Ways to live in Finland
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Work permit Work permits →
Residence permit for specialists
For highly qualified employees, usually with a university degree, hired by a Finnish employer at a high salary.
- What you need
- A job offer or contract for expert work and a gross salary of at least €3,937 per month in 2026 (benefits in kind don't count). If the salary is lower, the general permit for employed persons applies instead.
- Income
- from about $4,530 a month
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Online via Enter Finland; the employer adds its part of the application
- Family
- Family members can come with you
Student visa Student visas →
Residence permit for studies
For people accepted to a degree programme or other qualifying studies at a Finnish university or college.
- What you need
- A study place, health insurance and enough money to live on: at least €800 per month, or €9,600 in your account at the time of applying if the studies last a year or longer. Tuition must be covered on top of that unless already paid. Support provided by the school can replace part of the requirement.
- Income
- from about $920 a month
- Savings
- about $11,040
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Online via Enter Finland, then a visit to a Finnish mission to prove identity
- Family
- Family members can come with you
Freelancer and self-employed Freelancer and self-employed visas →
Residence permit for start-up entrepreneurs
For founders of a new growth-oriented company in Finland, or people about to set one up.
- What you need
- A positive eligibility statement from Business Finland (the state innovation agency) and enough money for the whole permit period — savings, company income or funding raised all count. Without the statement you can apply for the regular entrepreneur permit.
- How long
- First permit up to 2 years
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Get the Business Finland statement first, then apply online via Enter Finland
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| Room in a shared flat | $500 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat | $680 |
| Two-bedroom flat | $1,210 |
| Bills | $100 |
| Typical local salary | $3,400 |
Cities to consider
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Nature is part of daily life, with forests and lakes minutes from any city and the right to roam freely. Helsinki offers a compact, design-conscious capital, while Tampere, Turku and Oulu are smaller and calmer.
Day to day
Trains link the main cities comfortably, even in deep winter. Public health centres handle routine care, with private clinics for speed. Cards and mobile payments are universal, connections are fast, and English is widely spoken.
Trade-offs
Winter darkness is intense, especially in the north. Finns value personal space, so social life can feel quiet. Finnish is hard to learn, and many jobs still require it.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United States90 days
United Kingdom90 days
Australia90 days
Canada90 days
New Zealand90 days
SwitzerlandVisa-free
NorwayVisa-free
Singapore90 days
Japan90 days
South Korea90 days
Israel90 days
United Arab Emirates90 days
Hong Kong90 days
South AfricaVisa
Mexico90 days
Brazil90 days
Questions
Does Finland have a digital nomad visa?
Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.
How can I move to Finland?
The routes we have checked are: Work permit, Student visa, Freelancer and self-employed.
Sources and last check
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
