Living in :
Finland
Once in Finland, there are more things you need to do. These include:
Registering your arrival
As an EU national you do not need a work permit to work in Finland. However it is always best to be prepared, and have employment set up before you go. You are able to enter the country as a tourist and to look for a job once you arrive.
As an EU Citizen, you are entitled to stay freely in Finland and work for 3 months. If you plan on staying longer than this, you must apply for a residence certificate.
Migri - Finnish Immigration Service
Expat Finland - EU citizens right to work in Finland
Once in Finland, and if you know you are staying beyond the 3 month mark, you will need to go to the police to apply for your residence certificate. Full information regarding forms and fees can be found here:
Poliisi - Registration of EU citizens
In addition, when staying longer you will need to join the Population Information System. Information can be found here:
Expat Finland - Registration in the Population Information System
Population Register Centre - The System
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Tax registration with the authorities
If planning on staying/working/buying a house or car, you must obtain a Kela Number. This number identifies you to the the authorities and is required when dealing with the many different organisations. Details regarding how to obtain one of these can be found in the links below.
Kela - Residence in Finland
Kela - Kela Card
Your tax liability in Finland is dependent on how long you stay. Full information from the tax office can be found here:
Vero Skatt - Working in Finland
You are responsible for obtaining your Verokortti (Tax Card) from your local tax office. More information regarding how to register for a can be found here:
Expat Finland - Taxation in Finland
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Registering children with daycare/school/universities
Information regarding childcare for pre-school children can be found here:
Suomi - Child Care
Expat Finland - English language Kindergartens & Preschools in Finland
STM - Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
The rules for compulsory schooling are simple. Children are expected to start school at the age of 6. One of the biggest decisions you need to make will be "Do I want my children educated in English, at an International school, or in a Finnish school?" Finland is considered to have one of the best education systems in the world. These sites may help you with this decision.
OPH - Finnish National Board of Education
OPH - Basic Education
Expat Finland - International Schools in Finland
Virtual Finland - Supporting lifelong learning
Koulutusnetti - How to apply to education
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Signing up with a Dr or Dentist etc
Most Doctors and Dentists are English speaking. You have a free choice of general practitioner, paediatrician and several specialists within your area, providing your choice does not bring the doctor's/dentist's list above the maximum patients permitted. For a referal, ask around - other Brits in the neighbourhood can help as well as many of the locals.
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Set up a bank account
Opening a bank account can be a challenge! Hopefully, these sites should give you the information you need.
Expat Finland - Finnish Bank Accounts
Expat Finland - Opening a Finnish Personal Bank Account
Expat Focus - Banking
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Convert your driving license?
The first thing you need to be aware of is if you move abroad, you cannot have your new international address added to your British driving licence.
Directgov - Driving Abroad on a GB Licence
You can apply for an International Driving Permit as a temporary solution although the Finnish authorities will accept your UK licence so this is not necessary. Information about this can be found here:
Driving Permit - International Driving Permit
Alternatively, you have two other choices. Either leave it with your last address in the UK, or submit it to the Finnish authorities and have it replaced with a Finnish Licence. However, if you take up permanent residence in Finland at any time, be aware that you are then obligated to exchange your licence for a Finnish one.
Regardless of your decision regarding your licence, you should familiarise yourself with the rules of the roads! The Finnish government has produced a comprehensive booklet regarding driving in Finland:
Ministry of Transport - Driving in Finland
Ministry of Transport - Driving in Finland, the rules
Europa - Getting there
Traffic offences are treated very seriously and are registered. if you receive three fines within one year or four within two years you will be disqualified from further driving in Finland. Fines are usually pretty expensive too! Be careful!
And finally, please remember that although in the UK you can take and pass your driving test at the age of 17, in Finland, your licence is not valid until your 18th birthday! Other general differences can be found here:
ViaMichelin - Driving in Europe - Similarities and Differences
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Registering or buying a car
Deciding whether to take your car or not is something you will need to think about. What is "right" varies from person to person. For example, for my first move, I took my UK car with me for the first 6 months only. This gave me the security blanket when I wasn't sure if I would stay. Had I returned to the UK, I wouldn't have then had to look for a new car. Having decided to stay, I returned my UK car to the UK, and bought a local one. Just make sure that if you decide to take your own car, your insurance covers you properly with a "permanent green card"!
Don't forget you must also notify the DVLA if you plan to take your car out of the UK either temporarily or permanently.
Direct Gov - Taking your car abroad
Tulli - Finnish Customs - Temporary Use of Motor Vehicles in Finland
Expat Finland - Importation of Motor Vehicles to Finland
AKE, Vehicle Administration - Vehicles imported as removal goods
Buying a car in Finland is slightly different. Take a look at this site.
AKE, Vehicle Administration - The right way to purchase a car
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Search for a job
There are a number of websites which focus on job searches in Finland. The following are a few, however we can not take liability for any of their content or claims. It is also worth actually going into agencies on the street with your up to date CV.
Jobs Abroad
4ICJ
Job Centre Plus
Executives on the Web
Tip Top Jobs
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Register for language courses
Us Brits are terrible when it comes to learning languages! It's awful to walk around the shops and feel illiterate. Seeing the letters but not understanding the words. It can leave you feeling very isolated. Learning the language has many benefits. Firstly, it teaches you the essentials you will need to get by. Secondly, it helps you meet people - often people in a similar situation to yourself. And thirdly, it makes people take you more seriously on a daily basis.
Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on language courses.
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Recycling
Each area has its own recycling rules. Make sure you speak with neighbours or the local council to find out the rules for your area.
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If a student, check out the local student life
Once you know where you will be studying, contact your campus to find out about the local social life. Find out the "in" places to go and the local club scene. Most students work hard, but play harder!
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Marrying in Finland
When living in a foreign country, it is not unthinkable that you might meet and later want to marry someone in Finland.
More information can be found here:
Foreign Office - Marriage Formalities in Finland
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British Nationals dying in Finland
While in Finland, although none of us wants to think about it, it is possible that you could be left to deal with the death of a loved one. There are many decisions to be made and the following website by the British Embassy in Helsinki will be of help.
Foreign Office - Registering Deaths of British Nationals in Finland
Foreign Office - Help if someone dies
The British Foreign Office have put together a booklet (PDF) which you can download.
Foreign Office - Death Overseas
Please also visit our Repatriation page where we go into this in more detail.
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Protect your pension
As a UK citizen you are entitled to a UK pension when you retire. This can and will be paid into your bank account anywhere in the world. However, whether you get a full or part pension at retirement age depends on your contributions.
Be aware that you are able to pay into a private pension for 5 years after you leave the UK, however advisers also suggest that you consider paying voluntary NI contributions to preserve your state pension entitlements.
You can find out how much to pay by calling the HMRC International Services Helpline on +44 (0) 845 9154811 giving them your UK NI Number. There are many ways to pay, the link below will be of use.
HM Revenue & Customs - Paying NI from abroad
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Keep an eye out for your work / residence permit / insurances / passport lapsing...
This may seem obvious but make sure you know exactly when each of your documents are due to expire! To begin with you may not be able to read the correspondence these companies are sending you. This makes renewal notices very difficult to understand. The last thing you want is to find out that part of your life is no longer legal... Whether it's your right to live in the country or your car insurance have those dates marked clearly somewhere that you check regularly and if it spans more than one year... make sure you copy it over to the following year!
If your passport is due to expire you will need this website:
Foreign Office - Passports
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Emergencies
All Emergency Services can be reached by dialing 112.
If anything else goes seriously wrong, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office offers the following help:
Foreign Office - When things go wrong
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