Moving to Finland in 2026

Moving to Finland: entry, first 30 days, 3-month budget

Newcomers move on a residence permit for work, study, a startup or family reunification: the application is filed online, and documents are shown at a Finnish embassy or visa centre. Separate rules for some nationalities are in the section rules for specific nationalities.

1. Before the trip. Online permit application, identity check at a Finnish embassy or visa centre, waiting for the decision.
2. Days 1-30. Entry, registration with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency, a personal identity code, a bank account.
3. Days 30-90. Registration with social security, a tax card for work, school and daycare for children.

Tampere, Turku and Oulu are noticeably cheaper than the capital. A family budget depends on its size and the residence ground; we calculate it in the chat. Exchange rate: about $1.12 per euro on 5 October 2026.

Finland in brief

Finland is a northern European Union country between Sweden, Norway and Russia with a population of about 5.6 million. The capital is Helsinki, and the official languages are Finnish and Swedish. The country has been in the European Union since 1995, uses the euro and has been a NATO member since April 2023. The economy rests on technology and telecoms, game development, forestry and paper, engineering and metals. Finland is known for its strong education system, low corruption, clean nature with thousands of lakes, and safety.

Finland suits specialists with a job or an offer from a Finnish employer, founders of tech startups and families who value free education, safety and nature. It suits less those seeking low taxes, a warm climate or quick citizenship.

History and government

For about six centuries the Finnish lands were part of Sweden, hence Swedish as the second official language and Swedish names of coastal towns. In 1809 Finland became an autonomous grand duchy within the Russian Empire, and on 6 December 1917 it declared independence. After the Winter War of 1939-1940 and the Second World War the country kept its independence and long remained neutral. Today Finland is a parliamentary republic with a president responsible for foreign policy and defence and a government led by the prime minister.

How to move in 2026

A startup founder's residence application costs 650 euros online, about $730. Since October 2024 citizenship has been granted after 8 years of residence with Finnish or Swedish and sufficient income. More on the startup route on the page about the Finnish startup visa.

Taxes

Finland taxes salaries on a state scale from 12.64% to 37.5% plus a municipal tax set by each municipality, and church members also pay church tax. Capital income is taxed at 30%, and 34% above 30,000 euros a year. VAT is 25.5%, and 13.5% on food and restaurants. Corporate tax is 20%. A person becomes tax resident if they have a permanent home in Finland or stay more than 6 months in a row. More on the page about Finnish taxes.

Rules for specific nationalities

Finland applies separate rules to citizens of Russia.

• Russia. The land border with Russia has been closed since late 2023, there are no direct flights, and entry on tourist visas has been restricted since 2022. The law prohibits Russian citizens from buying homes and land in Finland, so they rent. Work, study, startup and family reunification permits are considered under the general rules, security checks can lengthen processing, and documents are shown at visa centres outside Russia.

Cost of living

Life in Finland is expensive, especially in the capital region: rent, restaurants and services cost as much as in other Nordic countries. Groceries cost more than in Germany, and VAT is among the highest in the European Union. On the other hand, schools are free, including lunches, and daycare fees depend on family income. Healthcare is mainly public, and employers provide free occupational healthcare. University is free for European Union citizens, while others pay for English-taught programmes.

Where to live

• Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa. The capital region with the most tech jobs, international schools and the main airport.
• Tampere. The second hub, with industry, universities and tech companies, and cheaper housing than the capital.
• Turku. The country's oldest city on the south-west coast, with strong Swedish influence and a port.
• Oulu. The tech centre of the north, telecoms and electronics, cold winters.
• Lapland. Northern lights, polar night and tourism, with mostly seasonal work.

Practicalities

• Registration. After moving you register your address and receive a personal identity code, without which you cannot open a bank account or access healthcare.
• Language. Finnish and Swedish; English is widely spoken, especially in the capital and tech companies.
• Climate. Winter is long and dark, about minus 5 in Helsinki and down to minus 30 in Lapland. Summer brings about 20 degrees and white nights.
• Transport. Good public transport, trains between cities, ferries from Helsinki to Tallinn in about two hours and overnight ships to Stockholm.
• Sauna. The country has several million saunas, found in almost every house and many flats.

Business and companies

The most popular form is the limited company: there has been no minimum capital since 2019, and registration in the trade register of the Patent and Registration Office is done online. At least one board member must live in the European Economic Area, otherwise the office's permission is needed. Companies pay 20% corporate tax and register for VAT if turnover exceeds the threshold. More on the page about company registration in Finland.

Who Finland suits

Finland is a choice for specialists and founders of tech companies who value safety, free education for their children, nature and work in English. Taxes are high, and the path to citizenship is long - 8 years. Write in the chat and we will choose a basis for your move and check which restrictions apply to your citizenship.