Moving to Tampere

If you are a citizen of an EU Member State, a Nordic country, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, you do not need a visa or permit but you must apply for EU registration if you plan to reside in Finland for a longer period than three months without interruption.

Step 1: Submit application with e-service via: Enterfinland for EU. You need to submit the application yourself and pay online. For spouse/dependents, a separate application must be filled. You cannot fill up application for spouse on their behalf.

Step 2: You will need to visit a Migri service point to prove your identity and to present the original versions of any attachments required for the application. You can book an appointment in Migri’s appointment system online here.

Step 3: Register with DVV. Upon arrival in Finland, make an appointment to register with DVV for a personal identity code (if not given along with your resident permit) and register your temporary or permanent address in Finland. Permanent address means the address you are living long-term here in Tampere for one year or more. Instructions on the application process can be found at Registration of a foreigner | Digital and population data services agency (dvv.fi). You can fill up the form before the appointment but please DO NOT sign the form or write the date before your appointment. You have to sign the form in front of DVV during your appointment.

Step 4: Apply for a Finnish ID card at the police station. Once your personal ID is processed and approved at DVV, it is advisable to get a Finnish ID from the police station. This is not an absolute mandatory but it is useful as this card is important for official ID verfication in stores, post office and others. Most banks also require that you have an ID card for full access banking services (without a Finnish ID card, you will only get basic banking services online). Click Apply for an identity card - Police (poliisi.fi) for application info and process.

Additional Steps: Depending on your status and reason for move, you would need to do the following:

• Get a tax card from Vero (tax office) if you are earning income in Finland.

• Register with Kela, Finnish Social Insurance institution, and find out the social benefits in Finland.

• Open a bank account. Please refer to 'Banking' for more info.

If you are coming to Finland from outside the EU for more than 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit. You need to apply for your residence permit personally. You cannot for example, apply for a residence permit on behalf of your spouse or employee. For more information on which type of permit you should apply for, you can use Migri’s application finder here.

Studying:  

You need a student resident permit for studies longer than 90 days. For postgraduate studies, you can apply for the scientific research resident permit. Please refer to the application finder link above for guideline.

Step 1: Submit application for student residence permit, either via e-application at Enterfinland.fi OR paper application via Finnish embassy or consulate. Note: Once you have been accepted by an educational institution here, please ensure you meet the requirements before applying for your student residence permit. Find out more here.

Step 2: Visit Finnish Embassy or Consulate: For online application, you need to make an appointment and visit the embassy/consulate after you have submitted your application to prove your identity, fingerprint registration, hand in your photo and documents requested. For paper application, you can make an appointment with the embassy and hand in your application form, photograph and documents. You can pay the application fees at the same time. Click Finland abroad to find embassies or consulates near you. Note: The application will only start to be processed when the application fees are paid and applicant must wait for the decision in the country where application was submitted.

Step 3: Register with DVV. Upon arrival in Finland, make an appointment to register with DVV for a personal identity code (if not given along with your resident permit) and register your temporary or permanent address in Finland. Permanent address means the address you are living long-term here in Tampere for one year or more. Instructions on the application process can be found at Registration of a foreigner | Digital and population data services agency (dvv.fi). You can fill up the form before the appointment but please DO NOT sign the form or write the date before your appointment. You have to sign the form in front of DVV during your appointment.

Step 4: Apply for a Finnish ID card at the police station. Once your personal ID is processed and approved at DVV, it is advisable to get a Finnish ID from the police station. This is not an absolute mandatory but it is useful as this card is important for official ID verfication in stores, post office and others. Most banks also require that you have an ID card for full access banking services (without a Finnish ID card, you will only get basic banking services online). Click Apply for an identity card - Police (poliisi.fi) for application info and process.

Step 5: Open a bank account: Ensure you have a Finnish ID, residence permit, student certificate and local address to open a bank account. Remember to apply for online bank codes to access Finland's e-services and online banking (full service valid only if you have a Finnish ID card).

Additional Steps: Students are allowed to work here up to a maximum of 30 hours per week. If you are working, you need to apply for a tax card at Vero. Click Studying in Finland - vero.fi for more info about studying and working in Finland.

Generally, you need a residence permit to work in Finland. In some cases, you can work for less than 90 days without a residence permit, find out here if you qualify to work without a permit for 90 days. For those who need a permit or planning to work more than 90 days, please refer to the application finder to find the most suitable type of permit.

Step 1:  Find out here the right type of residence permit to apply. This will help you determine the type of permit you need to apply based on your status. Start by selecting 'I am a citizen of some other country' 

Step 2: Visit Finnish Embassy or Consulate: For online application, you need to make an appointment and visit the embassy/consulate after you have submitted your application to prove your identity, fingerprint registration, hand in your photo and documents requested. For paper application, you can make an appointment with the embassy and hand in your application form, photograph and documents. You can pay the application fees at the same time. Click here to find embassies or consulates near you. Note: The application will only start to be processed when the application fees are paid and applicant must wait for the decision in the country where application was submitted.

Step 3: Register with DVV. Upon arrival in Finland, make an appointment to register with DVV for a personal identity code (if not given along with your resident permit) and register your temporary or permanent address in Finland. Permanent address means the address you are living long-term here in Tampere for one year or more. Instructions on the application process can be found at Registration of a foreigner | Digital and population data services agency (dvv.fi). You can fill up the form before the appointment but please DO NOT sign the form or write the date before your appointment. You have to sign the form in front of DVV during your appointment.

Step 4: Apply for a Finnish ID card at the police station. Once your personal ID is processed and approved at DVV, it is advisable to get a Finnish ID from the police station. This is not an absolute mandatory but it is useful as this card is important for official ID verfication in stores, post office and others. Most banks also require that you have an ID card for full access banking services (without a Finnish ID card, you will only get basic banking services online). Click Apply for an identity card - Police (poliisi.fi) for application info and process.

Step 5: Open a bank account: Ensure you have a Finnish ID, residence permit, employment contract and local address to open a bank account. Remember to apply for online bank codes to access Finland's e-services and online banking (full service valid only if you have a Finnish ID card).

Step 6: Apply for a tax card from Vero. Please ensure you send this card to the company’s HR department after receiving it as this will be the reference on your salary tax deduction. Information and instructions can be found Work in Finland - vero.fi.

Additional Steps: Your company may be providing you with healthcare benefits, however it is advisable to apply for a Kela card as you will need this to gain access to public health services. Click Our Services | Kela for information about Kela services.

If you are moving to Finland to join your spouse, please fill in a separate form. Your sponsor (spouse) must have a residence permit in Finland or he or she must apply for a residence permit at the same time as you and be granted a residence permit. For children under 18 years old, the permit can be applied as with spouse of sponsor. Please click here to check the requirements and which type of spouse permit to apply before Step 1.

Step 1: Submit application for residence permit, either via e-application at Enterfinland.fi OR paper application via Finnish embassy or consulate.

Step 2: Visit Finnish Embassy or Consulate: For online application, you need to make an appointment and visit the embassy/consulate after you have submitted your application to prove your identity, fingerprint registration, hand in your photo and documents requested. For paper application, you can make an appointment with the embassy and hand in your application form, photograph and documents. You can pay the application fees at the same time. Click here to find embassies or consulates near you. Note: The application will only start to be processed when the application fees are paid and applicant must wait for the decision in the country where application was submitted.

Step 3: Register with DVV. Upon arrival in Finland, make an appointment to register with DVV for a personal identity code (if not given along with your resident permit) and register your temporary or permanent address in Finland. Permanent address means the address you are living long-term here in Tampere for one year or more. Instructions on the application process can be found at Registration of a foreigner | Digital and population data services agency (dvv.fi). You can fill up the form before the appointment but please DO NOT sign the form or write the date before your appointment. You have to sign the form in front of DVV during your appointment.

Step 4: Apply for a Finnish ID card at the police station. Once your personal ID is processed and approved at DVV, it is advisable to get a Finnish ID from the police station. This is not an absolute mandatory but it is useful as this card is important for official ID verfication in stores, post office and others. Most banks also require that you have an ID card for full access banking services (without a Finnish ID card, you will only get basic banking services online). Click Apply for an identity card - Police (poliisi.fi) for application info and process.

Additional Steps:  

• Visit Kela to apply for a Kela card as you will need this to gain access to public health services. Click here for information about Kela services.

• If you are unemployed and would like to participate in the integration programme, please make an appointment to visit the Employment and Economic Development Offices (TE Offices).  You can find more info about TE here.  If you would like guidance and talk to an officer regarding unemployment and integration services, please click here.

• If you have a spouse and/or children who needs daycare or education, please refer to studying and coming with a family.

• In general, should you need more guidance, please contact us at: [email protected]

If you are planning to move here as a start-up entrepreneur, there are a few steps you need to apply before applying for a resident permit. In order to qualify for this permit, you need an approval from Business Finland and prove that you have at least €1,000 per month to support your living cost.

Your financial resources can also be considered sufficient if you have signed an employment contract with a company, and the company has sufficient funds to pay your wages or the company has been granted some form of funding to secure the payment of your wages. You can also show that you have sufficient financial resources by presenting documentation of other sources of income, such as regular rental income from your owned flat or some other regular income that you will receive during your stay in Finland.

You will have to present documentation of having sufficient financial resources for a minimum of one year so that your residence permit can be granted for a period of one year. If your financial resources are sufficient, the residence permit can be granted directly for two years.

Step 1:  Obtain a positive Eligibility Statement from Business Finland. Please refer here to find out eligibility requirements and apply for an approved statement. Start by selecting 'I am a citizen of some other country'.

Step 2: Translation legalised and proof of living cost. If your documents are not in Finnish/Swedish/English, please ensure they are translated and legalised before submission. You must also show sufficient support of at least €1 000/month for living cost. Click here for more info.

Step 3: Submit application for start-up entrepreneur online e-application via: Enterfinland.fi OR paper application via Finnish embassy or consulate.

Step 4: Visit Finnish Embassy or Consulate: For online application, you need to make an appointment and visit the embassy/consulate after you have submitted your application to prove your identity, fingerprint registration, hand in your photo and documents requested. For paper application, you can make an appointment with the embassy and hand in your application form, photograph and documents. You can pay the application fees at the same time. Click here to find embassies or consulates near you. Note: The application will only start to be processed when the application fees are paid and applicant must wait for the decision in the country where application was submitted.

Step 5: Register with DVV. Upon arrival in Finland, make an appointment to register with DVV for a personal identity code (if not given along with your resident permit) and register your temporary or permanent address in Finland. Permanent address means the address you are living long-term here in Tampere for 1 year or more.  Instructions on the application process can be found here. You can fill up the form before the appointment but please DO NOT sign the form or write the date before your appointment. You have to sign the form in front of DVV during your appointment.

Step 6: Apply for a Finnish ID card at the police station. Once your personal ID is processed and approved at DVV, it is advisable to get a Finnish ID from the police station. This is not an absolute mandatory but it is useful as this card is important for official ID verfication in stores, post office and others (instead of carrying your passport around). Most banks also require that you have an ID card for full access banking services (without a Finnish ID card, you will only get basic banking services online). Click here for application info and process.

Step 7: Establish your company in Finland. Click here for Business Finland's startup kit which provides you steps on establishing your company in Finland.

Step 8: Open a bank account for both the company and personal:

• Company: Please refer here on information and instructions to open corporate account. 

• Personal: Ensure you have a Finnish ID, residence permit, employment contract and local address to open a bank account. Remember to apply for online bank codes to access Finland's e-services and online banking (full service valid only if you have a Finnish ID card) 

Step 9: Submit a start-up notification and enter your company in the Tax Administration's registers at Vero. Remember to make prepayments and file tax returns, as well. Click here to info and steps on how to set up your business and handle tax matters. If you are earning personal income, you will also need to apply for a tax card with Vero. Information and instructions can be found here.

Additional Steps:  

• Kela: It is advisable to apply for a Kela card as you will need this to gain access to public health services. Click here for information about Kela services.

• Accounting and insurance services: Please refer to Business Finland’s page here for more info and instructions.

The address of Tampere-Pirkkala airport is Tornikaari 50, 33960 Pirkkala. Airlines flying to Tampere are AirBaltic, Finnair, SAS and Ryanair.

Taxis: Taxis are on call at the taxi stand in front of the airport in accordance with flight schedules. At the airport, there is a taxi stand in front of Terminal 1 and a free phone for calling a taxi in case there are no taxis available.

If you want to ensure a taxi is available for you or you have special requests, you can book a ride in advance from the companies below:

• Taksi Tampere
• Raumair
• Kyyti

Bus: There is a bus that runs daily between Tampere-Pirkkala Airport and Tampere city center. The bus stops and picks up passengers in front of terminals 1 and 2 at Tampere-Pirkkala Airport. For more information on planning your bus journey, please see Reittiopas Tampere.

Unsure what, where and when to take the bus or tram? You can plan your schedule via reittiopas.tampere.fi or download Reittiopas Tampere app to your phone.

Car rental: A rented car makes your journey easier. Several car rental companies are located at the airport. Some of them are open only by prior reservation, so make sure to check the opening times and other information in the car rental companies’ websites. Car rental which operates at the airport are: Europcar, Hertz and Sixt.

Tampere is accessible via train, bus and car from Helsinki-Vantaa airport. 

Train: You can take a train from Helsinki airport to the Tampere train station. The train station is located on the arrival floor, at the corridor between Terminals 1 and 2. Please note that you will need to transfer to another train at Tikkurila train station.

VR train is the national railway operator in Finland. Find out the timetable and price on how to get to Tampere from Helsinki airport via train here.

Bus: You can take a bus to Tampere from bay 14, outside Terminal 2. The bus will arrive at Tampere’s main bus station. You can purchase your ticket online or in the bus. Tampere bus terminal is located at the city centre. Find out the timetable and price on how to get to Tampere from Helsinki airport via bus here.

Car rental: There are six car-rental companies at Helsinki Airport: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt. Their service desks can be found in the Terminal 2 arrival hall. You can pick up the rental cars easily from the parking hall P3. You can pre-book a rental car by calling to the car-rental dealership or from their websites. You can also hire a car when at the airport.