Action plan to get started in Finland

1. Accommodation

Finland has a cold climate and to live in tents is not a comfortable option. Therefore, it is good to have an accommodation. Initially you live in rented or owned flats in Finland. There are many portals on the Internet where you can search for a flat to rent or housing for sale. If you are a student you should consult your educational establishment. There are separate housing for students. These are often cheaper than those on the open market but hard to get hold of. If you are not successful finding a student flat you can always try looking in the open market. Also check the notice board at your University or College if someone has a room available in a flat share.

Below are some portals to help you get started:

www.oikotie.fi
www.vuokraovi.com
www.huoneistokeskus.fi
www.habita.fi
www.vvo.fi
www.sato.fi

Some advice about renting

In Finland a deposition of 2-3 months rent is demanded when renting a flat. The deposit will be returned to you when you move out, as long as you have not damaged the flat in any way. If your landlord is a private person you can open an account at your bank where you keep the deposit. Remember to write an official letting form. Written letting templates can be bought at, for example The Academic Bookstore or Suomalainen Kirjakauppa. After signing the letting form you shall contact the janitor of the house or the general manager and let them know that you have moved in. At the same time you can arrange to have your name on the door and in the entrance. The time of notice for the letting agreement (if no date has been written) is 3 months for the landlord and 1 month for the tenant. After one year the time of notice is 6 months for the landlord and 1 month for the tenant.

2. The Post / Mail service

In order to get mail you must notify the post office of your address. If you move from abroad to Finland you must register this with a form available at your local post office. If you have a Finnish bank account you need to do a registration of your new address on the Internet. The post office will automatically notify the magistrate where you live. You should do a temporary registration of your address if you are only here temporarily or during the period of which you have residence permit.
Information about change of address here.

3. The Magistrate – the population register

Nordic citizens do not need to register at the magistrate until after six months of residence. If you want an ordinary Finnish tax card you need to register as soon as possible in order to get a Finnish identity number. The employer needs a tax card to be able to pay your salary. If you do not register you can use a temporary taxation card. See taxation of foreigners below.
Member of the EU may reside in Finland for three months without having to register at the magistrate. If the residence goes on for longer than three months you should apply for a residence permit from the police.

The remaining must register when they have a valid residence permit.

Each borough has its own magistrate and you register where you live. You need your passport and residence permit in order to register. After that you receive your personal denotation registration number will be registered as a resident in Finland. Search for your local magistrate here.

Remember that this might have an effect on your taxation. Questions regarding taxation are to be directed to the tax office (www.vero.fi)

4. The peoples pension FPA / KELA

Persons living in Finland permanently have the right to a FPA-card. This you can get from your local FPA-office. See here: www.kela.fi, the FPA-card certifies that you are included in the social welfare system in Finland.

5. Bank

There are many different banks in Finland. To open a bank account you need your passport or another type of official proof of identity. Salary is normally paid out to a bank account in Finland.

6. Taxation of foreigners

Se rules for taxation of foreigners here.

7. Tax office

The tax office gives a tax card. Each employee needs a tax card to work in Finland. To obtain a tax card you need your personal identity number. You can also be given a temporary identity number from the magistrate. In case you only work temporarily in Finland (maximum 6 months) and your employer is Finnish you can apply for a temporary taxation card.

8. Telephone

You can get a subscription from a phone company. There are many different types of contracts and it is beneficial to compare prices. If you want a pre-paid card you can go to any R-kioski and buy a package.

9. Public transport

The travel card for public transport in the capital region is more expensive for people who are not residing in the region. In case you do not have an identity number yet you can be given a certificate from the magistrate that you are residing here temporarily. More information about public transport in the capital region can be found here.
More practical information and useful data bank for all sorts of questions regarding Finland can be found through: www.Infopankki.fi