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S t a t e Regu l a t i on s and I n s u r an ce s
3. State
Regulations and
Insurances
Here is a quick guide to the bureaucratic
procedures you need to know about depending
on the duration of your stay in Finland.
Remember that this is a guideline, if you
feel unsure or need more information about
the different procedures please contact the
authorities in question (which are mentioned
in the chapters). Also check the website of the
Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (
).
3.1 Residence Permits
Citizens of Nordic Countries
Citizens of Nordic countries do not need to
register their right to reside in Finland due to
inter-Nordic agreements, nor do they need to
provide proof of funding for their stay in Finland.
However, Nordic citizens who intend to stay in
Finland for more than six months have to inform
the local registration authority (
magistrate/
maistraatti
).
For the registration, a passport or other photo
identification is needed. More information about
the civil registration process is found in chapter
3.2.
Citizens of EU/EEA-countries and Switzerland
Citizens of EU/EEA-countries and Switzerland
must register their right to reside (
uppehållsrätt/
oleskeluoikeus
) in Finland if they intend to stay
longer than 3 months. You register at the local
police authority in Finland. A registration fee
of 47? will be charged at the police station.
This registration of your right to reside as a
student (
uppehållrätt för studerande/opiskelijan
oleskeluoikeus
) will thus be your equivalence of a
residence permit for students. For the registration
you will need:
.
A completed application form (can be
collected at the local police station)
.
A valid passport or other ID accepted by
the authorities
.
The acceptance or appointment letter
issued by the university
.
A copy of your lease
Please see end of chapter for contact information
to the Åbo and Vasa police stations.
Citizens from non-EU/EEA-countries
If your stay in Finland lasts for more than 3
months, a residence permit (
uppehållstillstånd/
oleskelulupa
) must be obtained from the Finnish
diplomatic mission in the student's or researcher's
home country before arrival to Finland. Generally,
the residence permit is valid for up to one year
and can be extended at the local police station
in Finland. An application for an extension of the
residence permit should be made well before the
current permit expires. It usually takes one to two
months to process the first application. However,
extension of the residence permit may take
longer.
Please note that you need to provide proof of
funding and proof of valid health insurance each
time you apply for a residence permit. See below
for further details on how to apply for a residence
permit.
How to Apply for a Residence Permit
The first application for a residence permit must
be made to the diplomatic mission representing
Finland in your home country. Along with the
completed application/registration form, the
following enclosures are needed:
.
A valid passport (or other officially
accepted travel document)
.
Certificate of registration with the Finnish
university/acceptance letter (visiting
scholars: other relevant proof showing
the reason for your stay) or employment
contract/certificate of employment if
employed
.
Proof of funds or scholarship to cover the
expenses in Finland
.
A valid health insurance for the entire
study period (only needed for students
from non-EU/EEA countries).
Residence permit applications can be submitted
