Living in Finland

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens about moving to or living in Finland. Read about how our embassy in Helsinki can help.

This information is provided as a guide only. You should obtainget definitive information from the Finnish authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)(FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.

To stay up to date:

• sign up for email alerts
• follow the British Embassy in FinlandHelsinki on Facebook and Twitter

If you were living in Finland before 1 January 2021

Some parts of this guide only apply if you werehave been living in Finland since before 1 January 2021. TheseYou areshould indicatedread withthese sub-headings.in addition to the rest of the guidance in each section.

You should also read our Living in Europe page for detailed guidance about citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Coronavirus

YouFollow should follow the advice of the Finnish Governmentgovernment and your local authority. You can also read ourthe Finland travel advice.

For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in Finland, seeread our coronavirus travel advice.

Visas and residency

You must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

Check the entry requirements for Finland.

Read the Finnish Immigration Service guidance on residence permits.

If your residence permit application is refused, you will be notified about the appeal process along with your application decision. This will include the Administrative Court you must appeal to, the deadline, what to provide and how to submit your appeal. You can remain in Finland while you wait for the Administrative Court’s appeal decision.

Read the Finnish government appeals advice.

If you need help with your appeal, you can contact the immigration advice service provided by your local city services. The service is free and provides personal advice on residence permits. The Refugee Advice Centre also provides legal aid and advice to foreigners.

Visas and residency if you were living in Finland before 1 January 2021

If you applied for your new residence permit (‘Brexit permit’) by 30 September 2021, your rights are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement pending a decision on your application. You should continue the process to get your Brexit permit if you do not have this yet.

Your Brexit permit is valid for 5 years. You must renew your Brexit permit before the expiry date.

Read the Finnish Immigration Service guidance on Brexit permit applications.

If you have not had a response to your Brexit permit application, use your application number to check the status of your application online.

Appeal process

If your application is refused, you will be notified about the appeal process. The appeal instructions will tell you which Administrative court you must appeal to, the deadline for making your appeal, any documents you must send and how to submit your appeal. Read the Finnish government advice on how to appeal a residency decision.

There is usually a fee charged for using the Administrative courts.

Read information on what matters are dealt with by the Administrative Court, and for advice about making an appeal and the availability of legal aid.

If your appeal is rejected you may be able to apply for residence as a third country national. A third country national is someone who does not have EU, EEA or Swiss nationality.

You are allowed to stay in Finland for the appeal decision. If your appeal is refused, you can leave voluntarily. You are usually given 30 days to leave and can apply for an assisted voluntary return. If you do not leave voluntarily, the police or Border Guard will remove you.

Late applications

The deadline for applying for a Brexit permit was 30 September 2021. You can still apply if you have reasonable grounds for missing it. You should apply as soon as possible.

To apply online, read the Finnish Immigration Service guidance. Use the additional information section to explain why your application is late. The Finnish Immigration Service will review each late applicationsapplication on aan case-by-caseindividual basis.

Family members

Your close family members continue to be able to join you and settle in Finland at any point in the future. Find out who this applies to in the Living in Europe guidance.

Apply at a Finnish embassy or an approved application centre. See the Finnish government’s guidance on how to apply for residence as a family member. Nationals of certain non-EUnon-EU countries may need a visa before travel. The Finnish authorities should issue family reunion visas free of charge.

You should also read the Finnish government’s guidance for further information about residence permits.

Moving

Passports toand Finland

travel

CheckCoronavirus thetravel entry requirements for Finlandrestrictions inmay ouraffect travel adviceto and readfrom the Finnish Immigration Service guidance on residence permits.Finland.

Passports and travel

You shouldcan carryapply yourfor residenceor permit,renew as well as your validBritish passport whenfrom you travel. If you have applied but not yet received your card, carry your certificate of application.Finland.

IfCheck youthe haveFinland nottravel yetadvice applied for apassport residencevalidity permit, you should carry evidence that you are resident in Finland. This could include a tenancy agreement or a utility bill in your name, dating from 2020.requirements.

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Passports

Check the Finland travelusing adviceyour forEU passport validity requirements. You can apply for or renewEFTA your British passport from Finland.passport.

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Entry requirements

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To stay longer than 90 days in any 180-day period,period. toYou workare orresponsible study, or for businesscounting travel,how long you muststay meetunder the entrySchengen requirements set out by the country you are travelling to. This could mean applying for a visa orwaiver, workand permit.

If you staymust incomply Finland with aits residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.conditions.

Different rules will apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen area.area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

Travel

If toyou thewere UKliving andin IrelandFinland hasbefore not1 changed.

January 2021

Healthcare

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Stateyou healthcare: S1

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• EU guidance on working in Finlandan EU country

Working in Finland

If you were legallyliving resident in Finland before 1 January 2021,2021

You you have the right to work,work providingunder youthe remainWithdrawal legallyAgreement if resident.

If you arehave planning to move to Finland to work, you may need a visa.

ReadBrexit thepermit Department for International Trade’s guidance on:

• working or providinghave servicesapplied infor Finland

Some jobs may require a UK criminal records check (known as a DBS check).one.

Frontier workers

If you live in Finland and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country before 1 January 2021, read our our guidance for frontier workers. .

Professional qualifications

You may need to get your professional qualification recognised if you want to work in a profession that is regulated in Finland.

Read guidance on:

• recognition of professional qualifications
• how to get your qualification recognised in Finland

If you were living in Finland before 1 January 2021

If the relevant regulator in Finland officially recognised your professional qualification before 1 January 2021, or you started the recognition process by this date, make sure you understand the terms of your recognition decision. SeekYou should get advice from the regulatorrelevant if needed.regulator.

Studying in Finland

If you wereplan legallyto residentstudy in Finland beforefor 1more Januarythan 2021,90 days, you aremust eligibleget fora theresidence same tuition fees as Finnish citizens.permit.

YouContact maythe notrelevant behigher entitlededucation toprovider maintenance grants or loans in Finland unlessto youcheck havewhat permanentfees residencyyou ormay arehave ato worker in Finland.pay.

You must apply for a residence permit in Finland.

Read our guidance on:

• continuing your studies in the EU
• studying in the European Union
• healthcare for students in Finland

Moving to Finland to study

If you arewere planningliving to study in Finland,Finland make sure you meet all visa requirements before you1 travel.

January 2021

ContactThe studying the relevant higher education provider in Finlandthe toEuropean checkUnion whatguidance includes feesinformation if you maywere havealready toliving pay.

Forin moreFinland informationbefore read studying1 inJanuary the European Union.2021.

Money, tax and bankingTax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Finland toso ensurethat you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.

ExistingYou doubleshould taxationget arrangementsprofessional foradvice UKon nationalspaying livingtax in FinlandFinland. haveFind notan English-speaking changed.lawyer in Finland.

Read the guidance on:

• tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
• tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• tax if you get a pension and live abroad
• paying income tax in Finland
• EU factsheet on buying goods online from UK websites

National insurance and social security contributions

YouNational shouldInsurance-type getcontributions(NIC) professionalare advicecalled on‘social payingsecurity taxcontributions’ (SSC) in Finland.

National Insurance

Find out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Finland.

Banking

WhetherYou UKcan banksrequest canproof providefrom servicesHMRC toof customersthe livingtime you’ve worked in the EEAUK isand ayour matterUK ofNational localInsurance lawrecord.

Read andguidance regulation.on:

• national Yourinsurance bankfor orworkers financefrom providerthe shouldUK contactworking youin ifthe theyEEA needor toSwitzerland
• social makesecurity anycontributions changesfor workers coming to yourthe productUK orfrom the wayEEA theyor provideSwitzerland

Benefits

UK it.benefits

Read Ifguidance youon haveentitlement anyto concernsUK aboutbenefits whetherand pensions while you mightare beliving affected,in contactFinland.

Check yourwhich providerUK orbenefits seekyou independentcan financialclaim advice.while abroad and how to claim them.

ReadMany theincome-related Moneybenefits andsuch as Pension ServiceCredit guidanceand onHousing banking,Benefit insurancecannot andbe financialpaid servicesto changesyou if you’re abroad for more informationthan on4 cross-border banking.weeks.

Pensions

Finnish benefits

ReadYou ourmay guidancebe oneligible entitlement to UKclaim benefitssome andFinnish pensionssocial security benefits.

Read whileguidance youfrom areKela livingabout inhow Finland.

Ifthe youUK areleaving movingthe orEU retiringmight abroadaffect your Finnish social security benefits,.

Pensions

Read youguidance muston tellentitlement theto UK governmentbenefits officesand thatpensions dealwhile withyou yourare benefits,living pensionin and tax.Finland.

Read our State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

If you retire in Finland, you can claim:

• your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre tofor claimfurther information
• pensions fromif workingyou’ve worked in other EU countries
• your Finnish pension,pension, if you have worked in FinlandFinland. Find out more from the Finnish Centre for pensions

Read the Money and Pension Service’s MoneyHelper guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possiblepossible. -Your your payments may be suspended if you do not.

BenefitsMoney and banking

ReadWhether ourUK guidancebanks oncan entitlementprovide services to UKcustomers benefitsliving andin pensionsthe whileEEA youdepends areon livinglocal inlaws Finland.and regulation.

YouRead willthe needMoney toand tellPension theService’s UKMoneyHelper governmentguidance officeson thatbanking, dealinsurance withand yourfinancial benefits,services for pensionmore information on cross-border banking.

Accommodation and taxbuying ifproperty

Read youguidance areon movinghow to buy or retiringlet abroadproperty in Finland.

Driving in Finland

CheckYou whichcannot UKrenew benefitsor youreplace canyour claimUK, whileGibraltar, abroadJersey, andGuernsey howor toIsle claimof them.Man licence if you live in Finland.

ManyRead income-relatedthe benefitsguidance suchon aswhat Pensionyou Creditmust anddo Housingto Benefitdrive cannotlegally bein paidFinland:

• what you need to youdrive ifin you’rethe abroadEU
• driving forlicence morerules thanin 4Finland weeks.
  if you live there
• road travel in Finland

FinnishExchanging benefitsyour UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence

YouIf mayyou belive eligiblein toFinland, claimyou somemust Finnishexchange socialyour securitylicence benefitsfor a Finnish one.

You canwithin request2 proofyears of timemoving you’vethere. workedYou incan theexchange UKyour fromlicence HMRCwithout ifhaving youto aretake askeda test for this.

Readlicence guidancecategories fromA1, KelaA2, aboutA howor theB. UKIf leavingyour thelicence EUhas mightexpired, affector youryou Finnishhave socialbeen securityliving benefits.

Accommodationin andFinland buyingfor property

Readmore guidancethan on2 howyears, you will need to buytake ora lettest. propertyYou incannot Finland.use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of exchanging your licence.

Driving

Exchanging your licence if you were living in Finland

before 1 January 2021

If you arewere aliving resident in Finland,Finland before 1 January 2021 you shouldhave 2 years from 1 January 2021 to exchange your UK driving licence for a Finnish driving one.one.

Disabled drivers

If you movehave toa FinlandUK Blue Badge and live in Finland, you must exchangereturn yourit licenceto withinthe twooriginal yearsUK ofissuing arriving.authority. You can apply for a new Finnish disabled parking card.

Read the EU guidance on:on the EU parking card for people with disabilities.

• driving

  Bringing abroad

• roada travelUK-registered invehicle to Finland
• driving

  Read licenceour renewalguidance andon exchangetaking a vehicle out of the UK

.

Driving inoutside theFinland UK with a Finnish licence

You can use your Finnish licence inwhen visiting the UK. Keep up-to-date with the UK forHighway shortCode.

If visits,you orgo to live in the UK, you can exchange ityour Finnish licence for a UK licenceone without taking a test.

Bringing

To adrive UK-registeredin vehicleanother country, in addition to Finland

Readyour ourFinnish guidancelicence onyou takingmay aneed vehicleto outapply offor thean UKIDP.

Read the EU’s guidance onon:

• EU cardriving registrationlicences and taxesinsurance
• driving inlicence Finland.

  Youexchange mayand berecognition exemptin fromthe some of these taxes. If so you will need certificates of exemption.

  EU

Voting

If you are resident in Finland you can vote and stand in local municipal elections. You cannot vote in national or European Parliament elections.

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

• check if you are able to vote
• register as an overseas voter

Births, deaths, marriagesmarriage and civil partnerships

If your child is born in Finland, you willcan register the birth with the UK authorities in addition to registering locally. If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth abroadwith the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.

If someone dies in Finland:

• Finland read our guidance on on:
  • what to do after someone dies abroad
  • seebereavement a list of English-speaking funeral directors in Finland
  • readfinding guidanceEnglish-speaking forfuneral UKdirectors nationals on bereavement in Finland

  Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

  FindYou outmay aboutalso read notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Finland.

  Pets

  If youyou’re havemoving ato petFinland passportwith issuedyour bypet, Finlandread orthe anotherguidance EUand memberensure state, you cancomply usewith itthe toregulations:

  • taking travel with your pet abroad
  • moving to GreatEU Britaincountries andwith elsewhereyour in the EU.
    pet

  ATo GB-issuedvisit EUother petcountries passportwith isyour notpet, validcheck forthe travelrules tofor the EUcountry oryou’re Northerntravelling Ireland.to. YouContact should speak to your vet before you travel to get the necessary pet travel documents andyour ensurepet you’re compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.needs.

  Read guidance on:

  • bringing your pet to GBGreat Britain
  • travelling. withCheck that your petpet’s rabies vaccinations are up to date. Vets in theGreat EUBritain cannot enter rabies vaccination details in non-UK issued pet passports
  • travelling to Northern Ireland with your pet
  • travelling with your pet in the EU

  Emergencies

  CheckDial the rulesEuropean ofemergency number 112 in Finland for the countrypolice, you’reambulance travellingor fire brigade.

  Dial the EU 116 hotline to forreport anya additionalmissing restrictionschild orin requirementsthe beforeEU country where you travel.live or in another EU country.

  Emergencies

  FinlandIf usesyou need information on child abduction, read the Europeanguidance emergencyon numberinternational 112parental child abduction, the EU guidance on child abduction and EU guidance on child abduction to another EU country.

  If you’re athe victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisiscrisis, abroad, contact the British Embassy Helsinki.

  Returning to the UK

  TellCheck the COVID-19 travel guidance for entering the UK.

  Tell andthe Finnish and UK authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.

  To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

  If you get healthcare in Finland through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.

  To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

  Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax,bringing accessfamily tomembers, servicestax and bringingaccess familyto members.services.

  Useful information

  Support for British nationals abroad: a guide sets out how to stay safe abroad, and explains how the FCDO can support you if you get into difficulty.