The blog
Finland, from the inside.
Paperwork, daily life, neighbourhoods, budget, culture: everything we wish we had known before unpacking.
Schools in Finland for expat children: daycare, pre-primary and international schools
Schools in Finland for expat children: the daycare right, free pre-primary, basic education at seven, preparatory classes, Wilma and international schools.
6 min readFamily and workRetiring in Finland: the S1, tax on your foreign pension and the Finnish state pension
Retiring in Finland from the EU or UK: the S1 for healthcare, how a foreign pension is taxed, Finnish national and guarantee pensions, residence rules.
6 min readPaperworkResidence in Finland for EU citizens: Migri, the three-month rule and the DVV
Residence in Finland for EU citizens: when to register your right of residence with Migri (€53), what to prove, and how the DVV adds your address.
6 min readWhere to liveRenting in Finland: leases, the deposit, notice and Kela housing allowance
Renting in Finland as a newcomer: fixed-term or open-ended leases, the deposit, notice periods, the October 2026 rule changes and Kela housing allowance.
6 min readPaperworkOpening a bank account in Finland: your right to a basic account and online codes
Bank account in Finland for newcomers: your right to a basic payment account, which documents banks accept, and why online banking codes are the hard part.
6 min readPaperworkMoving to Finland: the step-by-step guide to your first weeks
Moving to Finland from the EU or UK: the order that works (Migri, DVV, tax card, bank, Kela), what each office does and the traps that cost weeks.
6 min readPaperworkMoving to Finland from the UK after Brexit: what you need now
Moving to Finland from the UK after Brexit: residence permit rules, what the Withdrawal Agreement protects, Kela cover, driving licences and property.
6 min readWhere to liveMoving to Åland: Swedish-speaking, autonomous and outside the EU tax area
Moving to Åland from the EU or UK: autonomy, Swedish as the only official language, registration, business and property permits, VAT and customs.
6 min readDaily lifeLiving in Finland: sauna, everyman's rights, language and the unwritten rules
Living in Finland as a newcomer: Finnish and Swedish, punctuality, sauna etiquette, everyman's rights, alcohol, holidays, recycling and the 112 number.
6 min readPaperworkKela in Finland: social security, the Kela card and how to register
Kela in Finland explained: who is covered, how to notify your move in OmaKela, what the Kela card does and which benefits newcomers can claim and when.
5 min readBudgetIncome tax in Finland for new residents: brackets, tax card and the key employee regime
Income tax in Finland for new residents: tax residence, 2026 state brackets, municipal and church tax, the tax card and the 25% key employee regime.
7 min readHealthHealthcare in Finland for expats: wellbeing counties, client fees and 116 117
Healthcare in Finland for expats: how your municipality of residence opens public care, visit costs, the annual fee ceiling, 116 117 and private care.
6 min readPaperworkFinnish personal identity code: how to get a henkilötunnus and a tax card
Finnish personal identity code explained: how the DVV issues a henkilötunnus, how long it takes, and how to get your tax card from Vero once you have it.
6 min readPaperworkDriving in Finland: your licence, car tax and winter tyres
Driving in Finland as a newcomer: when your EU, UK or Swiss licence stops being valid, how to import a car, the car tax and the winter tyre rules.
6 min readPaperworkDigital ID in Finland: bank codes, mobile certificate and the new wallet law
Digital ID in Finland for newcomers: bank codes, mobile certificate, police ID card, Finnish Authenticator, and what the 2026 digital identity law changes.
6 min readBudgetCost of living in Finland: tax, childcare, health fees and what is set by rule
Cost of living in Finland in 2026: what rules fix (childcare cap, health fee ceiling, VAT, tax) and what varies by city, with official sources for rents.
6 min readWhere to liveBuying property in Finland as a foreigner: transfer tax and the 95% loan cap
Buying property in Finland as a foreigner: shares vs real estate, 1.5% and 3% transfer tax, the 95% loan cap since July 2026 and Åland limits.
6 min readWhere to liveBest places to live in Finland: Helsinki, Espoo, Tampere, Turku and Oulu
Best places to live in Finland for expats: Helsinki, Espoo, Tampere, Turku and Oulu compared on work, language, schools and what each municipality fixes.
6 min readYour move, one step at a time.
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