Planning a move to Finland? Well, there’s so much to anticipate! From vibrant city living to serene countryside vibes, Finland has something for everyone. Like many places, it has its quirky and delightful traits. Stick with me in this article as I share my experiences and guide you through everything you need to know for your journey to Finland. Without further ado, let’s dive in!
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Things To Know Before Going To Finland
Table of Contents
Ok, so before diving into how to move to Finland, there are some things I’d like you to know. They are:
1. It Is A Country Of Fresh Air
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Finland is home to the cleanest air in the world. Just like other Nordic countries, this country has brought its A-game when it comes to eco-friendly living.
Additionally, Finland has clean air because of environmental regulations, as their government invests more in renewable energy, protecting the forests and lakes, and promoting the adoption of electric vehicles.
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You Will Be Acquainted With The Sauna
I particularly love visiting the beautiful Saunas in Finland. When going to Finland you need to get prepared for an onslaught of sauna invitations. As part of their culture, traditionally the people socialize in the saunas regularly which goes back hundreds of years. Who knows, you can make lifelong friends there!
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It Is A Skier’s Paradise
Do you like Skiing? Then you are heading to paradise! You won’t only be spoiled with fluffy snow and perfect skiing conditions here but the ski season in Finland can last up to 6 months starting from October until May.
During the long days in March and April in Lapland, you can hit the slopes between 12 to 16 hours under the beaming sun.
Finland has close to 75 ski resorts to choose from, which is a high number for a country that has no mountains. Rather they are a lot of hills, that are covered with snow for about 200 days a year.
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It Is One of The Safest Country In The World
Finland is one of the safest countries in the world. It is a friendly country that ticks all the boxes if you are on the lookout for a safe place to settle down.
Even when you are thinking of going to the capital, Helsinki you can check for a relaxed environment where you will feel safe when walking alone in the city parks or making use of public transport regardless of the time you are moving.
In the year 2017, the country came out top on the global comparison of safety in countries and even now they still rank high in various polls and studies.
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Their Landscapes Are Breathtaking
The landscapes in Finland are breathtaking. The nature-packed country is scattered with amazing landscapes that will make you speechless all year round.
This country is home to 187,888 lakes which gives it the nickname the land of a thousand lakes. More than 70% of the country is covered with luscious foresty that is larger than the entire UK.
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Visa For Visiting Finland
Many people will prefer to have their vacation in Finland before making the migration decision. EU citizens can visit, live, and work in the country without the need for a visa or residence permit.
Also, if you have a Schengen visa from another country is enough for you to have a short-term tourism visit to Finland.
Some citizens of certain countries can visit Finland for 90 days without a visa.
People who don’t fall into the precious categories will have to apply for a visa or residence permit to be able to legally visit Finland.
Requirements For Moving To Finland
Everyone, except citizens of the EU/EEA or Switzerland, needs a visa and a residence permit to move to Finland. Things can get complicated if you go to Finland while you are originating outside the WU and you are a non-EU citizen.
There are diverse types of residence permit options and I will advise you to rely on official sources.
When Can I Apply For Finland Citizenship
You can apply for Finnish citizenship when you have lived for at least 5 years in Finland. You should have an intermediate proficiency level in any of the two official languages in Finland maybe in Swedish or Finnish language.
For those who are married to or in a registered partnership with a Finnish citizen for more than three years, the requirement for residence is reduced to four years. Finnish law allows dual citizenship.
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How To Get A Job In Finland
Thinking of how to get a job in Finland after moving? Follow these steps.
- Evaluate your existing skills and think about what you would like to do in Finland.
- Research if Finnish language skills are required in your place of work. If yes, then you will immigrate through an agency that includes language training. But in many technology jobs, English skills are required most.
- You can contact international companies that are looking for specialists in your field. So concentrate on those companies that need highly talented specialists and those that have skills.
- If a company offers you a job they will guide you through the immigration process.
- If you don’t have the required skills yet then consider studying in the country or you can immigrate through a family-related route.
If you are living in Finland and you have the right to work, getting a new job is easier than applying outside the country.
You can easily check the government’s public employment and business services to look for suitable positions of your choice.
The process of seeking a job includes normally one or more job interviews and there is a trial period of 4 to 6 months.