Welcome students to Finland.

The Roadmap: How to get settled in 6 steps.

Moving to a new country is exciting, and Finland makes it easier than most. We’ve broken it down into 5 steps so you can get settled, handle the paperwork fast, and actually enjoy student life:

1. Digital Identity - Get your Finnish ID and online credentials. This unlocks housing, banking, and healthcare.

2. Housing & Community - Find a place and connect with other students, even without a Finnish guarantor.

3. Banking, Home Insurance & Connectivity - Set up a bank account, home insurance,  phone, and internet without the usual runaround.

4. Healthcare & Benefits - Register for Kela and student healthcare so you’re covered from day one.

5. Social Integration - Join student orgs, language cafes, and events to make Finland feel like home.

First Step

Digi- ja väestötietovirasto(DVV) – The Digital and Population Data Services Agency.

The Goal: Get your personal identity code (Henkilötunnus) to officially exist in the Finnish system.

Why it matters: Without this code, you cannot open a bank account, sign a rental agreement, or get a phone contract

Second Step

Housing & Community

- Student Housing Foundations

- Private Market

- Student Housing Foundations(SOA)

- Private Market Options: For private rentals, explore major national property portals such as Vuokraovi and Oikotie .

- Application Process: Apply directly through the portal of your choice as soon as you have your residence details or acceptance letter.

Student Housing Foundations(SOA): Find the official student housing foundation for your specific city via SOA , the national association for student housing.

- Application Process: Apply directly through your local foundation's online portal as soon as you receive your acceptance letter.

- Community Living: Living in student housing is the most effective way to integrate and meet both local and international students.

Vuokraovi.com is the largest and most popular rental search site in Finland. It is the main tool used by almost everyone who wants to find an apartment in this country, with over 30,000 constantly active listings.

Oikotie.fi (Asunnot) is one of the largest players in the Finnish real estate market, essential for any student looking for housing on the private market. Oikotie often hosts unique listings from private owners who don't advertise anywhere else.

Third Step

 Banking, Home Insurance & Connectivity

Banking

To open a bank account, you typically need your Finnish identity code and proof of residence.

S-Pankki - A highly practical choice for everyday banking, especially for those who shop within the S-Group network. It is known for its accessibility and seamless integration with the S-Etukortti loyalty program, allowing you to earn bonuses on your daily groceries and purchases while managing your finances.

OP (OP Financial Group) - One of the largest and most reliable banking groups in Finland, offering comprehensive financial services and a wide network of branches and ATMs across the country. It is a popular choice for students due to its robust mobile banking application, which is essential for managing daily transactions and accessing various digital services

Nordea Bank Finland - One of the largest financial institutions in the Nordic region, offering a wide range of services and a highly user-friendly digital banking experience. It is a solid, reliable choice for international students who need robust online banking tools and extensive international support.

Danske Bank - A major Nordic bank known for its efficient digital solutions and straightforward banking processes. It is often a convenient option for students seeking a modern, streamlined approach to personal finance management in Finland.

Home Insurance

Top Insurance Companies
​The following companies cover over 85% of the home insurance market in Finland:
​- If Vakuutus 
​- LähiTapiola
​- OP (Pohjola) 
​- POP Vakuutus
​- Fennia 
​- Turva 

If Vakuutus - Known for its quality customer service and fast claims processing. It is one of the largest companies in the Nordic region.

LähiTapiola- A mutual company with a strong regional presence throughout Finland. They often offer benefits if you centralize several of your insurance policies with them and collaborate with the S-ryhmä group (you can accumulate bonuses).

OP (Pohjola) - The largest financial group in Finland. It is a very popular choice if you are already an OP bank customer, as you can use your accumulated bonuses (OP-bonukset) to pay for your insurance premiums.

POP Vakuutus - Often considered the most affordable option. It operates mainly digitally and is ideal if you are looking for a simple and inexpensive solution without the need for a physical branch network.

Fennia - Another major company that offers complete packages, including identity theft protection.

Turva - Known for its high level of customer satisfaction.

Connectivity

Main operators (Own networks)
​In Finland there are three main operators that own their own network infrastructure:
- ​Elisa
​- Telia Finland 
​- DNA 

​Elisa - It is the largest operator in Finland. It is known for its very good coverage, especially in rural areas, and for the quality of its 5G services.

Telia Finland - Part of the international Telia Company group. It offers stable services and has a strong presence in both the residential and business markets.

DNA - It is very popular due to its competitive offers and fixed internet services via cable/fiber, with a large loyal customer base .

Fourth Step

Healthcare & Benefits

- Kela(Kansaneläkelaitos) - the Social Insurance Institution of Finland.

- YTHS(Yylioppilaiden terveydenhoitosätiö) - Student Healthcare

Kela(Kansaneläkelaitos) - the Social Insurance Institution of Finland: Use Kela as your primary source for information regarding your residence, social security status, and potential financial aid.

YTHS(Yylioppilaiden terveydenhoitosätiö) - Student Healthcare : If you are a student in higher education (University or UAS), you are required to pay the healthcare fee to Kela to access YTHS services.

- Vocational Students: If you are attending a vocational college (ammatillinen oppilaitos), please check your specific school's student portal, as healthcare services are provided directly by your educational institution or the local public health center, not by YTHS.

Fifth step

Social Integration

Find your specific union through SYL (National Union of University Students in Finland)

- SYL is a protective shield and a massive benefits package. Here are the 4 key roles it plays for you:
- Save money - It offers you the student card (Frank/Slice) with 50% discounts on train/bus and lunch in the canteen for only ~€2.60.
- Cheap health - It ensures you access to the university health service (YTHS), including dentists, psychologists and general practitioners.
- Advocate before the law - Fights against the increase in fees for non-EU students and lobbyes the Immigration Office (Migri) for easier visas.
- Integration and support - Through your faculty union, it offers you tutors upon arrival, social events and free legal assistance in case of problems with rent or employment.

SAMOK is the same organization as SYL, but dedicated exclusively to students at Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS / AMK). Here are the 4 key points to remember:
- Save money - They offer you a student card (Frank/Slice) with 50% discounts on train/bus and lunch at the cafeteria for only ~2.60 €.
- Focus on jobs and internships - Being focused on technical/vocational education, SAMOK directly helps you find your mandatory internships.
- Help for foreigners - Fights for Finnish companies to hire international students without requiring them to have perfect Finnish.
- Defense against fees - Protests against government decisions to increase tuition fees for non-EU students.

Although English is widely spoken, you can explore introductory resources for Finnish. Learning a few basic phrases will help you feel more connected to the community.

- Student Events: Participate in "fuksiaiset" (freshers' events) and other campus activities. These are the primary social networking opportunities to meet both local and international peers.

- Hobbies & Clubs: Look for student organizations or local clubs (kerhot) related to your interests. Check your school's website or the local student union portal for a list of active clubs in your city.