Nordic Citizen Checklist

If you are staying in Finland for more than 6 months, you must register your personal data in the Population Information System of the Finnish National Register and Population Office. Registration is done on the spot. From the Kotka-Hamina region, the nearest Digi and Population Data Services Agency points are in Kouvola and Lappeenranta. Register as soon as possible, but no later than one month after you move to Finland. When you register, you will also be issued a Finnish personal identity code.

If you are staying in Finland for less than 6 months, you do not need to report it to the authorities.

Read more about registering personal data (Dvv.fi)

You need a Finnish tax card if you are employed, self-employed or otherwise receive a salary. If you are not working, you may not need a tax card. You can get a tax card from a tax office. When you live permanently in Finland, the Tax Administration will send you a new tax card every year. You need a personal identity number to get a tax card. Read more about tax cards and how to apply for one (Vero.fi)

You need a bank account to manage your finances, such as your salary and to pay bills. You’ll also need Finnish online banking IDs for electronic authentication, which is used by most online services in Finland.

Whenever you move from one address to another in Finland, you must submit a moving notification. You can use the e-service or the form you can get from the post office or the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. The notification must be submitted within one week of the move.

The police may issue an identity card to a foreign national who is permanently resident in Finland. A foreigner’s identity card can be issued for a maximum period of five years. The criteria for issuing the card are that the person is registered in the population information system and has a valid residence permit or residence card, or that his or her right of residence has been registered. See instructions on how to apply for an identity card (Poliisi.fi)

In Finland, the purpose of social security is to provide people with an adequate income in different life situations. For example, you may need financial support if you fall ill or have a child. You may be entitled to support if you work or live permanently in Finland. In Finland, social security is the responsibility of Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kansaneläkelaitos). When you move to Finland, you should apply for a Kela card. Apply for a Kela card from the OmaKela service.

If you are unemployed when you arrive in Finland, you should register as a jobseeker. When you register as a jobseeker, you can get unemployment benefits, for example. If you need help with registering as a jobseeker or with employment in general, you can contact the Etelä-Kymenlaakso employment services. Register as a jobseeker here.

You can drive in Finland with a driving licence issued in an EU or EEA country as long as it is valid. When the card expires, it must be replaced. To obtain a Finnish driving licence, you must be a permanent resident of Finland. Read about how to exchange your driving licence on the Traficom website.

The Immigrant Guidance and Counselling Service provides free information on important everyday matters, such as how to function in Finnish society and the services available in your city. The service is not affected by the reason for your arrival or how long you have lived in Finland. The service can help you with these things, for example:

• social security and benefits (Kela)
• training opportunities
• housing
• leisure

Check out the guidance and counselling service for immigrants (Kotka.fi).