All steps

People and free time

Connect with local expat communities

Find your people - expat groups, local social events, and hobby clubs are one of the fastest ways to feel at home.

Whenever you feel ready - the sooner the better

Why this matters

Moving to a new country is socially difficult. Having a community around you makes a big difference to wellbeing and settling in.

How it goes

Facebook groups like "Expats in Helsinki" and "Internations Finland" are active and welcoming. Meetup.com has many English-language events in Finnish cities. Sports clubs (urheiluseura) are one of the best ways to meet locals. Many workplaces have active social committees and events.

Good to know

  • Internations Finland hosts regular networking events in major cities
  • Sport clubs are a great way to meet Finns - most welcome newcomers warmly
  • "Expats in Helsinki" on Facebook has over 20,000 members and active daily posts
  • Finns warm up slowly but are genuinely loyal and helpful once you get to know them