Practical guide to Finland

• Population: approx. 5.6 million
• Area: 338,424 km²
• Capital: Helsinki (approx. 600,000 inhabitants)
• Head of State: President (elected every six years)
• Form of government: Parliamentary democracy
• Official languages: Finnish and Swedish
• Religion: No official state religion; Evangelical Lutheran Church is the largest religious community
• Currency: Euro (€)
• International calling code: +358

Finland is a Nordic country and a member of the European Union. It is a stable democracy with a high level of equality, safety and trust in public institutions. While the President serves as the head of state, political power mainly lies with the Parliament and the Government.

Finnish culture has been shaped by both Scandinavian and Russian influences, as well as by the country’s northern location and close relationship with nature. Space, silence and nature are highly valued.

In terms of land area, Finland is one of the largest countries in Europe, but its population density is very low. Forests cover over two thirds of the country, and water makes up about 10% of its surface area. Finland is often called “the land of a thousand lakes”, although in reality there are nearly 188,000 lakes.

Finland has four clearly defined seasons. Summers are generally mild and pleasant, with daytime temperatures in eastern parts of the country occasionally exceeding 25°C (degrees Celsius). Winters can be cold, especially in January and February, when temperatures around −20°C are common. Despite its northern altitude, Finland’s climate is relatively mild due to the Baltic Sea, numerous lakes and warm air currents from the Atlantic Ocean.

Seasonal changes in daylight are a distinctive feature of life in Finland. In summer, especially June and July, daylight can last almost 24 hours. In contrast, winter days are short, with only a few hours of daylight. Snow usually arrives in November, covers the ground in December and gradually melts away during March and April.

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Finding a job in Finland can be challenging, especially without excellent Finnish language skills. International students should not count on financing their studies by working.

Useful job search services and official information:

• Rules of working life/ Suomi.fi
• Aarresaari
• JobTeaser
• JobMarket Finland
• Work in Finland

Right to work while studying

International students holding a residence permit for studies are allowed to work in Finland without a separate work permit for:

• up to 25 hours per week on average during academic semesters
• full-time during holidays

Income from part-time work may be counted towards the required means of support when extending a residence permit, but not when applying for the first residence permit.

Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Nordic countries have unrestricted access to the Finnish labour market. Non-EU/EEA nationals need a work permit if they intend to engage in gainful employment while in Finland. More information is available from the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri).

Taxation of employment income

Taxation in Finland depends on how long you stay and your tax residency status.

• If you stay in Finland for less than six months, you are considered a non-resident and pay a flat-rate tax on your employment income.
• If you stay longer than six months, you are generally taxed in the same way as permanent residents, with taxation based on progressive income tax rates.

In addition to income tax, employers are required to deduct statutory contributions, such as employment pension and unemployment insurance contributions. Taxation may also be affected by tax treaties between Finland and your home country.

Tax card (verokortti)

All employees in Finland must have a tax card (verokortti), which you obtain from the local tax office.

To get a tax card, you need to fill out the required application, including:

• your name and address
• your Finnish Personal Identity Code
• an estimate of your income for the calendar year

Based on this information, the Finnish Tax Administration calculates your tax percentage, which is recorded on your tax card.

Your employer needs the information on your tax card before you start working. In many cases, the employer receives your tax card directly from the Tax Administration, and you do not need to submit it yourself. However, practices can vary between employers. If needed, you can provide your employer with a copy of your tax card. Whether you need to actively deliver the tax card or not is usually clarified when agreeing on the employment contract, and you can always ask your employer to confirm their practice.

You can apply for or update your tax card:

• online in MyTax, if you gave Finnish online banking credentials or a mobile certificate
• by booking an appointment at a local tax office or contacting the national service number
  • see tax offices’ service points, opening hours and contact information

Further information on taxation
Other useful information concerning employment contract, working time, wages, annual holidays etc. from the website of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in Finland.

Cycling

A bicycle (pyörä/polkupyörä in Finnish) is a practical and popular form of transportation in Finland, especially in cities. There is an extensive network of paved cycle paths, and cycling is a convenient way to explore your new surroundings.

While using a bicycle, please note the following:

• Always lock your bike when leaving it unattended, preferably securing it to a bicycle rack or other solid structure.
• A front light and a rear reflector/light are compulsory when cycling in the dark.
• Wearing a bicycle helmet is strongly recommended as it can save you from a serious head injury.

Buying or renting a bicycle

Second-hand bicycles are widely available and often inexpensive. You may find suitable bikes through:

• “Buy and sell crap in Joensuu” in Facebook
• KISA (Kuopio International Student Association) Student Marketplace in Facebook
• Online second-hand shops: Kuopion kirppari ja tori.fi (mainly in Finnish)
• Bicycle repair shops and other students
• Local police station auctions of lost and found items (held a few times a year)
  • only in Finnish, so please as a fellow Finnish student to accompany you

It is also possible to rent bikes:

• City Bikes Kuopio
• Community Resource Centre Citizen’s House (Kansalaistalo) in Joensuu

Driving a car in Finland

In order to drive a car in Finland you need to be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license.

• Driving licenses issued in EU and EEA countries are valid in Finland as long as the license itself is valid.
• Licenses issued in countries that have signed the Geneva or Vienna Road Traffic Convention are valid for two years, after which a Finnish driver’s license must be acquired.
• Licenses from countries outside these agreements are not valid in Finland.

Useful websites:

• Driving in Finland (pdf)
• Finnish Road Safety Council → Traffic regulations in Finland
• Driving in Finland / VisitFinland

Key traffic regulations in Finland

• Seatbelts are obligatory for all passengers, both in the front and back seats. Children under three years of age must be seated on the back seat on a safety seat.
• Headlights must be used at all times, day and night.
• Winter speed limits apply from November to February, but may start earlier or end later depending on weather conditions.
• Winter tires are mandatory from December to February.
• Using or holding a handheld mobile phone while driving is prohibited; hands-free devices are required.
• Cars in Finland are subject to a mandatory periodic vehicle inspection.

Alcohol, drugs and driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly forbidden. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5‰. Police can breathalyse a driver on the spot. If suspected of driving under the influence, a person may be taken to a blood test or to a police station. Driving under the influence of drugs is always a criminal offence. Violations of these rules can result in fines, driving bans or imprisonment.

Parking

Most cities have metered parking zones. In some areas parking is free but limited in time. In these cases, a parking disc is required and must be clearly displayed on the dashboard, showing the time of arrival according to rules. A parking disc can be obtained at petrol stations and grocery stores.

Parking on university campuses is subject to fees. UEF staff and students may apply for a parking permit through an online system.

Car rental

To rent a car in Finland, you need:

• a valid driver’s license
• typically at least one year of driving experience
• to meet the rental company’s age requirements (often a minimum of 20 years)

Drivers under the age of 25 may be charged a young driver fee. Many rental companies require a credit car and proof of identity.

Some car rental companies:

• Avis
• Budget 
• Europcar 
• Hertz 
• Scandia Rent

Finland has guaranteed freedom of religion and belief since 1923. The Finnish Constitution ensures that everyone has the right to practice a religion, change their religion, or not belong to any religious community at all. Religious practice is permitted as long as it does not violate the law or fundamental human rights.

Finnish society is generally secular, and religious plays a limited role in everyday public life. Many Finns belong to a religious community, but relatively few actively participate in religious services.

Finland has two national churches:

• the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, to which approximately 62–63% of the population belong, and
• the Orthodox Church of Finland, with about 1% membership.

There are also Catholic, Jewish, Islamic, and a number of small religious denominations represented in Finland.

Religious life and facilities on campus

UEF supports students from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. Campus pastors are available for discussion and support, regardless of religious affiliation.

On the Kuopio Campus there is a prayer room for Muslims in Kukkola building. Access requires a key and a refundable deposit. You can apply for the key of the prayer room at the Office of Facilities Management. Please note that locations, access procedures, and contact persons may change, so students are advised to check the most up-to-date information via UEF’s official website or campus services.

• Religion in Finland
• Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
• The Orthodox Church of Finland
• Catholic Church
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• The Evangelical Free Church of Finland
• Kuopio Islamic Center
• The Islamic Society of Savo in Facebook
• UEF Muslim Students’ Club in Facebook
• Joensuu Mosque in Facebook
• Pentecostal Church
• Seventh-day Adventist Church

The following public holidays are celebrated annually in Finland. The dates of some holidays vary from year to year. Shops and banks are usually closed on these dates, and shorter opening hours are usually followed on the eve of the public holiday (e.g. December 24). Any exceptions to normal opening hours are typically announced on the premises of the shop or service and on their websites.

Public Holidays

Time zone

Finland is in the Eastern European Time (EET) zone.

• UTC +2 during standard time
• UTC +3 during daylight saving time (summer time, kesäaika)

Daylight saving time is observed from the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of October. Clocks are adjusted during the early hours of Sunday morning to minimise disruption.

The entire country follows the same time zone.

Electricity

The standard electrical supply in Finland is 230V (50 Hz), and electrical plugs are type C and type F two-pin plugs (continental European standard). Most modern electronic devices support 100–240 V input, but you should always check your device specifications before use. A plug adapter may be required.

Units of measurement

Finland uses the metric system in everyday life, education, and official contexts. Distances are measured in kilometres, temperatures in degrees Celsius, and weights in grams and kilograms.

Below are selected conversion tables that may be useful when cooking, travelling, or adjusting to everyday life in Finland.

Length

Distance

Temperature (oven settings)

Weight

Volume (cooking)

Currency and everyday payments

The official currency in Finland is the euro (€), which is divided into 100 cents. Banknotes are available in denominations of EUR 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. Coins are issued in 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and EUR 1 and 2. 1- and 2-cent coins are not used in Finland, and cash payments are rounded to the nearest 5 cents.

Finland is a highly digitalised society, and card payments are the most common method of payment. International debit and credit cards (such as Visa and Mastercard) are widely accepted. Cheques are rarely used in Finland and are not accepted as a method of payment in everyday transactions.

If you expect to need cash, it may be useful to exchange some currency before arriving in Finland, as currency exchange services are limited and often require a bank account.

Cash machines (ATMs)

Cash can be withdrawn from ATMs using Finnish bank cards and most international cards (fees may apply depending on your card issuer).

If your bank card is lost or stolen, contact your card issuer or bank immediately using the emergency number provided by your bank.

Opening a bank account in Finland

Students who wish to open a Finnish bank account are advised to do so as soon as possible after their arrival. You should make an appointment with the bank to open an account. Banks have very limited opening hours, so you should book an appointment well in advance.

When opening an account, banks typically require:

• a valid proof of identity (e.g. passport)
• a Finnish Personal Identity Code
• proof of your student status (for example, a study certificate or admission letter)

Banks charge fees for account services, cards, and international transfers. Fees vary between banks, so it is recommended to ask for a price list or service package in advance.

Online and international banking

Online banking is the primary way to pay bills and manage finances in Finland. If possible, it is advisable to use your home country’s online banking since the banks in Finland have reduced their services and usually do not allow online banking for short-term use.

Remember that you need the SWIFT code (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) or the BIC code (Bank Identification Code) when making international transactions. If you are making the payment from Europe, you will also need to use the IBAN code (International Bank Account Code).

Some Finnish banks (links open in a new tab):

• Danske Bank
• Handelsbanken
• Nordea
• Osuuspankki
• POP Pankki
• S-pankki

Some students use European online banks or payment services (such as Revolut or N26) for everyday expenses, especially at the beginning of their stay. Whether these services are sufficient depends on your personal situation and length of stay.

The Finnish Post mostly has post-in-shops service points and Posti Parcel Points (pakettiautomaatti) at certain grocery stores or R-kiosks where you can send and receive parcels. These follow the opening hours of the store. Find the closest post-in-shop.

See more for sending letters and parcels.

Letters can be mailed at post offices or dropped into letterboxes throughout the city. The time when the letterbox is being emptied is written on the box. Incoming mail is delivered to your address Monday through Friday. There are no deliveries on Saturdays, Sundays or on public holidays.

Making phone calls

When calling to Finland from abroad, use the following format:

• +358 + the area code without the leading 0 + phone number.

When calling from Finland to another country, dial:

• + (on mobile phones), followed by country code, area code (without the leading 0), and the destination number, or
• 00 (international access code).

The + prefix works internationally and is the most commonly used option on mobile phones.

Area codes and number enquiries

In Finland, an area code is always required, even when calling local numbers from a mobile phone. Finnish phone numbers do not include a leading zero when written in international format.

Paid number enquiry services exist, but they are relatively expensive. In practice, most people use online search engines or company websites to find phone numbers.

Mobile phones and subscriptions

Finland is a highly mobile-oriented country, and public payphones are extremely rare. Having a mobile phone is considered essential for everyday life. If you do not already have a suitable phone, mobile phone shops and online marketplaces often sell second-hand phones at reasonable prices.

The main mobile network operators in Finland include DNA, Elisa and Telia. You can choose between:

• Post-paid subscriptions, which usually require a Finnish Personal Identity Code and may involve a deposit or credit check.
• Prepaid SIM cards, which are widely available, easy to use, and often most convenient option for new arrivals.

Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased at supermarkets, kiosks, electronic stores and operator shops.

Some student organisations or local services may occasionally provide prepaid SIM cards to new international students. Availability varies by year and location.

Internet-based communication

Many students primarily use internet-based communication services instead of traditional phone calls. Common options include WhatsApp, Skype, Signal and Microsoft Teams. With a mobile data plan or Wi‑Fi connection, these services are usually cheaper and more convenient for international communication.