In Finland, a person's permanent place of residence is determined by the information entered in the population register.
The basic personal data of all people living in Finland are entered in the Population Register Data System. Such data include name, date of birth, citizenship, family relations and address. Foreign nationals are required to report the same data as Finnish citizens if they stay in Finland for more than one year.
A domicile in Finland (municipality) is registered for an individual moving into Finland if he or she intends to stay here permanently or is issued with a residence permit for at least one year.
The register data is used for such purposes as elections, taxation, health care, judicial administration and statistics.
NOTE! Even after this initial registration, anyone moving from one location to another is required to file a change-of-address notification with the local registry office. Similarly, notification must be made when moving out of the country.
Nordic citizens
No residence permit is required of Nordic citizens. However, on moving to Finland they must file a change-of-address notification with the local registry office.
EU/EEA citizens
Under the freedom of movement statues, EU/EEA citizens are free to move from one country to another within the EEA.
Under Finnish law, EU/EEA citizens are required to report the same data as Finnish citizens if they stay in Finland for more than one year. A personal visit to the registry office is required for the registration of basic personal data. The following documents are required for registration: a certificate issued by the police verifying the registration of the right to reside in Finland and a passport, as well as a certificate of marriage and the children's birth certificates if the family members accompany the applicant to Finland.
Those from outside the EU
A foreigner who has been granted a residence permit for at least one year must personally present himself/herself at the local registry office for registration. Registration takes place at the local registry office by filling in and signing the Registration Form for Foreign Nationals. The following documents are required for registration: a residence permit issued by the Finnish authorities and a passport, as well as a certificate of marriage and the children's birth certificates if the family members accompany the applicant to Finland.
