Moving to Finland: permit, identity code and municipality of residence

Confirm immigration and work rights before starting

Nationals outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland usually need the Migri residence permit matching work, study, family or another purpose. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens staying longer term use the registration route, while Nordic citizens have a separate notification route. Read the decision for work restrictions.

A permit from another EU country does not normally authorise Finnish work. Ensure the contract states employer, duties, dates and Finnish workplace; Vero warns that a preliminary offer without sufficient work detail may not support an identity-code request through the tax office.

• Finnish Immigration Service: permits and EU registration
• Vero: personal identity codes for workers arriving in Finland

Get the identity code from the authority serving your case

A Finnish personal identity code may be issued through Migri, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency or, for tax-related worker cases, Vero. Do not apply repeatedly through several bodies. Check first whether the permit decision already created one.

For a Vero appointment, prepare passport, applicable permit or visa, employment or assignment contract and the registration and tax forms for the duration. Children under 15 require the population authority rather than the worker tax-office route.

• Vero: personal identity codes for workers arriving in Finland
• Suomi.fi: what to do soon after arriving for work

Apply separately for a municipality of residence

The identity code alone does not establish a Finnish municipality of residence. DVV assesses domicile based on the move and status; InfoFinland explains that a municipality of residence connects a permanent resident to local public services such as municipal healthcare.

Submit the move notification and DVV evidence appropriate to permanent or temporary residence. Keep civil-status documents correctly legalised and translated where required, and register spouse and children rather than assuming their records follow the principal applicant.

• InfoFinland: moving to Finland checklist
• Suomi.fi: what to do soon after arriving for work

Build tax and benefit eligibility as separate files

Obtain the correct tax card or tax-at-source card for expected income and duration and give it to the employer. Construction and shipyard workers also need the separate tax-number register step. Keep foreign income, arrival and travel records for the first return.

Apply to Kela or the relevant authority for coverage based on actual work and residence facts; a Kela card is not automatic from the identity code. For banking, expect identity, address, tax residence and source-of-funds checks before online credentials are issued.

• Vero: personal identity codes for workers arriving in Finland
• InfoFinland: moving to Finland checklist

Know which Finnish record answers which question

Avoid treating the identity code as a universal approval.

• Finnish Immigration Service: permits and EU registration
• Vero: personal identity codes for workers arriving in Finland
• InfoFinland: moving to Finland checklist

Finish the home and mobility layer

Inspect the lease, deposit, notice, condition report, electricity, home insurance and sauna or parking rules. File the correct permanent or temporary move notification and update Posti as instructed.

Traficom’s foreign-licence rules depend on the issuing state and permanent residence. Check validity and exchange timing early. For children, contact the municipality for early education or school and preserve vaccination and education records for the receiving service.

• Traficom: driving in Finland with a foreign driving licence
• InfoFinland: moving to Finland checklist