Newcomers moving to Finland need to register their data into the Finnish Population Information system at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV). While registering 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 do all of this by visiting DVV’s service desk at International House Helsinki (IHH).
At International House Helsinki (IHH), the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) issues personal identity codes and registers personal data into the Finnish Population Information System.
At the DVV’s service desk at IHH you can apply for a Finnish personal identity code (sometimes also called as identity number, ID number or social security number). You need a personal identity code to take care of many things related to everyday life, such as to open a bank account or to obtain a telephone subscription. Your employer also needs it to fulfill their responsibilities as an employer.
DVV also decides whether a Finnish municipality of residence (kotikunta) can be entered for you. If you have a municipality of residence in Finland, in most cases you are entitled to use the services provided by the municipality, such as public health care and daycare. A municipality of residence is also needed for obtaining a Finnish identity card and a driving license.
Newcomers can apply for a personal identity code and register or update their personal information with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).
You can do this by booking an appointment with DVV’s service desk at International House Helsinki (IHH).
A personal visit is needed when:
You do not have a Finnish personal identity code and you need oneopens in new tab
You are moving permanently to Finland from another Nordic Countryopens in new tab
You want to register a municipality of residence
You don’t have to visit DVV if you already have a Finnish personal identity code and have received a decision on Finnish Immigration Service’s (Migri) EU registration less than 12 months ago.
To visit DVV’s service desk at IHH, you will need to:
DVV serves customers at IHH mainly by appointment.
Note for international students: Please confirm with your educational institution or tutor if they have arranged for registration to be completed together with other students before booking a personal appointment for DVV.
To apply for a Finnish personal identity code or a municipality of residence at IHH, see DVV’s website for detailed instructions.
Book an appointment through DVV’s website. Once you have an appointment, you will need to bring your identification document, such as your passport, and other documents that depend on your situation. You will also need to fill in a correct form in advance.
If you or your family member have been granted a residence permit through the Finnish Immigration Service’s (Migri) fast track service, you can also register your personal data with the DVV’s fast track service for specialists and growth entrepreneurs.
You can book an appointment to DVV’s fast track if you or a family member have been granted a fast track residence permit from Migri as a specialist, growth entrepreneur, EU Blue Card senior specialist, specialist based on internal company transfer, top- or middle-level manager, or as a family member of any of the above.
If you already have a Finnish personal identity code and you would like to notify DVV about a life event (for example a marriage) that happened abroad, you need to bring official certificates to your appointment.
Fill in a correct form in advance and print it. Remember to check if the certificates must be legalised and/or translatedopens in new tab.
See DVV’s website for detailed instructions on how to register changes for example in family relations.opens in new tab
Refer to the information above to know when you need to book an appointment for DVV.
Use the provided links to book the appointment you need on DVV’s website.
If you have a complicated situation or need help with your individual relocation matters, you can also book an appointment with IHH’s Relocation Guidance service.
It can guide you through the necessary steps for relocating to the Helsinki capital region and explain the correct order in which to complete them.
At International House Helsinki, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) mainly serves customers by appointment.
For further guidance, please contact DVV’s customer service.
You can contact IHH’s Relocation Guidance service by email if you cannot find a suitable appointment.
Please do not share any personal, confidential or sensitive information.
A personal identity code consists of 11 characters and is used to identify persons in the registers and information systems of different public authorities as well as private sector actors.
For instance, insurance companies and healthcare service providers may need your personal identity code to ensure that information is registered for the correct person. Several people may have the exact same name but there are no two persons with exactly the same personal identity code.
A municipality of residence in Finland can be assigned by DVV on certain grounds. If you plan to live in Finland for at least a year, it is advisable to report the move as permanent. Many public services, such as health care and children’s daycare and education are the responsibility of municipalities.
If you have a permanent address and home municipality in Finland, this municipality is responsible for organizing certain services for you just like for all its residents. A municipality of residence is essential also if you’d like to apply for a Finnish ID card or enjoy discounted fees for public transport, or to be granted certain social benefits.
First, if you have to apply for residence permits, and your family doesn’t come very much later, you should consider applying simultaneously for the whole family.
Once your family has arrived in Finland, they must personally visit IHH to register. Registration of children is handled more smoothly if both guardians are present. Information about family ties can be registered either on your arrival or when your family has arrived. Please remember to bring your marriage certificate as well as children’s birth certificates, duly translated and legalized.
If you have been granted a residence permit through the Finnish Immigration Service’s (Migri) fast track service, you can also book an appointment with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) to register your personal data by using DVV’s fast track service for specialists and growth entrepreneurs.
You are eligible for DVV’s Fast Track service if you have been granted a Fast Track residence permit from Migri as:
For more information, please read the following pages:
DVV’s Fast Track service (for registering personal data to receive a personal identity code)
Migri’s Fast Track service (for residence permit applications)
You can request a personal identity code from:
Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV)opens in new tab
Personal identity codesopens in new tab
Finnish Population Information Systemopens in new tab
Municipality of residenceopens in new tab
Registration of personal dataopens in new tab
Moving to Finland or moving abroad from Finlandopens in new tab