What kind of permit is needed?
This application guide will help you find the right information.
Moving to Finland checklist
When you move to Finland, you have to take care of many practical matters. The Moving to Finland checklist will help you with the most important issues surrounding the move. InfoFinland’s Moving to Finland checklist helps you find out and manage everything, one thing at a time. The Moving to Finland checklist is available in more than ten languages.
Quick guide for applying for a residence permit
Citizens from Nordic countries
If you are a citizen of a Nordic country other than Finland, no separate residence permit is needed in Finland. You have the right to work, run businesses and study in Finland.
EU citizens
If you are a citizen of an EU country, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, you do not need a residence permit in Finland.
If you stay in Finland for over 3 months
- Apply for registration of the right of residence of EU citizens with the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri).
If you stay in Finland for over a year
- also register at your nearest service point for the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.
Non-EU citizens
If you work, run a business or study, you need a residence permit.
The kind of residence permit you need depends e.g. on the industry you will be working in.
Fast track
Using the fast track service, you can be granted a residence permit within two weeks.
You can apply for a residence permit through the fast track and get a decision within two weeks, if you are going to come to Finland to work.