Have you recently moved to Finland from abroad? You’ll need to complete a few registrations and formalities with different public authorities to set up your everyday life in Finland.
International House Helsinki (IHH) is the official point of entry for people moving to the Helsinki region. At IHH you can handle formalities with different authorities in one place, and most newcomers in the Helsinki region complete their registrations at IHH.
At IHH, visit the public authorities you need to handle the specific registrations and formalities for your situation.
Different authorities at IHH have their own services, and some require appointments.
Use this page to understand which services are relevant for you, book the appointments you need, and plan your visit to IHH.
Not all services and authorities may be relevant for you!
To start, click on EU or Non EU depending on your citizenship.
Citizens of the European Union (EU), Liechtenstein or Switzerland who move to Finland must register their right of residence with the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri).
You can do this by booking an appointment with Migri’s service desk at IHH. Please note that Migri’s service desk at IHH can only handle EU registrations.
All newcomers moving to Finland need to register with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).
At DVV, you can also apply for a personal identity code and a municipality of residence, which you will need for everyday life in Finland.
You can register and submit applications by visiting DVV’s service desk at IHH.
You need a tax card in Finland if you work, run a business, or receive taxable benefits. The Finnish Tax Administration (Vero) is the agency that issues tax cards and manages taxation in Finland.
You can apply for a tax card and get guidance on taxes by visiting Vero’s service desk at IHH.
The Social Insurance Institution (Kela) provides basic social security for those who live and work in Finland. Kela considers individual circumstances and determines if you are entitled to social security coverage or benefits in Finland.
You can visit Kela’s service desk at IHH to submit forms and applications, and for advice on social security and benefits.
The City of Helsinki’s Employment Services offers general information and guidance about employment. If you live in Finland, you can also register as a jobseeker at their service desk at IHH.
Please note that if you are not a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you must have a valid residence permit to register as a jobseeker.
The Finnish Centre for Pensions (ETK) provides information about earnings-related pensions and social security for international newcomers.
ETK can help show which country’s social security you belong to, how remote work might affect your social security, or explain earnings-related pensions and pension insurances deducted from your salary.
Please note that ETK serves customers by phone or online.
Most registrations and formalities are handled at service desks in the IHH service point. Different service desks have different opening hours, and some can only be visited by appointment.
Before visiting the IHH service point, it is important you plan your visit in advance and book appointments when needed.
Different service desks at IHH have their own opening hours, and some require appointments to visit.
Check individual service pages for more details and exceptional service hours. See all Registrations and formalities at IHH.
Are you unclear about what you need to do?
You can get help handling your registrations and formalities through different ways at IHH.
IHH has materials to help newcomers understand the steps you need to take before and after your arrival in the Helsinki region.
The newcomer’s checklist guides you step by step through the necessary registrations and formalities you need to handle when relocating to Finland.
Newcomer's checklistFor helpful information about registrations and formalities, click Chat on the bottom right of this website and ask any questions you may have there.
Please note that using the IHH chat requires accepting the IHH website’s cookies. In case the Chat button does not appear for you, accept cookies from the cookie banner.
Helsinki-info’s general information and guidance service can help you with registrations and formalities.
At the IHH service point, Helsinki-info can help you fill out forms and understand the procedures of different public authorities. Helsinki-info’s specialists provide services in many languages. They also use a quick interpreting service if needed.
General information and guidanceIHH has materials to help you understand the steps you need to take before and after your arrival in the Helsinki region. These explain registrations and formalities for newcomers, as well as other topics like education options for families.
You can see a selection of resources below, or browse through all of our guides and resources.