Settling in Helsinki

Helsinki-info

Helsinki-info is an advice service where you can get up-to-date information about Helsinki, city services, housing opportunities, work and studying. You can also ask for help if you are uncertain as to which authority to contact. Helsinki-info also offers digital advice and helps with matters connected to entry into the country. Helsinki-info serves in several languages by phone, face to face or online.

Telephone 09 310 11111 and chat 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.

International 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.

Free digital support for Helsinki residents

If you need help, for example, with using a computer or phone, or with electronic transactions, you can ask the City of Helsinki’s digital support (digituki) for advice. Digital support is available at libraries, community centres, service centres, the adult education centre and youth centres. You can also ask for advice from the digital support chat or helpline at 09 310 10011 (Mon–Fri 9.00–12.00).

If you need digital support for your home, fill in the form online or call 09 2312 0370 (Mon, Wed and Thu at 9.00–12.00).

In addition, Helsinki-info also advises city residents on matters related to digital support. For help, call Helsinki-info on 09 310 11 111.

When you register as a job seeker, an employee of the Employment and Economic Development Office (Työ- ja elinkeinotoimisto) will complete an initial assessment (alkukartoitus) with you and prepare an integration plan (kotoutumissuunnitelma). The Employment and Economic Development Offices of Itäkeskus and Pasila perform initial assesments. In order to have an initial survey, you must register as a job seeker online at te-palvelut.fi. You can register as a job seeker online if you have Finnish online banking credentials. You can also register for an initial assesment at an Employment and Economic Development Office.

Itäkeskus unit
Address: Asiakkaankatu 3 A, 4th floor
Telephone: 0295 025 500
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9 am to 4 pm

Pasila unit
Address: Ratapihantie 7 (entrance from the Veturinkatu side of the building)
Telephone: 0295 025 500
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9 am to 4 pm

Special immigrant services

Special Immigrant Services (Maahan muuttaneiden erityispalvelut) can provide guidance and advice on matters related to integration, immigration, trafficking in human beings and services for undocumented persons. Advice and guidance is available to anyone who needs it.

As of 4 March 2023, Ukrainians who have received temporary protection and a municipality of residence can also receive special services for immigrants.

The unit’s services include social services to promote integration, support for the independence of unaccompanied minors, and urgent and necessary social services, depending on the client’s situation.

You can also ask the Special Immigrant Services to carry out an initial assessment (alkukartoitus) pursuant to the Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration if you are not an unemployed jobseeker. For example, if you care for your child under the age of three, are a student, work or have been living in Finland for less than three years. The purpose of the initial assessment is to help you find the services you need to support your integration.

If you are looking for work, you should register with the TE Office. In this case, the TE Office will do your initial assessment.

Contact information:
Kalasatama Health and Well-being Centre (Kalasataman terveys- ja hyvinvointikeskus)
Special immigrant services
Työpajankatu 14 A, 1st floor
Tel. 09 310 37577 (recent arrivals and victims of trafficking in human beings)
Tel. 09 310 23747 (special group social work/undocumented persons)

Read more: Integration into Finland.

If you do not speak Finnish or Swedish, you can use an interpreter when attending to your affairs with the authorities. The Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) and the Finnish Immigration service (Maahanmuuttovirasto), for example, book interpreters for their customers in some cases. In that case you do not need to pay for it. Always ask about interpreting in advance from the authority in question or ask Helsinki-info for advice.

If you book an interpreter yourself and pay for it, you can use an interpreter whenever you want. Many companies in Helsinki provide interpreting services. You can search for such companies on the Internet, for example.

You can search for an interpreter or translator using the search engine on the website of The Finnish Association of Translators and Interpreters.

Read more: Do you need an interpreter?

If you have financial problems, you can book an appointment with the City of Helsinki’s financial counselling (talousneuvonta). You can find the contact information on the City of Helsinki website. You can also visit the Financial Counselling Clinic (talousneuvola) at the Central Library Oodi without an appointment (Töölönlahdenkatu 4, Wed 15.00–17.00).

You can also contact the Legal Aid Office’s financial and debt counselling unit. The service is free of charge.

Helsinki Legal Aid Office (Helsingin oikeusaputoimisto)
Financial and debt counselling (talous- ja velkaneuvonta)
Porkkalankatu 13 J
Tel. 029 56 60123

If your or your family’s income and assets are not enough to cover necessary daily expenses, you can apply for income support (toimeentulotuki) from Kela. 

To read more, go to: Financial problems.