Destination Finland

Are you looking for information on residence permits, visas, accommodation and/or information on Finland as a study destination? Find out more about these topics and other practical matters here.

Interested in studying in Finland? We hope to see you here at Arcada in the future!

There are a range of practical matters to tend to if you're planing on moving to Finland. This page contains a lot of information that might interest you in advance, especially if you are coming from abroad.

Please use the quick links on this page to navigate smoothly between the different sections.

Residence permits and visas

Information concerning residence permits and visas, who needs them and how to get them can be found at studyinfinland.fi . Note that applying for a residence permit can be a slow process. If you require a Finnish residence permit, you should start preparing your application immediately after receiving your acceptance letter in order to ensure that you'll be able to come to Finland before the start of your studies. Please read more about the residence permit application process here.

Questions regarding residence permits should always be addressed to the Finnish Immigration Service – Migri .

Income requirements

If you are an international student who need a student residence permit to enter Finland, please note that you will need to prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself while living here. Finnish immigration services require a minimum sum for entering the country to support yourself the first year. Find out more about Finnish Immigration Service's income requirements for students here.

Currently (November 2024) the requirement is that you must have 9 600 euros in your bank account when you submit the application. This is meant to be the minimum amount of money needed to cover living expenses (accommodation, food, transport etc.) for one year. Note however that Finland is an expensive country and this amount may not be enough to cover your actual expenses.

Please also note that bringing your funds to Finland in then form of bank drafts, cashier's cheques or similar is not advisable. Even if you do manage to find a bank that's willing to take your cheque, it will be a slow and expensive process to cash it.

Registration in the Finnish population system

All students staying in Finland for a longer period need to register in the Finnish population system (DVV) upon arrival. If you don't have a personal identity code (social security number) yet you will receive one after you've registered with DVV. Having a personal identity code is essential for things like opening a bank account or a phone/internet subscription, therefore you should register as soon as possible after having arrived in Finland. Please note that you need to have an address in Finland to register. Please read more about the registration and Finnish municipality of residence .

EU/Swiss citizens: Note that you need to register your right to be in Finland with Migri before you register with DVV. This doesn't apply to Nordic citizens. Read more about EU citizens' right of residence .

Insurance, healthcare and well-being

In Finland

The need for insurance and the access to health and medical care depends on your nationality and residence status. Private health insurance is mandatory for non-EU/EEA nationalities applying for a student residence permit in Finland. For EU/EEA nationalities, health insurance is not mandatory. Make sure you bring your blue European Health Insurance Card, it will give you access health care at the same cost and under the same conditions as people living permanently in Finland. Please read more about insurance and healthcare for students in Finland.

At Arcada

All students at Arcada are insured against accidents during practical lessons and training. For all other situations (e.g. theory lessons and travelling to and from Arcada) you will need to have your own accident insurance if you want to be insured.

All degree students in higher education in Finland, including Arcada's students, are entitled to use the services of the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS). Students who are entitled to use the services of FSHS must pay a healthcare fee to Kela. The fee is compulsory for all degree student enrolled at a university in Finland, i.e. you must pay the fee even if you are not in Finland. The fee is 36.80 euros per semester (2023). Additional information about student healthcare can be found at the Kela website and FSHS website .

In addition, Arcada offers easy access counselling. If you need help with your studies you can turn to our counselling team . If you are worried about your mental health you can contact our psychologist, study social worker, or student priest .

Accommodation

Student accommodation in Finland, and especially Helsinki, is in very high demand. We therefore recommend that you apply for an apartment as soon as you have been admitted as a student at Arcada. On our campus, you will find more than 600 student apartments, and as an Arcada student you are welcome to apply for long-term on-campus student accommodation at Majstranden . Note that you will be required to take out a home insurance if you don't already have one. The application is ongoing, but please note that there is a waiting list for the apartments.

HOAS – the Foundation for student housing in the Helsinki region has over 10 000 student apartments in the Helsinki region. As a student at Arcada you can also apply for housing from HOAS .

You can also check other options for accommodation in Helsinki.

Bank account

You will need a bank account in order to handle your finances in Finland but also because online banking credentials are used as identification for most online services in Finland. Your life will be considerably easier when you have online banking credentials, therefore it's important to open a bank account as soon as possible after coming to Finland. We recommend that you compare the services and prices of different banks to find the most advantageous option for you. Note that only the three major banks Danske , Nordea and OP have full service in English.

When you have decided on a bank, call their customer service to set up an appointment to open an account. Make sure you ask what documentation you need to bring. As a minimum you need to have registered with DVV first, but many banks also ask you to get an ID card from the police .

Student discounts

Student card: Arcada does not provide students with a student card but by joining the Arcada student union ASK you can get a student card app that entitles you to many different discounts.

Even if you choose not to become a member of Arcada's Student Union ASK you still have the right to receive a student discount on public transportation in the Helsinki region (HSL) and subsidised meals served at student restaurants.

Meal subsidy card: With the Kela Meal Subsidy Card, you are entitled to discounted student cafeteria meals. Get your card from Student Affairs . (Note, if you have a student card you can use that to get your discounted lunch instead of the Meal Subsidy Card.)

Public transport: As a full-time student living in Helsinki you have the right to a 40 % discount on HSL's monthly tickets . You can get the discount in the HSL app but for this to work you will need to have a Finnish identity number as well as Finnish online identification credentials (e.g. a Finnish online banking log-in). If you do not have this you get a form from Student Affairs that entitles you to get the discount on the HSL travel card instead.

To get a student discount on long-distance public transport such as VR Trains and Matkahoulto buses . you will need to have a student card app like the one you can get by becoming a member of ASK. There are also other options such as the Frank app which is free but requires online banking identification credentials for activation.

Telephone and internet

Getting a telephone/mobile internet subscription

When you buy a telephone subscription in Finland , you get a Finnish phone number and most telephone subscriptions also include unlimited use of mobile internet. Many companies sell telephone subscriptions. When you take out a telephone subscription, you must have a Finnish personal identity code and an address in Finland. Normally, you must also provide information on your payment behaviour, in other words, that you have paid your bills and that you do not have a payment default entry recorded in your credit history. Otherwise, you need to make an advance payment for the subscription.

Alternatively, you can buy a pre-paid SIM card. They are generally more expensive than a subscription, but you don't need a Finnish personal identity code or an address in Finland to get one. Pre-paid SIM card generally also give you the option of including internet for about 1€ per day. You can get a physical pre-paid SIM card at any convenience store (R-kioski). Pre-paid electronic eSIM subscriptions can be bought online directly from the phone companies.

Getting an internet connection

In Finland many matters can be dealt with over the internet. You can often attend to your matters with authorities or businesses via their websites. It is worthwhile getting an internet connection as soon as possible after moving to Finland.

You can acquire an internet connection in your home by making a contract with an internet service provider. It pays to compare prices before making a contract. There are various internet service providers in Finland. You can find such companies by searching online, for example by typing “nettiliittymä” in the search engine’s search field. Internet connection prices vary a lot.

In student housing an internet connection is often included in the rent, though it may be your own responsibility to get at wireless router or network cable to be able to use the internet connection.

You can also use the internet for free in public libraries if you have a library card. You can get a library card free of charge. More information about libraries can be found on InfoFinland . Many cafes also offer WiFi for their customers.

Working during full-time studies

If you're in Finland on a student visa you are allowed to work part-time during your studies . You are allowed to work up to 30 hours a week on average (i.e. you can work more some weeks and less other weeks as long as the average is 30 h/week or less) but please take into account that we expect you to attend classes and study full-time if you are in a full-time degree programme.

Living in Finland and Helsinki

Finland

Finland has a lot to offer international students: renowned high-quality education, general safety and a clean nature. Through the links below you will find more detailed information about Finland.

To learn more read the Newcomer's Guide (pdf) and visit thisisfinland.fi , visitfinland.com and infofinland.fi .

Helsinki

Arcada is situated in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. It is the largest city in a rather small country and is therefore both big enough to offer everything you might need, yet small enough to be accessible and feel welcoming. It is safe, has excellent public transportation and a full range of services, education and healthcare as well as culinary, leisure and social activities. Click on the links below to find out more.

Find out more about Helsinki at hel.fi , and myhelsinki.fi .