Hello Going Expat people!
Today we talk aboout Finland, a country of which there is not much information even online, although there seem to be more and more people who move there, at least in Helsinki.
I have already had the pleasure of talking to two of them and find the videos on my You Tube account. Rahel who told us about her experience and how, thanks to a PhD, she finds herself living in Helsinki, while Chiara has been attracted to this country by a musical band.
Some useful links if you are moving to Finland
On the Enter Finland website, you can find all the information about the type of permit you need to work and stay in the country for more than 90 days. Or if you leave within 90 days but you are in the country for work. In fact Finland requires to everybody to get a work permit.
To make your request, you can directly access the site migri.fi where even with the help of an Application finder you will have the opportunity to request to register for the first time, extend your permit, visit Finland for 90 days etc… etc…
Once you receive the info you can make a physical appointment at the offices, it is advisable to act at least a couple of weeks in advance.
Registration is not free but costs €45 for European citizens. Non-European citizens will need to use a visa to enter the country.
Once you have gone to the municipal offices to sign the documents and have shown yours, mostly passports, employent contract or enrollment in the institution where you go to study etc… You will be given a security number to start your life in Finland. More info can be found on dvv.fi website or you can write to the mail international@dvv.fi
The Kela card is the Finnish health card and can be requested during the registration appointment. Once requested it takes 1 or 2 months before receiving it, and it gives access to the public health system.
If you have a contract of employment, the employer will pay for some of the basic private services, for example, work-related posture problems, physicians, therapy.
If you need a dentist, it is a different story. There is no coverage for it, so you pay the service when you make us of it. However, if you spend more than €50 on health care, you will be refunded the following year on your tax return.
The cost of living changes from city to city and even in Helsinki itself there are important differences. A studio appartment can cost from €700 to €2000 per month. A one bedroom apartment with, possibly, a small balcony costs around €1500 up to a maximum of around €3000 per month.
In nearby Espoo and Vantaa a one bedroom apartment costs between €800 and €1000 per month.
We must consider that at these prices you will need to add to the costs for the utilities and it is common that the apartment come unfurnished, so you have to cope with that expense too. The big problem is not finding a place to live, but the costs involved.
A site that Rahel suggested in the video, to find an apartment is Vuokraovi.
Transport works very well and it is clearly convenient to subscribe monthly. There are also subscriptions per area based on the commuting that everyone has to do, otherwise a 90-minute ticket costs around €2.80.
Be aware that the locals love cycling in winter!
The following video is my interview to Rahel. There are many info and details more
If you have any questions or comment, please contact me
Talk to you soon
Rossella
