Starting Life in Finland: A Must-Read Guide for Students and Immigrants
Moving to Finland as a student, dependent, or with family can be both exciting and overwhelming. This guide provides essential information on how to settle in smoothly and make the most of your new life in Finland.
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1. Opening a Bank Account
To manage daily expenses, you need a local bank account. The main banks in Finland include:
- Nordea: www.nordea.fi
- OP Bank: www.op.fi
- Danske Bank: www.danskebank.fi
- Spanki: www.spankki.fi
To open an account, you typically need:
- Passport or residence permit
- Finnish personal identity code
- Proof of address
- Study or employment certificate (if applicable)
Tip: Online banking is widely used, and having a Finnish bank account is crucial for receiving salaries, student grants, and benefits.
2. Public Transportation
Finland has an excellent public transportation system. In Helsinki, HSL manages buses, trams, metro, and trains. For other regions, check local transport authorities.
- HSL (Helsinki Region Transport): www.hsl.fi
- VR (Trains): www.vr.fi
Tip: Students get discounts on public transport with a valid student card.
3. Migration & Residence Permit (Migri)
The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) is responsible for handling residence permits, extensions, and family reunification. Visit www.migri.fi for:
- Residence permit application
- Extensions for students and dependents
- Registration of EU citizens
Tip: Always apply for residence permit extensions well in advance to avoid delays.
4. Kela Benefits
Kela is Finland’s social security institution, offering benefits such as:
- Student financial aid (Not for A/B status)
- Child benefits for families
- Unemployment support
- Health insurance coverage
Check www.kela.fi to see what benefits apply to you.
5. TE Office: Registering for Work & Language Courses
Check our post about 12 popular job search portals and apply for the jobs.
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If you are looking for a job or need integration services, register at the TE Office (Employment Services).
- Language training for dependents is available under integration programs.
- Jobseekers can get assistance with CVs and job applications.
Visit www.te-palvelut.fi for more information.
6. Supermarkets & Second-Hand Stores
Groceries can be purchased at supermarkets like:
- K-Citymarket: www.k-ruoka.fi
- Prisma: www.s-kanava.fi
- Lidl: www.lidl.fi
- S-Market: www.s-kanava.fi
For budget-friendly shopping, check second-hand stores such as:
- Uff: www.uff.fi
- Fida: www.fida.fi
- Kontti: www.punainenristi.fi/kontti
- Tori.fi (Online marketplace): www.tori.fi
- Facebook Marketplace (Available via Facebook)
7. Free Parks & Outdoor Activities
Finland has many beautiful and free-to-access parks. Some popular ones include:
- Central Park (Helsinki) – Great for jogging and biking. www.hel.fi
- Nuuksio National Park – Perfect for hiking and camping. www.nationalparks.fi/nuuksio
- Seurasaari Open-Air Museum – A historical island park. www.kansallismuseo.fi/seurasaari
8. Joining Schools & Kindergartens
For children, schooling is free and of high quality.
- Daycare (Varhaiskasvatus): Register through local municipal services.
- Primary and Secondary Schools: Apply at the nearest school based on residence.
More information: www.infofinland.fi
Final Tips for a Smooth Start
- Register at DVV (Digital and Population Data Services Agency) to get your Finnish ID: www.dvv.fi
- Get a SIM card (DNA, Elisa, Telia) for communication:
- DNA: www.dna.fi
- Elisa: www.elisa.fi
- Telia: www.telia.fi
- Learn some Finnish from our website(Learn Finnish free ) - to ease daily interactions (courses available at Helsinki Adult Education Center): www.helao.fi
By following this guide, your transition to Finland will be much easier. Welcome to Finland!
Visit www.sawfinland.com. Please do write in comments , if you want more information we try to answer your queries.