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:

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 is a safe and welcoming city, ideal for individuals and families alike. Whether you're moving with your spouse or with children, you'll find that settling in is smooth and rewarding. The city offers a strong network of day care centers and schools, as well as a wide range of free-time activities for children of all ages.

Finland is known for its excellent family benefits, which support both parents and partners. Vaasa’s community-oriented atmosphere and high quality of life make it a great choice for those relocating with loved ones.

If you and your family members require residence permits to move to Finland, we recommend submitting all applications at the same time. This will shorten the processing time for everyone involved. For more information on residence permits, please see the Immigration formalities section of this electronic guide. 

If you are married abroad and wish to have your marriage officially recorded in Finland’s Population Information System, you’ll need to submit a valid marriage certificate. This can be either the original certificate or a certified copy, and it must be properly authenticated in the country where the marriage took place.

You can submit the certificate to the nearest Finnish Embassy or Consulate, or send it directly to the local register office (DVV) in the municipality where you last lived in Finland.

Since marriage certificates are typically issued in the local language of the country where the marriage occurred, they must be translated into Finnish or Swedish by an authorized translator. If the translation is done abroad, it must also be authenticated with an apostille.

For more details, visit the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).

Before relocating, make sure you have all the necessary documents for your children. These may include birth certificates, custody agreements, vaccination records, and school transcripts. Documents should be officially translated into Finnish, Swedish, or English, and in some cases, legalized or apostilled. These documents may be required for residence permit applications, school enrollment, and access to health services.

Children under school age are entitled to municipal day care if their parent has a registered municipality of residence in Finland. This right also applies to children of EU citizens residing in Finland.

For questions related to day care services, applications, or fees, please contact the City of Vaasa.

Children are entitled to free preschool education (4 hours per day) during the year before they begin primary school. After preschool, children may continue in day care at the same centre where the preschool classes are held. You can find information about preschool groups in Vaasa on the websites of individual day-care centres.

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

Compulsory education begins at age 6 with one year of pre-primary education and continues until the age of 18. It includes:

• Pre-primary education (age 6)
• Primary education (grades 1–6)
• Lower secondary education (grades 7–9)
• Upper secondary education (general or vocational)

All levels of compulsory education are free of charge, including textbooks, daily school meals, and transportation when needed.

The Finnish education system is designed to be inclusive, offering support for students with special needs and ensuring equal learning opportunities for all. Most children attend their local municipal school, which helps reduce disparities in educational outcomes.

Instead of standardized testing, student progress is assessed through continuous teacher-led evaluation. Each school follows a local curriculum based on the National Core Curriculum.

Completing basic education does not result in a formal qualification, but students receive a school-leaving certificate, which provides access to all forms of upper secondary education and training. Nearly all children in Finland complete their compulsory education.

Read more about basic education in Finland on the Ministry of Education and Culture website.

In Vaasa, primary education is typically provided in Finnish or Swedish, depending on the child’s language background and family preference. In addition to these, Suvilahti Primary School and the English Department at Vaasa Övningsskola offer instruction in English through CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning), where subjects are taught in a foreign language to support bilingual learning.

For more information about basic education opportunities in Vaasa, please visit the Basic Education page on the City of Vaasa website.

Family members who have the right to work in Finland - such as spouses of international staff - can access a wide range of employment opportunities through public and private services. In Vaasa, several organizations and platforms support job seekers in finding suitable roles and building their careers.

If you are planning to work in Finland in a regulated profession or in a role that requires a specific level of higher education, you may need a formal decision on the recognition of your qualifications. This decision is issued by the Finnish National Agency for Education or another competent authority, depending on the profession.

Recognition of qualifications determines whether your foreign education or professional background meets the requirements for employment or further studies in Finland. The process and requirements vary depending on the field and the nature of the qualification.

For detailed guidance and application instructions, please visit the Finnish National Agency for Education’s website.

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