Moving to Helsinki
Local information
Select your municipality in order to see information about local services when browsing the site.
Permit matters
At the Helsinki service point of the Finnish Immigration Service, you can apply for a residence permit or register the right of residence of a EU citizen.
Helsinki service point of the Finnish Immigration Service:
Kaupparaitti 10
00770 Helsinki
Open: Mon–Fri 8:00–16.15
Last Thursday of the month from 10:00 to 16:15
You can apply for many residence permits and EU registrations online in the Enter Finland service. If you are not familiar with using computers, you can fill a paper application form and bring it to a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service.
You should always make an appointment for the service point in advance. You can make the appointment in the appointment booking service of the Finnish Immigration Service. Please note that the service point cannot give advice about permit matters.
Read more: Moving to Finland.
Finnish Immigration Service
Electronic appointment bookingLink redirects to another websiteResidence permit problems
If you have problems or there is some confusion about your residence permit, you can contact the Finnish Immigration Service. You can also ask for advice at the Helsinki-info. Helsinki-info serves in several languages by phone, face to face or online.
Helsinki-info
Tel. 09 310 11111, Mon–Thu 9 am–4 pm, Fri 10 am–3 pm
Service points:
- Central Library Oodi, address: Töölönlahdenkatu 4, Mon–Thu 10 am–6 pm and Fri 10 am–4 pm.
- International House Helsinki, address: Lintulahdenkuja 2 D, 2nd floor area, Mon–Thu 9 am–4 pm and Fri 9 am–4 pm.
- Itäkeskus Library, Stoa, address: Turunlinnantie 1, Mon & Wed 9 am–4 pm, Fri 10 am–4 pm.
The Refugee Advice Centre (Pakolaisneuvonta) provides legal aid and advice in matters related to asylum and residence permits.
Address: Pasilanraitio 9 B
Tel. 09 2313 9300 (legal services) or 09 2313 9325 (advice, Mon–Fri 10.00–12.00)
Email: pan@pakolaisneuvonta.fi (Link opens default mail program) (legal services) or neuvonta@pakolaisneuvonta.fi (Link opens default mail program) (advice)
To read more, go to: Residence permit problems.
Registering as a resident
If you are moving to Helsinki permanently, you must register as a resident of the municipality. To register a municipality of residence, you must usually visit a service location of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto). Make an appointment in advance online or by phone.
Digital and Population Data Services Agency, Helsinki
Lintulahdenkuja 2 D
2nd floor area
Tel. 0295 536 320 (registration of foreigners)
When visiting the Digital and Population Data Services Agency, please bring along the following:
- personal identification (a passport, for example)
- residence permit and residence card (if you need a residence permit for Finland)
- right of residence registration certificate (if you are a citizen of an EU country)
- marriage certificate
- birth certificates of your children
Please note that any documents brought from abroad must be translated into Finnish, Swedish or English and legalised. Read more about legalising documents and registering as a resident on the InfoFinland page Registering as a resident.
More information is also available at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency website or your country’s diplomatic mission in Helsinki.
Digital and Population Data Services Agency
Registering a foreign citizenLink redirects to another websiteInternational House Helsinki
If you have recently moved into the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, you can receive guidance and public services in one place at International House Helsinki (IHH).
At International House Helsinki, you can:
- seek free guidance and information related to moving in several languages
- register your right of residence if you are a citizen of an EU country
- apply for a Finnish personal identity code, register as a resident and report your address information
- apply for a tax card and receive guidance on taxation
- search for information about Finnish social security and benefits
- receive guidance on TE services and searching for work
- receive guidance on earnings-related pension and information on the A1 certificate
- receive help with finding employment
- receive guidance on day-care and school places for families
- receive support from the Spouse Program network for the spouses of foreigners who have moved to Helsinki, Espoo or Vantaa for work
- attend free-of-charge Newcomer information sessions in English that provide support and advice on what to do before and after arriving in Finland. The events are held online.
Address:
Lintulahdenkuja 2 D, 2nd floor
00530 Helsinki
Read more on the International House Helsinki website.