Quick Facts
Total Population: 5.4 million
Capital: Helsinki
Currency: Euro
Official Language: Official languages are Finnish (spoken by over 90%) and Swedish
Work permit
If you are from a country that is not an EU member state, or one of the Nordic countries, you will need a work visa to enable you to move to and work in Finland. In order to obtain a work visa, you will need an employee contract, a valid passport and passport photo, an application for an employed person residence permit, as well as medical certificates.
While citizens of EU member states and Switzerland do not need to apply for a residence permit to work in Finland, they do need to register their right to reside in the country. Citizens of Iceland, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden do not need to register.
Taxes in Finland
You must have a tax card to work in Finland as you will pay taxes on all income received. In order to obtain a tax card, you can submit an application online or via a paper form that you can send to one of the tax offices. The tax card includes a tax rate calculated by the tax authorities to cover the tax liability estimated on your level of income. The tax year in Finland runs from 1 January to 31 December. Once you have received a tax card, it will be valid for the year you have received it in. The tax authorities will then send you a new tax card at the beginning of a new tax year.
Health Insurance in Finland
If you live and work in Finland, you are required to pay social security contributions. However, these are withheld from your salary and are paid by People2.0 on your behalf each month. An employee who belongs to the Finnish social security system is also liable to pay sickness insurance, pension contributions and unemployment insurance.
People who are residents of Finland are entitled to treatment in the public healthcare system and will be charged the same user fees as other local residents. The private healthcare sector is growing in Finland due to it being slightly quicker than in the public sector.
You may set up private health insurance independently, if you so wish. Finland’s main private medical and occupational healthcare providers include: Mehiläinen and Terveystalo.
Language in Finland
The two official languages of Finland are Finnish and Swedish, with Finnish being the mother tongue of over 90% percent of the population, and Swedish being the first language of 5.5% of the population.
Living in Finland
With a population of 5.5 million it is the 8th largest country in Europe and one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. One thing you will hear from expats who have decided to move there is the abundance of nature, from forests, lakes, meadows, and the longest archipelago coastline in the world. Finland often ranks high as one of the happiest countries in the world, rating highly for factors such as income, safety, freedom, high life expectancy, as well as social support.
If you love the outdoors and don’t mind trading in the short winter days for long summer days, living in Finland just might be for you!
How People2.0 can help
If you are an agency, contractor or employer operating in the Finnish market, People2.0 can help. Through payrolling, contract management and our legal services, we guarantee that you comply with all specific national and provincial laws and regulations.
Do you want to know more? Feel free to contact us on +44(0)2085 800 800 or send us an email to info@emea.www.people20.com. Find out more about our services in Finland here.
