Moving to Finland Checklist: Permits, DVV Registration, Tax Card, and Banking
A step-by-step administrative checklist for newly arrived workers, students, and families relocating to Finland.
Labour Europe is an independent public information website. It is not affiliated with the European Union, national migration directorates, or government ministries. This guide synthesizes primary legislation for general orientation. For formal legal representation or personalized application assessment, consult accredited immigration legal counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.
Direct Short Answer
Settling in Finland requires four core bureaucratic steps upon arrival: biometrics/permit pickup at Migri, population registration and Finnish personal identity code (henkilötunnus) at DVV, ordering a tax card from Vero, and opening a bank account with strong electronic identification (e-ID).
Key Conditions & Legal Constraints
- •EU/EEA citizens: Must register their right of residence at Migri within 3 months of arrival.
- •Non-EU citizens: Must hold a granted residence permit before arrival and collect the residence permit card.
- •All arrivals intending to stay over 1 year must register a permanent municipality of residence (kotikunta) with DVV.
- •Opening a bank account requires a passport and DVV registration proof; strong electronic identification (Pankkitunnukset) requires strong identity verification.
Practical Procedural Steps
Visit Migri Service Point for Identity Verification
If you did not submit biometrics at a Finnish embassy abroad, book an appointment at Migri immediately upon arrival.
Register with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV)
Submit an online notification of moving and visit DVV to obtain your municipality of residence (kotikunta) and Finnish personal identity code.
Obtain your Finnish Tax Card from Vero
Apply online or at a Vero office with your employment contract and personal identity code to obtain your progressive tax withholding rate.
Open a Finnish Bank Account and get e-ID (Pankkitunnukset)
Visit a bank (OP, Nordea, Danske Bank, S-Pankki) with your passport, residence card, DVV registration extract, and employment contract. Electronic ID is necessary to log into Finnish public digital portals.
Register with Kela for Social Security Coverage
Apply for social security coverage on the OmaKela portal. Workers earning above the monthly minimum threshold (approx. €800/month) qualify for Kela benefits regardless of contract duration.