Set up the essentials in your first weeks in Finland.
After arrival, you'll need to register with Finnish authorities and set up practical accounts. Attending the university's Check-In event during orientation week greatly speeds things up.
Register your address so you get a Finnish personal identity code (henkilötunnus). Book an appointment or attend the orientation-week Check-In event. You'll receive your identity code within up to seven weeks by email or post.
Documents you'll need
A Police ID card is optional but much more practical than carrying your passport, and required for many services including opening a bank account. Visit a police station 1–2 weeks after receiving your personal identity code. Bring a passport photo (printed or digital).
Queues in Helsinki can be long. Consider booking in another city (Porvoo, Turku, Tampere) or try a Friday afternoon.
A Finnish bank account is essential for mobile identification, which unlocks student services, healthcare, and government portals. Non-Finnish citizens have the right to basic banking services even without a police ID.
S-Pankki
S-Pankki — fast and simple; requires a ~€100 deposit (refunded when closing). Free for students while studying.
Visit websiteNordea
Nordea — full English service; no student fees. Processing times can be several months.
Visit websiteOP
OP — apply online or book an in-person meeting. App is in English; website only in Finnish.
Visit websiteMobilePay
MobilePay — a mobile payment app used everywhere in Finland to split bills and pay friends.
Visit websiteYou can activate your University of Helsinki user account up to four months before your study right begins on 1 August, once your information is in the student register. Without Finnish e-banking codes, email the Helpdesk (helpdesk@helsinki.fi) to start the process.
Once you have your personal identity code, send the last four digits to International Student Services (international-studentinfo@helsinki.fi.s) from your university email. Never send your full name and identity code together via normal email.