Moving away from Finland
Notification of change of address to the authorities
When moving abroad from Finland, you must notify the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto) of your move. You can complete the notification of move online or with a form available at post offices and service locations of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto).
If you permanently move away from Finland or reside abroad for a continuous period of two years, your residence permit will be revoked. You can lodge an application with the Finnish Immigration Service (Maahanmuuttovirasto) to prevent the cancellation of the residence permit. The application must be submitted before you have resided abroad for two years.
More information on the matter is available on the InfoFinland page Can I lose my residence permit?
Digital and Population Data Services Agency
Moving away from FinlandLink redirects to another websiteFinnish Immigration Service
Cancelling a residence permitLink redirects to another websiteMoving abroad and social security
When you move to live abroad, you need to inform Kela if you are receiving Kela benefits or if you have a European Health Insurance Card.
If you are receiving Kela benefits, you will normally not lose your right to them if you stay abroad for six months or less. In that case, your stay abroad is considered temporary and you do not have to inform Kela.
If you stay abroad for 3–6 months, you should inform Kela if
- you are receiving general housing allowance,
- you are receiving child care allowance, or
- you need to buy prescription medicine from a pharmacy for over three months.
If you go to an EU or EEA country for work, you will be covered by the social security system of that country for the duration of your work, even if it is shorter than six months. In that case, you will not have the right to Kela benefits.
If you move abroad for over six months, the move is considered permanent. In that case, your right to Kela subsidies ends when you move. However, in some cases you can maintain your right to Kela benefits even if you stay abroad for over six months.
When you are abroad and have the right to Kela benefits, you must always inform Kela if your circumstances change. For example, if your family relationships change or if you start working, that may affect your right to Kela benefits.
More information on social security in Finland is available on the InfoFinland page Finnish social security.
Voluntary return of refugees and asylum seekers
If you want to return to your home country, you may in some cases receive assistance for this purpose. This assistance is either money or service.
You may be eligible for assistance for voluntary return if you are a non-EU national and
- you have applied for asylum and received a negative decision on your application,
- you have applied for asylum and withdrawn your asylum application, or
- you have previously been granted international protection status but it has been withdrawn.
The assistance includes reimbursement of travel expenses. In addition, you may receive various services or equipment to help you resettle in your home country.
Read more on the Finnish Immigration Service (Maahanmuuttovirasto) website.