Moving to Finland: what to do from day one

Steps after arrival

1. 1Migri

   Get your residence permit card

   The card is produced and posted about two weeks after a positive decision. Without it, proving your right of residence at registration and at the bank is difficult.

   • Check your application status in Enter Finland
   • Make sure the delivery address is correct
   • Carry the card with your passport
   migri.fi — residence permit →
2. 2DVV

   Register and get a personal identity code

   Registration in the Population Information System gives you a personal identity code (henkilötunnus) and, if the conditions are met, a municipality of residence (kotikunta). This is the foundation: Kela, health care, school and daycare all depend on it.

   A personal identity code may already have been assigned when you applied for your permit — in that case you do not request it separately, but the municipality of residence is registered at DVV.

   • Book a DVV appointment early — waiting times can be long
   • Passport and residence permit card
   • Tenancy agreement or proof of address
   • Marriage and birth certificates (translated and apostilled if required)
   dvv.fi — individuals →
3. 3Bank

   Open an account and get online banking codes

   Online banking credentials (pankkitunnukset) are the key to every public e-service: OmaVero, OmaKela, Suomi.fi. Without strong identification you will have to do much of it in person.

   The bank may ask about the origin of your funds and the purpose of your stay. If one bank refuses, try another — practices differ.

   • Passport and residence permit card
   • Personal identity code
   • Employment contract or proof of studies
   • Ask specifically about activating strong identification
4. 4Vero

   Order a tax card

   Without a tax card (verokortti) your employer withholds tax at 60 percent. You can order it in OmaVero or in person at a tax office.

   If you work in construction or shipbuilding you also need a tax number (veronumero).

   • Estimate your annual income as accurately as you can
   • Give the card to your employer before your first payday
   • Order a new card if your income changes — back-taxes are painful
   vero.fi — individuals →
5. 5Kela

   Apply for social security coverage

   Kela benefits do not start automatically when you move. Coverage depends on whether you have moved to Finland permanently or work here, and Kela makes a separate decision on whether you are covered.

   After a positive decision you receive a Kela card, which you need for medicine and doctor reimbursements.

   • Apply in OmaKela or on paper
   • Attach your employment contract or evidence of a permanent move
   • Check child benefit and housing allowance separately
   kela.fi →
6. 6Municipality

   Ask for integration services

   Since 1 January 2025 your municipality, not a TE Office, is responsible for integration. You get an assessment of your service needs and, where appropriate, an integration plan (kotoutumissuunnitelma).

   The plan opens access to Finnish language courses and integration training. A multilingual course on Finnish society explains your rights, obligations and how the system works.

   • Look for kotoutuminen or maahanmuuttajat on your municipality website
   • Register as a jobseeker if you are looking for work
   • Ask whether you qualify for free language courses
   kotoutuminen.fi →
7. 7Wellbeing county

   Get into the health care system

   Public health care is organised by the wellbeing services county (hyvinvointialue) where you live. Access normally follows once your municipality of residence is registered.

   If you are employed, your employer must arrange occupational health care (työterveyshuolto) — check its scope with them.

   • Find your local health station (terveysasema) by address
   • Save the emergency number 112
   • Medical helpline: 116 117
8. 8Children

   Arrange daycare or school

   Children living in Finland have the right to early childhood education and are subject to compulsory education. Applications go to the municipality.

   The daycare fee depends on family income: for full-time care it is 10.7 percent of income above the threshold, at most 335 euros a month for the youngest child from 1 August 2026.

   • Apply for daycare well in advance — deadlines vary by municipality
   • Ask about preparatory education (valmistava opetus) for school-age children
   • Check the right to mother-tongue instruction
9. 9Migri

   Plan your extension and citizenship

   Apply for an extended permit before your current one expires. A permanent residence permit is usually possible after four years of continuous residence, but the conditions changed during 2026 — check the current requirements.

   Citizenship: the general residence requirement is 8 years, or 5 years with certified Finnish or Swedish skills or marriage to a Finnish citizen. Sufficient income and a clean record are also required.

   • Keep every document about your residence and income
   • Take the YKI language test early — it shortens the requirement
   • Make sure there are no gaps between permits
   migri.fi — Finnish citizenship →

Before you have a Finnish account: a European card

Opening an account at a Finnish bank can take weeks: the bank needs your personal identity code, documents and sometimes a branch visit. Meanwhile you already need to pay for things and receive money somewhere.

A practical stopgap is an account with a European fintech service. It opens online within days, gives you a European IBAN and a card, and in most cases your salary can be paid into it.

Some links here are partner links: if you open an account through them, Selkoraha may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This does not affect the content, and we do not give financial advice.

Calculators for this path

Frequently asked questions

What should I do first after moving to Finland?

Register with DVV and get a personal identity code (henkilötunnus) and a municipality of residence. Without them Kela, health care, school and daycare do not work. A code may already have been assigned with your permit, but the municipality is registered at DVV.

Do I need a personal identity code to open a bank account?

Usually yes. The bank also wants your passport, residence permit card and proof of purpose — an employment contract or proof of studies. Practices differ between banks, so if one refuses, try another.

Do Kela benefits start automatically when I move?

No. Kela makes a separate decision on whether you are covered by Finnish social security. It depends on whether you moved permanently or work here. You apply in OmaKela.

Where do I get Finnish language courses?

Since 1 January 2025 your municipality, not a TE Office, is responsible for integration. The municipality assesses your service needs and, where appropriate, draws up an integration plan that opens access to courses.

What happens if I do not order a tax card?

Your employer withholds tax at 60 percent. Order the card in OmaVero and give it to your employer before your first payday.

After how many years can I apply for citizenship?

The general residence requirement is 8 years since 1 October 2024. It is five years with certified Finnish or Swedish skills or marriage to a Finnish citizen. Sufficient income and a clean record are also required.