

You are entitled to use public health services if you have a municipality of residence (kotikunta) in Finland. This is determined by:

• Your country of origin
• The reason for your stay (e.g. work, study)
• Whether your stay is permanent or temporary
• The length of your stay if temporary

EU/EEA Citizens

If you are an EU or EEA citizen, you are entitled to emergency and medically necessary treatment by presenting your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This includes care for chronic conditions that require attention during your stay.

If You Don’t Have a Municipality of Residence

Even without a municipality of residence, Kela (the Finnish Social Insurance Institution) may grant you a certificate of entitlement to medical care—for example, if you are working in Finland for a short period. This depends on your individual situation.

Regardless of your status, urgent care must always be provided, no matter your nationality or residence. However, without a municipality of residence or a Kela certificate, treatment - especially hospital care - can be expensive.

Health Insurance Recommendation

We strongly recommend obtaining private health insurance from your home country before arriving in Finland. This is especially important during your initial period of settling in.

Some commonly used providers include:

• Sip Insurance
• ACS
• Swisscare

You can also find a list of recommended insurance providers on the Finnish Immigration Service website.

If you want to stay updated on all the exciting events and activities happening in Vaasa, the Visit Vaasa webpage and the Vaasa Region events calendar are your go-to resources. These calendars provide comprehensive listings of cultural events, festivals, concerts, sports activities, and more. 

Whether you're a resident or a visitor, you'll find plenty of opportunities to explore and enjoy the vibrant life in Vaasa. 

Here are some of the best English-language news sources for staying informed about Finland:

1. Helsinki Times
   The Helsinki Times is Finland’s only dedicated English-language newspaper. It covers national news, politics, business, culture, and international affairs with a Finnish perspective. It’s a reliable source for daily updates and in-depth features.
2. Daily Finland
   Daily Finland offers English-language news on national and international topics, including politics, business, education, and health. It’s a good source for both breaking news and broader coverage of Finnish society.
3. Yle News in English
   Yle is Finland’s national public broadcasting company. Its English-language news service provides accurate and timely coverage of Finnish and global events, including politics, social issues, and cultural developments.

Vaasa offers a great balance between convenience and variety when it comes to shopping. Whether you're looking for everyday essentials, stylish home décor, or secondhand treasures, the city has something for everyone.

Grocery and Daily Essentials

Most people in Vaasa shop for food at one of the major supermarkets such as K-Citymarket, Prisma, Minimani or Lidl. These stores offer a wide selection of groceries, household items, and ready-made meals.

Smaller convenience stores like S-market, K-market and Sale are located throughout the city, often within walking distance, and are ideal for quick purchases and basic supplies.

Hypermarkets and Shopping Centres

For a wider selection of goods—including clothing, electronics, kitchenware, and furniture—head to the larger hypermarkets and shopping centres located just outside the city centre. These are easily accessible by bike, bus, or car.

Popular shopping areas include:

• Kivihaka – known for its large furniture and home goods stores
• GW Galleria and Rewell Center – central shopping malls with fashion, beauty, and lifestyle stores

Furniture and Home Goods

Vaasa has a variety of furniture stores, many of which are located in the Kivihaka district. You’ll find both well-known chains and local shops offering everything from modern Scandinavian design to budget-friendly basics.

Secondhand and Vintage Shopping

Vaasa is also home to a vibrant secondhand scene, perfect for sustainable shopping and unique finds. Some popular options include:

• Combo Flea Market – Lentokentäntie 7
• Combolina Second Hand & Outlet – Sepänkyläntie 4
• Minimossen Recycling Mall – Muurahaistie 1
• SPR-Kirppis (Red Cross) – Vöyrinkatu 42
• Folkhälsans Retro Bazar – Markkinatie 1, Korsholm
• Fyndis – Markkinatie 3, Korsholm

You can explore a full list of shops and secondhand stores on the City of Vaasa’s shopping directory

In Finland, mobile phones are the primary means of communication - telephone booths and landlines are now rare. Whether you're staying short-term or long-term, getting a mobile phone with a prepaid SIM card is a convenient and affordable way to stay connected.

Common Mobile Operators

Some of the most widely used mobile service providers in Finland include:

• Telia
• Elisa
• DNA

You can purchase prepaid SIM cards and top-up vouchers at:

• Operator stores (Telia, Elisa, DNA)
• R-kioski convenience stores
• S-Group and K-Group grocery stores

Making International Calls

To call abroad from Finland, dial ‘+’, followed by the country code, area code, and the phone number.

Library services in Finland are free for all registered users. While borrowing books and other materials is free of charge, some additional services—such as photocopying, reserving items, or returning materials late—may incur small fees, typically only covering actual costs.

Everyone living permanently in Finland, including children, is eligible for a library card. Many public libraries also issue cards to temporary residents.

Vaasa City Library

The main library is centrally located at:

Kirjastonkatu 13
65100 Vaasa

In addition to the main library, there are several smaller branch libraries throughout the city. You can find up-to-date information about their locations, opening hours, and available services on the Vaasa City Library website.

The following are national public holidays in Finland. On public holidays, banks, post offices, and many public services are closed. However, most shops remain open, especially in larger cities. Public transport schedules may also change, so if you're planning to travel, it's a good idea to check timetables in advance.

• New Year’s Day – 1 January
• Epiphany – 6 January
• Easter – Dates vary (March or April)
• Labour Day / May Day – 1 May
• Ascension Day – 40 days after Easter (in May)
• Midsummer Eve – Friday between 19–25 June
• Midsummer Day – Saturday following Midsummer Eve
• All Saints’ Day – Saturday between 31 October and 6 November
• Independence Day – 6 December
• Christmas Eve – 24 December
• Christmas Day – 25 December
• Boxing Day – 26 December

Vaasa is a compact and accessible city, making it easy to get around on foot, by bike, or by public transport.

Walking and Cycling

Many locals choose to walk or cycle year-round, thanks to the city’s well-maintained network of pedestrian and cycling paths. Whether you're commuting to work, heading to the university, or just exploring, cycling is a convenient and eco-friendly option.

You don’t need to spend a lot on a new bike - most bike shops in Vaasa sell second-hand bicycles, which are often in good condition. You can also find great deals by joining local Facebook buy-and-sell groups, where residents regularly post used bikes and cycling gear.

Public Transport: 

Vaasa also has a reliable and extensive local bus network, operated by Lifti. Buses are a great option for getting around the city and nearby areas.

You can travel using:

• Single tickets (purchased directly from the driver)
• Waltti travel cards, available as:
  • Season tickets (valid for a set period)
  • Value cards (pay-as-you-go)

For more information, including ticket prices and where to get a Waltti card, visit the City of Vaasa website.

Journey Planner

To plan your route and check real-time schedules, use the online journey planner available on the city’s website. It provides up-to-date information on bus routes, stops, and timetables, helping you navigate the city with ease.

Driving in Finland is generally safe and straightforward, with well-maintained roads and clear signage. Here are some key things to know:

Road Rules

• Drive on the right-hand side of the road.
• Distances are measured in kilometres (km) and speed limits in kilometres per hour (km/h).
• International road signs are used, making it easier for visitors to understand traffic rules.

Winter Tyres

Due to Finland’s long and snowy winters, winter tyres are mandatory under certain conditions:

• Studded or non-studded winter tyres must be used from 1 November to 31 March, or longer if weather or road conditions require.
• This rule also applies to vehicles with foreign registration plates.

Driving Licences

If you hold a foreign driving licence, you may be allowed to drive in Finland for a limited time, depending on your country of origin and the type of licence. For detailed and up-to-date information on:

• Validity of foreign licences
• Licence exchange procedures
• Driving tests and requirements

Visit the official Finnish driving licence information portal: Ajokortti-info.fi