Whether you need a permit, which type to apply for, and how the process works — everything depends on where you are from and why you are moving.
If you are a citizen of an EU or EEA country or Switzerland, you do not need a residence permit to live in Finland. You have the right to move freely. However, if you stay longer than 3 months, you must register your right of residence at Migri (Finnish Immigration Service). This is a simple process that costs around 54 euros. You need proof of employment, studies, or sufficient funds to support yourself.
Citizens of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland can move to Finland with no permit and no registration at Migri. You only need to register at DVV (Digital and Population Data Services Agency) if you plan to stay longer than 6 months. Nordic citizens have full rights to work, study, and access services from day one.
If you come from outside the EU/EEA, you need a residence permit before arriving or shortly after. The main types are: work-based permit (requires a job offer), student permit (requires acceptance at a Finnish institution), family-based permit (joining a family member in Finland), entrepreneur permit, and specialist permit. Apply through Migri online at enterfinland.fi.
Apply online at enterfinland.fi. You will need your passport, passport photos, proof of the reason for your stay (job contract, study acceptance, family ties), and proof of sufficient funds. Processing times vary from 1 to 6 months depending on the permit type. You may need to visit a Finnish embassy for identity verification if applying from abroad.
Residence permits are usually granted for 1 to 4 years. Apply for an extension at least 1 month before your current permit expires. If your situation changes (for example, you came as a student but found work), you can apply for a new permit type. After 4 years of continuous residence, you can apply for a permanent residence permit (type P).
If you are fleeing persecution or conflict, you can apply for asylum at the Finnish border or at a police station inside Finland. You will be placed in a reception centre while your application is processed. Temporary protection is a separate status granted to groups fleeing armed conflict, as was done for Ukrainians in 2022. Contact Migri or the Finnish police for guidance.
Common mistake
Starting to work before your permit allows it. Working without the correct permit can result in fines and deportation, and makes future applications much harder.
Good to know
The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has an excellent online service called Enter Finland where you can track your application status in real time. Processing times are published on migri.fi.