International students staying in Finland for longer than three months should obtain a Finnish personal identity code (henkilötunnus in Finnish). You need it for, e.g., opening a bank account, and for the university’s database and statistical purposes. The personal identity code will also help with identification when you are in contact with different Finnish authorities.
Students from non-EU/ETA countries can apply for the Finnish Personal Identity Code when applying for the residence permit (opens in a new tab). It is highly recommended you do it early!
If you do not apply for the Finnish personal identity code when applying for residence permit, in order to get it later, you have to visit the local Digital and Population Data Services Agency offices (opens in a new tab) during the first three months of your stay. Ask to be registered in the Finnish Population Information System - this means that you are issued a personal identity code and your postal address in Joensuu/Kuopio is registered.
After receiving the identity code, please inform the Student and Learning Services’ customer service (contact information at the bottom of the page) about it:
- You can visit our office and present the identity card or another document that displays the identity code.
- If you are unable to visit our office in person, and wish to handle the matter via email, please contact the Student and Learning Services’ customer service and request instructions for sending the identity code in an encrypted email message. Wait for instructions before sending the identity code.