Registration, personal identity code and municipality of residence

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.

Do I need to visit the DVV’s service desk at International House Helsinki?

A personal visit is needed when:

• You do not have a Finnish personal identity code and you need one. Read more
• You are moving permanently to Finland from another Nordic Country. Read more
• You want to register a municipality of residence. Please note that 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, you do not need to visit DVV. Read more

How do I book an appointment and what do I need to bring with me?

DVV serves customers at International House Helsinki mainly by appointment. You can book the appointment and see the full list of what you need to bring with you to the appointment on DVV’s website.

• If you need a Finnish personal identity code or a municipality of residence, you need to bring your identification document, such as your passport, and other documents that depend on your situation. Fill in a correct form in advance. See DVV’s website for detailed instructions on how to apply for a Finnish identity code and municipality of residence
• 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 translated. See DVV’s website for detailed instructions on how to register changes for example in family relations

International students

Before scheduling a personal appointment for DVV, please confirm with your educational institution or tutor if they have arranged for registration to be completed together with other students.

See DVV website for detailed instructions on registration of international students

Fast track service for specialists and growth entrepreneurs

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.

Read more on 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)