Finland (FI)

The henkilötunnus (HETU) is Finland's personal identification number — an 11-character code in the format DDMMYY-XXXC (date of birth, separator, 3-digit individual number, and a control character). It is the single most important document in Finland: required for all government services, healthcare, banking, tax, Kela benefits, renting an apartment, buying a phone contract, and most official purposes. Issued by DVV (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto — Digital and Population Data Services Agency) upon registering in Finland. Without a HETU, you cannot function in Finnish society.

Required for all immigration, banking, and official registration purposes. Non-EU nationals must hold a valid passport throughout their stay. EU nationals can use their national ID card for EU free movement purposes and registration at DVV.

The Kela card is issued by Finland's Social Insurance Institution (Kela/Kansaneläkelaitos) after you register with them. It proves your entitlement to Finnish social security benefits and subsidised healthcare. Used at pharmacies for medicine reimbursements, at the health centre (terveyskeskus) for subsidised visits, and when applying for any Kela benefit. Apply at kela.fi or a Kela office after getting your HETU.

Registration at DVV (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto — the Finnish Population Register) to establish your home municipality (kotikunta). This is what gives you the right to Finnish municipal services, healthcare at the terveyskeskus, and Kela benefits. EU citizens with the right of residence and non-EU permit holders must register. Enables you to get a HETU.

EU/EEA citizens staying in Finland for more than 3 months must register their right of residence at DVV. Registration confirms your legal right to live and work in Finland as an EU citizen. Requires proof of employment, study, or self-sufficiency (with comprehensive health insurance). Free to register.

Non-EU/EEA nationals require a residence permit (oleskelulupa) to live and work in Finland beyond their visa period. Applied for at Migri (Finnish Immigration Service — migri.fi). Types: employee residence permit (työntekijän oleskelulupa), self-employment permit, student permit, family reunification. Processing can take several months — apply well in advance.

The verokortti is your Finnish tax withholding card — it shows your personal withholding rate (pidätysprosentti) and applies to your salary. Your employer MUST have your tax card before paying your salary. Without a tax card, the employer is legally required to withhold 60% of your salary. Obtain your tax card online at OmaVero (vero.fi) or at a Verovirasto (tax office) immediately upon starting work. Updated annually — check and reorder in January each year.

Suomi.fi is Finland's national digital service portal. Identification via Finnish bank credentials (pankkitunnukset), mobile ID (mobiilivarmenne), or a Finnish government smart card. Used to access all Finnish government digital services: OmaVero (tax), Kela.fi, DVV, and hundreds of other public services. Essential for digital self-service in Finland.

Required for registering children, family reunification applications, marriage registration, and citizenship applications. Must be an official document from your country of birth.

Required for family reunification, registering a spouse in Finland, and some benefit applications (e.g., Kela family benefits). Must be the official original or certified copy.

Required for DVV registration and getting your HETU. A signed rental contract or written confirmation from a landlord or host that you live at the address.

Required for recognition of foreign qualifications. Finland is a Hague Apostille member; apostille and certified Finnish or Swedish translation required. Academic recognition is processed by OPH (Opetushallitus — Finnish National Agency for Education) at oph.fi. Regulated professions have separate licensing authorities: Valvira (National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health) for healthcare professionals; Finnish Bar Association for lawyers. Processing can take 3–6 months.

Your home country driving licence. EU/EEA licences are valid in Finland and can be exchanged for a Finnish licence. Non-EU licences are valid for 2 years from establishing Finnish residency. Keep the original — needed for exchange applications.