Under Finnish legislation there are multiple concepts of residence. In terms of social security, the most important are residence as referred to in the Residence Act, and residence as defined in the Act on Residence-Based Social Security in Cross-Border Situations.

Rights of those living in Finland

People living permanently in Finland have the right to social and healthcare services organised by the wellbeing services counties, and social security benefits paid by Kela. According to the Residence Act, a person's home municipality is the one in which he or she resides.

If a person uses more than one home or does not have a home, their home municipality is the municipality they regard to be their home municipality, for example due to family relations or income, and to which they have fixed connections on the basis of the previously mentioned points. If a person's own view of their home municipality cannot be established, their home municipality is defined as the municipality to which they are deemed to have the firmest connections. A person's home municipality and place of residence there are entered into the population register system.

A person is subject to residence-based social security legislation if they have a permanent place of residence and home in Finland and principally reside in Finland on a continuous basis. Kela makes the decisions regarding a person's residence in Finland.

Foreigners' residence in Finland

The home municipality of those who have come to Finland is determined on the same basis as it is for other people if they live in Finland and intend to live here permanently.

A home municipality is registered for those who have moved to Finland permanently, and they will receive a Finnish personal identity code.

EU citizens who intend to stay in Finland for more than three months must register their residence with the police. After this they can register their place of residence with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. They will need to bring:

• their passport or official photographic identity card
• Certificate of registration of an EU national's right of residence (available from your local police station).

A person moving to Finland is covered by the social security system if, taking into account the circumstances as a whole, they are regarded as having moved to Finland permanently. This can be demonstrated with, for example, a contract of employment, family membership with a person living permanently in Finland, or other ties to Finland.

How do I claim residence-based benefits?

A municipality's residents have the right to use the social and healthcare services organised by the wellbeing services county. You can access these services by contacting the wellbeing services county’s authorities. Residence-based social security benefits, such as child benefit and reimbursements for the cost of medical treatment, can be applied for from Kela.

Jargon busters

Residence-based social security: residence-based social security refers in particular to social security implemented by Kela, including child benefit, national pension, and national health insurance, and rehabilitation and disability benefits. A basis for receiving these benefits is that the person is regarded as living in Finland. Furthermore, public social and healthcare services are based on residence in a municipality.

Necessary forms

• Notifications of moves can be made at Digital and Population Data Services Agency
• Social security managed by Kela can be applied for using Kela's e-services or using paper forms. More information about applying: https://www.kela.fi/from-other-countries-to-finland

Know your rights

The Commission's publication and website:

http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=849&langId=fi

Who should I contact?

Digital and Population Data Services Agency: https://dvv.fi/en/moving

Kela: https://www.kela.fi/from-other-countries-to-finland-quick-guide