Before moving to Espoo

• The Finnish Immigration Service(extrernal link) website is the go-to source for information about the process of migrating to Finland. 

• You can find information in 12 different languages about moving to Finland(extrernal link) and moving to Espoo on the InfoFinland website.(extrernal link) 

• The Suomi.fi Web Service provides information about moving to Finland(extrernal link). 

• Depending on your status and circumstances, International House Helsinki(extrernal link) provides a wide range of information and public authority services to help you.

• Finnish Immigration Service provides information(extrernal link) considering the residence permits. The Application Finder(extrernal link) helps you to find the right application for your situation.

• You can apply for a residence permit online at Enter Finland (extrernal link)or send a printed application to the Finnish Immigration Service. Read the instructions for filling in the form at Finnish Immigration Service website.

• The processing time of applications may vary. Use the Processing Time Checker(extrernal link) to check the estimated processing time of your application. Please note that the processing of an application is subject to a fee.

• After you are granted a residence permit, a residence card or your right of residence, it will be registered by the Finnish Immigration Service. You will be issued a personal identity code that is needed(extrernal link) for public authorities, banks, employers and other services. 

• Check out instructional videos for applying for a residence permit (extrernal link)provided by the Finnish Immigration Service.

Finding a job is always challenging wherever you are. With over 680 international companies, Espoo is a great place for international talents. Important technology campuses in Otaniemi and Keilaniemi are home to the Espoo innovation ecosystem.

Talent Espoo is part of  ‘Talent Boost - International talents boosting growth(extrernal link)’ program working on talent attraction and retention to Finland. Check out our Talent Espoo services that are available and beneficial to you. 

If you come to work in Finland, it is good to gain some knowledge of Finnish way of working(extrernal link). For example, for each month of full-time working, employees in Finland earn at least two days of annual leave. In Finland, every foreigner has the same rights at work as Finnish citizens.(extrernal link)    

Statistics Finland provide information about the index of wage and salary earnings in Finland(extrernal link).

Please note that employees in Finland pay a municipal tax, a progressive state tax, and various minor taxes on their gross earned income. Before starting to work, you need to have a tax card from The Finnish Tax Administration(extrernal link) (Vero), which calculates a withholding tax percentage for all employees.  

Job advertisement platforms in Finland

• Jobs.workinfinland.fi(extrernal link) offers open job opportunities for English speaking professionals.
• you can search for vacancies on company websites
• TE Services have gathered a list of other employment service websites(extrernal link)
• you can find open vacancies also on LinkedIn(extrernal link)

Read more about work and enterprise in Espoo on the InfoFinland website(extrernal link).

There are many study opportunities such as universities and vocational education in Espoo: 

• Aalto University(extrernal link)
• Laurea University of Applied Sciences(extrernal link)
• Metropolia University of Applied Sciences(extrernal link)

• OMNIA, The Joint Authority of Education in Espoo Region(extrernal link)

Study in Finland provides general information(extrernal link) about studying in Finland. You can find more specific information about applying to a study programme, scholarships and fees on their website.

Have you been accepted as a student at a Finnish educational institution? Find out how to apply for a residence permit for studies on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service(extrernal link).

Finland offers growth potential, business and investment opportunities.

• If you want to start your own business in Finland, you might consider applying for a Finnish startup permit(extrernal link). Also check residence permit for entrepreneur(extrernal link).
• Business Espoo gives advice on matters such as founding and developing a company, acquiring skilled workers.
• Check out 4 quick steps to set up a business(extrernal link) on the Business Finland website. Business Finland also offers a Startup Kit for your new business in Finland(extrernal link).

• Business Espoo offers services to grow your business in sparring, networking, financing and training.
• Enter Espoo helps companies(extrernal link), investors, visitors, and travel professionals to access business opportunities and exciting adventures in Espoo. The Launchpad matching platform(extrernal link) is an open innovation ecosystem of Enter Espoo, helping startups to grow into scaleups by connecting them with the right investors and corporations at the right time. 
• To build your network and grow your business, FiBAN (Finnish Business Angels Network)(extrernal link) actively links startups with more than 650 business angel members in Finland, the Nordics and the Baltics. 

Living in Espoo is a balance between urban and nature. Espoo is a network city comprising five main city centres. In order to choose a place for living, we recommend you to learn more about the city districts.

Our map service provides more information(extrernal link) about the following:

• daycare units
• schools
• hospitals
• health centers
• dental clinics.

Espoo has different types of property such as blocks of flats, terraced housing and detached housing.  Read more about housing in Espoo.

• InfoFinland provides information about housing possibilities in Espoo(extrernal link). You can rent a private or city-owned rental housing, a student flat as well as buy your own home.  
• In addition, Espoo has a variety of hotels where you can obtain temporary accommodation(extrernal link). 
• If you need support, we offer Housing Counselling to help you with housing-related issues.

We offer a wide range of services for families. InfoFinland provides information about moving to Finland with family(extrernal link).

If you are moving to Espoo with a family member who is not

• a citizen of a Nordic country or
• a citizen of an EU member state or
• a family member of an EU citizen living in Finland

they will need to apply for a residence permit. The type of the residence permit(extrernal link) depends on your family ties.

Please note that there is an income requirement for family members(extrernal link) of a person who has been granted a residence permit in Finland.

If you are moving to Espoo with children, we suggest you familiarise yourself with the Finnish education system(extrernal link). Your children can attend comprehensive education. In Espoo, learning opportunities in English are provided from early to higher education.

InfoFinland provides information about Finnish public health care for children(extrernal link).

Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland(extrernal link) grants you different benefits while living in Finland. Please read more about Kela's benefits for families with children(extrernal link).

When you move to Espoo you might be considering bringing some of your belongings with you, such as vehicles or pets to your new home.  

• Tulli.fi(extrernal link) – Official Finnish Customs site provides information about moving your belongings from abroad.
• InfoFinland offers information about moving personal belongings to Finland(extrernal link).