Before arrival

If you plan to stay in Finland for more than three months, you will need a residence permit. However, citizens of EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland are exempt from this requirement.

The type of residence permit you need will depend on the nature of the work or business you intend to undertake in Finland. You can use the Ministry of Foreign Affairs application finder to determine the appropriate type of residence permit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs application finder.

The required travel documents depend on the nationality of the visitor. For more information, please visit the pages of the Finnish Immigration Service.

Nordic citizens

As a Nordic citizen, you don't need a visa, residence permit, or employee’s residence permit to study or work in Finland. However, you must be able to reliably confirm your identity and nationality, typically with a passport or an identification card that includes your picture. If your stay exceeds six months, you need to register at the Local Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).

EU/EEA nationals

As a citizen of the EU, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland, you can freely work in other EU countries for up to three months. The EU countries include the Netherlands, Belgium, Bulgaria, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Austria, Greece, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Poland, France, Romania, Sweden, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, Denmark, Czech Republic, Hungary, Finland, and Estonia.

You do not need a work permit if your stay is up to three months. However, if you plan to stay longer, you must register your right of residence at the Finnish Immigration Services.

To register your right of residence as an EU citizen in Finland, follow these steps:

1. Fill in the application form: Use the Enter Finland online service to complete the application form and include the required appendices
2. Visit a service point: You must go to a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service to prove your identity and present the original copies of the appendices to your application. Make sure to book an appointment in advance through the electronic appointment booking service.

The registration of your residence permit is valid until further notice. After five years of continuous and legal residence in Finland, you are entitled to permanent residence as a citizen of the European Union.

Besides this registration, you also need to register your personal data with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).

Find out more about your rights as an EU citizen: ec.europa.eu/justice/opinion/your-rights-your-future.

Third country nationals

If you are a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country, you typically need a visa or a residence permit before coming to Finland. Researchers, teachers, and specialist who come to work for up to 90 days do not need a residence permit. However, you must have a valid Schengen visa, unless you are from a country that is exempt from the visa requirement. To find out more about Schengen visa requirements and application process, please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs webpage. 

Residence permit

You can apply for the residence permit online at Enter Finland. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs application finder will guide you to the correct type of residence permit. The most common residence permit types for our employees are:

• Residence permit for a researcher
• Residence permit for a specialist

If you relocate with family, you can find information on residence permits for family members on the Finnish immigration services website. We always recommend that you apply for the residence permit for family members at the same time as you apply for your own as the processing times when applying separately might be significantly longer for the family members. 

For identification purposes, you will also need to visit your closest Finnish embassy or consulate. 

Consider getting health insurance from your home country, especially when you first arrive and are still settling in. We highly recommend additional health insurance even for EU citizens, as the European Health Insurance Card only covers necessary medical treatment in the public sector. For more information about insurance, please visit migri.fi/en/insurance.

If you are coming from another EU/EEA country or Switzerland and working simultaneously in two or more EU countries, you must carry an A1 Certificate. This form indicates which EU country is responsible for your social security contributions.
 

Finding a comfortable apartment is essential for your stay in Vaasa. The city offers a wide range of rental options, with apartments available in both the city center and the countryside. For more information about the different neighborhoods, refer to the City of Vaasa guide.

We recommend starting your home search as soon as you know your arrival date. Finding a furnished apartment, particularly during the busy months of August and September, can be challenging. Therefore, we advise you to begin your search as early as possible to ensure you find suitable accommodation.

Furnished apartments for short-term visits

Several companies in Vaasa provide furnished apartments for individuals and families, available for daily or monthly rental. These apartments typically maintain a high standard and often include services such as cleaning. Some providers include breakfast, sauna, and other amenities in their pricing. Additionally, several hotels offer attractive deals for long-term stays. You can explore all available options in the Vaasa region on the City of Vaasa webpage.

The University of Vaasa offers two fully furnished studio apartments for our visitors. For details on availability, pricing, and booking, please reach out to the University of Vaasa Facility Services at tilat(a)uwasa.fi.

Renting an apartment in Vaasa

You can find a list of rental apartment mediators operating in the region on the City of Vaasa website.

The cost of a studio apartment in Vaasa typically ranges from €400 to €600 per month. Most landlords prefer to rent their apartments for a minimum of one year, making it challenging to find short-term leases. It is standard practice to request a rental deposit equal to 1-2 months' rent when signing the rental agreement. This deposit will be refunded at the end of the lease, as long as the apartment is left in good condition.

• Electricity is typically not included in the rent, so you will need to arrange a contract with an electricity provider.
• Your rental agreement will specify whether water is included in the rent or if it will be billed separately each month.
• Apartments are typically rented out without furniture. However, they always come with fitted wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, a refrigerator, and a stove.

It's also important to obtain home insurance to protect your belongings and cover potential damages. Home insurance can help in cases of accidents, such as fire or water damage as well as cover your personal belongings, such as furniture, clothing, and electronics, if they are damaged or stolen.  

Useful links about housing in Finland

• Infopankki Housing guide (infopankki.fi)
  Finnish real estate terms and abbreviations (expat-finland.com)
• Infokit for renting (vuokraturva.fi)
• How to sort your waste (stormossen.fi)
• Waste management and recycling (infofinland.fi)
• Movers checklist (vaasa.fi)

Please remember to bring your original degree certificates with you. They will be verified when you start work.

If you and your accompanying family members plan to live in Finland for at least a year, you must all register your residence with the local Digital and Population Data Services Agency. If you are married or have children, you need to provide a legalized copy of your marriage and/or birth certificates during registration. For more information on how to legalize these certificates, please refer to the pages on Legalisation of documents, The Apostille Certificate, and Finnish diplomatic missions abroad.

Pets

For information on importing pets to Finland, you can visit the Finnish Food Authority's website. They provide detailed guidelines on the requirements and procedures for bringing pets into the country.

Car

If you plan to bring your car to Finland, you'll find detailed instructions in the Finnish Tax Administration's guide and the Traficom website.

Currency

Please note that currency exchange services are not available in Vaasa. Any cash you bring to Finland should be in euros, as dollars and cheques are not accepted. If you are unable to exchange euros before arriving in Finland, you can do so at Helsinki Airport or Forex branches in other cities. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, and you can also withdraw cash from ATMs.