
Finland supports immigration policies, as they aim to promote the country among migrant workers. The Finnish job market offers attractive salaries and good conditions for living and working. If you live with your family and work in Finland, or if you’re considering doing so, this article will help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of living in Finland.
Entry to Finland
Citizens of the EU traveling to Finland have the right to enter freely by presenting one of the following documents: a passport, temporary passport, or identity card.
If the stay is shorter than three months, there is no need to register. However, if you plan to stay in Finland for more than three months, you need to report your stay to the Migration office (Migri) responsible for your place of residence.
Required documents when registering at the immigration office in Finland:
- Passport (or ID card)
- Certificate from the employer or employment contract, information about self-employment
- Rental agreement
- For students, a certificate from the university
After the application is processed, the individual receives a Finnish identification number, which allows them to handle most matters at government offices and access public healthcare. After visiting the employment office, you can expect support and assistance at each step of the registration process. The EU citizen residence card is valid for up to five years.
Remember, Finland is the winner of the 2024 World Happiness Report. Be sure to read the article: Top 10 – Ranking of the Best Countries to Live in Europe – Where is it worth emigrating to?
Working in Finland – Popular Sectors
Work for specialized employees / with knowledge of English / Finnish:
- Healthcare and medicine (doctor, dentist, nurse, care home worker) – There is a high demand for English-speaking medical staff in Finland.
- IT (programmers, system administrators, AI specialists) – Finland is one of the leaders in technological innovations.
- Engineers and technicians – Finland is home to many technological and industrial companies. Particularly sought-after specialists include software engineers, automation engineers, electronics specialists, and renewable energy engineers.
- Teachers and educators – If you have teaching experience and speak English fluently, Finland can be a good place to work. There is high demand for English, math, science, and special education teachers.
- Transport / logistics
- Financial sector jobs – Finland needs financial specialists such as financial analysts, investment advisors, and auditors. Well-paid positions are also available in banking and insurance.
- Research and development (R&D) – Finland invests in innovation and research, particularly in fields such as technology, biomedicine, and natural sciences.
Work without experience / without knowledge of a foreign language:
- Production and factory work
- Cleaning and janitorial services
- Construction work
- Repair work
- Warehouse and logistics jobs
- E-commerce and warehouse jobs (basic knowledge of English)
- Seasonal work in agriculture and forestry – Finland has vast rural areas where workers are needed for seasonal jobs such as fruit picking, vegetable harvesting, forest work, and animal husbandry. Seasonal work does not require extensive experience, and in some cases, employers offer accommodation and meals.
We recommend checking current job offers in Finland on local websites:
Salaries in Finland 2025
Unlike many European countries, Finland does not have a legally established minimum wage. Instead, minimum wages are set by collective agreements for each industry, covering most sectors of the economy. The average monthly salary is around 4000 EUR gross.
Below are some examples of average gross monthly salaries in various sectors/jobs:
Job/Industry | Average Gross Monthly Salary |
Construction worker | approx. 4100 EUR |
Welder | approx. 3950 EUR |
Electrician/Installer | approx. 3500 – 4000 EUR |
Cleaner | approx. 2500 EUR |
Warehouse worker | approx. 3100 EUR |
Hotel staff | approx. 3100 EUR |
Nurse | approx. 3100 – 4450 EUR |
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Taxes in Finland
Taxes in Finland in 2025 are relatively high, but in return, there is a comprehensive system of social welfare, healthcare, and public education. The Finnish tax system includes several categories, such as income tax, VAT, social security contributions, and wealth taxes. Importantly, Finland uses a progressive income tax system, meaning the tax rate depends on your earnings.
The tax scale for 2025 ranges from 12.64% to 44.25%. For those with average earnings, the tax rate is 30.25%. It rises to 44.25% for the highest earners.
Annual Income | Tax Rate |
0 – 21 200 EUR | 12,64 % |
21 200 – 31 500 | 19 % |
31 500 – 52 100 | 30,25 % |
52 100 – 88 200 EUR | 34 % |
88 200 – 150 000 EUR | 41,75 % |
over 150 000 EUR | 44,25 % |
Currently, the basic VAT rate has been increased by 1.5 percentage points to 25.5%.
Social Benefits in Finland
The Finnish social system offers support to low-income families. If you work legally in Finland, you can apply for almost all social benefits. Here is a list of social benefits in Finland:
Benefit Name | Description |
Maternity allowance (äitiysavustus) | Paid to mothers who visit the doctor before the end of the fifth week of pregnancy. Amount: 170 EUR. |
Maternity leave allowance (äitiysraha) | Available for women from 50 days up to 30 days before the birth of the child. This allowance lasts for 105 working days. |
Paternity allowance (isyysraha) | Paid to fathers from the birth of the child, lasting 54 days. |
Parental allowance (vanhempainraha) | Automatically granted after maternity leave. Paid for up to 6 months. |
Child allowance (lapsilisä) | Paid until the child reaches the age of 17. Amounts vary based on the number of children in the family.The first child – 110 EUR/month, the second – 120 EUR/month, the third – 150 EUR/month, the fourth and each subsequent child – 170 EUR/month.Furthermore, single mothers receive an additional 64.30 EUR per month for each of their children. |
Unemployment allowance (työttömät) | The amount and eligibility for benefits depend on the length of employment:Below 4 months: the employee is not covered by the social benefits system, but if the employer registers them and pays contributions, they can access healthcare and child benefits.4 months – 2 years: the employee can receive sick leave benefits, reimbursement of medical expenses, care allowances, or parental allowances. The person is also covered by unemployment social security.Permanent / temporary contract lasting at least 2 years: all of the above, including child sick leave benefits, maternity allowances, and housing benefits.The amount and eligibility depend on the period of employment. Basic unemployment benefit is approx. 37.21 EUR/day. |
Life in Finland – Costs
Just like in most countries, housing prices in Finland depend on location. For example, renting a studio apartment in Helsinki will be much more expensive than in smaller towns. The same goes for food prices and public transportation costs. The larger the city, the higher the salaries, but also the higher the living costs. In Finland, the average cost of living for a single person ranges from 1000 to 1500 EUR per month.
Below is an approximate monthly cost of living for one adult person:
Service | Price Range |
Rent for a studio apartment (+ 3-month deposit) | 800 -1000 EUR |
Utilities | 100-200 EUR |
Internet 60 Mb/s or more, Unlimited Data | 20-40 EUR |
Monthly public transport ticket | 72,10 EUR |
Mobile internet | 15-20 EUR |
1 liter of gasoline | 1,69 EUR – 951,68 EUR – Diesel |
Food Prices in Finland
The prices of food products depend on where you live. Below are approximate prices:
Product | Price |
Bread (1 loaf) | 2,4 EUR |
Tomatoes (1kg) | 4 EUR |
Chicken breast (1kg) | 12,95 EUR |
Water (1L) | 1,11 EUR |
Potatoes (1kg) | 1,28 EUR |
Cheese (1kg) | 8,21 EUR |
Eggs (10 pieces) | 2,66 EUR |
Milk | 1,20 EUR |
The most popular grocery stores in Finland include: Alepa, Alko, K-Citymarket, K-Market, Lidl
Living and Working in Finland – Advantages and Disadvantages
When deciding to move abroad for work, it is always worth considering the pros and cons. Here is a list of advantages and disadvantages of life in Finland:
Advantages
- High salaries – As in other Northern European countries, you can expect significantly higher wages compared to the rest of Europe.
- Social support – Social benefits in Finland are of a high standard. Benefits are also available for those legally employed and paying taxes.
- Less popular among migrant workers – People looking for better earnings usually choose to work in Germany, the Netherlands, or Sweden. Therefore, competition in the Finnish labor market is lower.
- Demand for foreign workers – The government’s policy is focused on helping migrants. Job offers are abundant, and every sector is open to hiring.
- Beautiful landscapes – Particularly admired by tourists in winter. Stunning Northern Lights.
Disadvantages
- Climate – Living in Finland means accepting the harsh climate and short summers.
- Prices – High salaries, but also high living costs.
- Language – While most Finns speak English, it is advisable to learn Finnish or Swedish for a longer stay.
- Employment contracts – Employers prefer verbal agreements. You must request a written version.
- People – The harsh climate has influenced the communication style of Finns. They are not very expressive and do not show much emotion, but over time, this distance fades.
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