Moving to Finland from the UK: your 2026 guide

Finland is one of Europe's most liveable countries, with world-class education, a thriving tech sector, and a culture that values balance, nature, and trust. It's no wonder UK professionals are increasingly drawn to Helsinki, Tampere, and Turku.

But moving to Finland post-Brexit means navigating a new set of immigration rules, a registration system that hinges on your personal identity code (henkilötunnus), and the familiar 'ID code catch-22' that can leave you stuck before you've settled in.

In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know, from securing a residence permit and getting your identity code to setting up your finances across pounds and euros, and we'll show you how we can help your move with a Revolut travel money card.

16+, T&Cs apply.

Can you move to Finland from the UK after Brexit?

This is a common question for Britons wondering if it's possible to make the move to an EU country. Let's break it down:

Can I move to Finland from the UK?

Yes, but the rules have changed. Since the UK left the EU, British citizens are treated as third-country nationals. You can visit Finland visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period under the Schengen agreement, but if you want to live, work, or study there for more than 90 days, you need a formal residence permit processed by the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri).

Is it hard to move to Finland from the UK?

The process is well-documented and largely online, but it requires a job offer meeting the salary threshold, a place at a Finnish university, a qualifying family relationship, or an approved startup. With the right route and your paperwork in order, it's a structured, manageable move.

How to move to Finland from UK: residence permits and citizenship

Your starting point is choosing the right permit. Here are the main routes for Britons:

Work permits and specialist visas

Residence permit for an employed person

If you have a job offer from a Finnish employer, you can apply for a work-based residence permit. Your employer typically starts the process, and you'll need to meet an income requirement that varies by where you live. For 2026, the minimum net income thresholds are:

• Helsinki metropolitan area: €1,210/month (€14,520/year)
• Other large municipalities: €1,090/month (€13,080/year)
• Other municipalities: €1,030/month (€12,360/year)

Specialist permit

If you're coming to Finland to work in a job that requires special expertise, you can apply for a specialist permit. For 2026, the minimum salary is €3,937 per month. You'll need a higher education degree or equivalent expertise gained through experience. A first permit is granted for up to 2 years.

EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is available for highly qualified workers with a salary meeting the threshold (also €3,937 per month in 2026) and an employment contract lasting at least one year. It offers more flexibility to change employers and move within the EU.

Start-up and self-employed permits

Finnish start-up permit

This permit lets you establish a growth-oriented company in Finland. You'll need a positive Eligibility Statement from Business Finland before applying via Enter Finland. A first permit is granted for up to 2 years, and you'll need sufficient financial resources for the duration.

Self-employed/entrepreneur permit

If you're running an existing business, you can apply for an entrepreneur permit. The Economic Development Centre first assesses your business viability, then Migri processes the residence permit. You must work in the company yourself and earn your living primarily from the business.

Student permits and family reunification

Student permit

If you've been accepted into a Finnish higher education institution, you can apply for a residence permit as a student. You'll need proof of enrolment and sufficient funds to support yourself, with a minimum of €560 per month. Student permits allow you to work part-time during your studies.

Family reunification

If your spouse or partner is a Finnish resident or citizen, you may be eligible for a family reunification permit, subject to income and self-sufficiency requirements.

Permanent residency and citizenship

After 4 years of continuous residence on an A-permit (continuous residence permit), you can apply for a P-permit (permanent residency). Finnish citizenship is possible after 5 years of continuous residence (or 7 if you're a Nordic citizen), subject to language requirements in Finnish or Swedish.

Permit comparison at a glance

Step-by-step relocation process for moving from the UK to Finland

Once you've secured your qualifying basis, here's the practical sequence for emigrating to Finland.

1. Apply via Enter Finland and attend biometrics

You'll need to submit your residence permit application online via the Finnish Immigration Service's portal. You'll create an account, complete the application, pay the processing fee, and upload your supporting documents (your employment contract, passport, and qualifications). You'll then need to verify your identity and provide biometric data at the Finnish Embassy in London or a VFS centre. Processing times vary, but expect 1–3 months for most work permits.

2. Register your address and get a personal identity code

Once you arrive in Finland and have a registered address, you register with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) to receive your henkilötunnus (personal identity code) and register your municipality of residence (kotikunta). You submit the free online registration form, then visit a DVV service point in person within one month with your passport, residence permit, and proof of work or study. Processing takes 2–3 weeks for work and study cases.

How do I get a personal identity code in Finland?

You get it by registering with the DVV after arriving with a valid residence permit. If Migri granted your permit, your details may be registered automatically, but most newcomers still need to register their address with the DVV to get their kotikunta (municipality of residence), which is what entitles you to public services like healthcare.

3. Set up tax cards and enrol in Kela

With your personal identity code, you can apply for a Finnish tax card (verokortti) via the Tax Administration, which your employer uses to deduct the correct tax. You'll also enrol with Kela, Finland's social security institution, to access healthcare coverage and benefits. You can notify Kela of your move online or on form Y 77e, and apply for a Kela card once your municipality of residence is registered.

4. Sort your initial finances for life in Finland

During the initial landing phase, before your henkilötunnus is issued, your kotikunta is registered, and you have a traditional Finnish bank account, you'll still need to pay for rent, deposits, transport, and groceries.

This is the 'personal identity code catch-22': most traditional Finnish banks require a henkilötunnus and proof of address to open a full current account. The workaround is to set up a multi-currency account before you arrive, so you can spend and manage money in euros from day one. More on that later.

Cost of living in Finland vs the UK (2026 figures)

Finland is expensive, but high salaries and strong public services offset much of the cost. Here's how the major expenses compare:

Is Finland expensive to live in?

Yes, by European standards, but Helsinki rents are notably lower than London's, and public transport, healthcare, and education are heavily subsidised. Outside Helsinki, in Tampere, Turku, or Oulu, costs drop further. The biggest adjustment is the tax rate: Finland's top marginal rate is among the highest in Europe, though it funds the strong public services that make living in Finland appealing.

What about buying property in Finland?

Buying property as a foreign national is generally allowed, but if you're buying a detached house or a plot of land, you may need a permit from the Ministry of Defence. Apartments in multi-storey buildings don't require this permit. If you're moving to Finland from the UK and thinking long-term, it's worth getting advice from a local estate agent.

Managing your money when you immigrate to Finland

If you're regularly converting your pounds into euros, wide exchange markups can quietly eat into your money. The same goes for withdrawing euros abroad.

This is where having a smart setup pays off. With a Revolut account, you can convert between GBP and EUR at competitive rates, and spend from either balance using your Revolut card. If you need cash, you can use your Revolut card to withdraw euros from ATMs across Finland at competitive exchange rates with no fees from us during market hours and within your plan limits.¹

You can also send money to a Finnish account or someone back in the UK, and set up recurring transfers in-app to handle things like rent or pension payments without managing each one manually.

Tip: use Pockets in your Revolut app as separate spaces to store your spending. Allocate your relocation budget, your everyday spending, and your savings to their own Pockets, in both GBP and EUR. Hold euros ready for a deposit or a month's rent, keep pounds for financial commitments in the UK, and convert between them in-app whenever suits you.

Checklist for moving to Finland from the UK

Once you've decided to move to Finland, here's the practical sequence for your move.

6 months before moving

• Research your permit route and confirm you meet the salary or qualification threshold
• Start gathering documents (passport, employment contract, qualifications, and apostilled certificates if required)
• Start your application and pay the processing fee

3 months before moving

• Confirm your residence permit is in progress
• Research areas to live in, and shortlist a few, but don't sign a lease until you're in Finland
• Arrange travel and private health insurance to cover you from arrival until your Kela card is issued

1 month before moving

• Book your flights
• Set up your Revolut account and add a EUR balance so your money's ready before you fly
• Order a physical Revolut card (delivery fees may apply), and activate virtual cards for online booking

First month in Finland

• Secure a registered address (this is the trigger for your DVV registration)
• Register with the DVV to get your personal identity code (henkilötunnus) and municipality of residence (kotikunta)
• Apply for your tax card (verokortti)
• Notify Kela of your move and apply for a Kela card
• Open a Finnish bank account once you have your henkilötunnus

Before you leave, why not get a Revolut data eSIM? That way you have access to data from the moment you land, without having to worry about roaming charges from your UK provider.²

Set up a Revolut account to help you emigrate from the UK to Finland

If you're planning your move, getting your Revolut account set up early means your money's ready to go when you are. Here's how to get started:

1. Download the Revolut app: available on the App Store and Google Play. You'll need your UK phone number and a form of ID (passport or driving licence) to verify your identity.
2. Open a Personal account: follow the in-app steps to set up your account. Verification usually only takes a few minutes.
3. Add money in GBP: top up your account from another UK bank account or by card. You'll hold your balance in pounds to start with.
4. Add euros and start converting: open a EUR balance and convert between GBP and EUR at competitive exchange rates. You can schedule a currency exchange in advance or convert on the spot.
5. Order your Revolut card: get a physical card delivered to your UK address (delivery fees may apply), and a virtual card you can start using right away for online shopping or in-person via your Apple Pay or Google Pay.
6. Spend and withdraw in Finland: use your Revolut card to pay in euros in shops and restaurants, or withdraw cash from ATMs in Finland.
7. Use Pockets to budget: create separate spaces for your relocation fund, rent, and day-to-day spending, in either currency, to keep your move organised.
8. Send money internationally: make international transfers in-app to move money between your UK and Finnish accounts, or to send money to family back home.

16+, T&Cs apply. Exchange fees, fair-usage limits, and weekend fees may apply.

¹No ATM withdrawal fees within plan limits on a monthly basis. Out-of-network ATM withdrawals are subject to a 2% fee for Standard customers, and a 2% fee for Premium and Metal customers once their plan limits are exceeded. Third-party providers may charge a withdrawal fee. Currency and ATM fair-usage fees apply. Weekend markups on currency exchange will apply.

²18+, eSIM T&Cs and fees apply, subject to fair-usage policy. eSIM services are provided by 1Global. Revolut acts for 1Global, the service provider.

The information provided is accurate as of 1 September 2026.

The content of this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. If you have any questions about your personal circumstances, please seek professional and independent advice. Revolut is not a financial adviser.