Finland
Finland is included in the list of the most prosperous countries in the world.
About Country
Continent | Europe |
Capital | Helsinki |
Population | 5,540,720 |
World share | 0.1 % |
Land area | 303,890 km² |
Official Languages | - Finnish |
Unofficial Languages | - Russian |
Currency | EUR |
Economy rating | 41 |
Economy GDP | 300,484 millions USD |
ВВП на человека | 54,232 USD |
Democracy Index
9.2
Full
democracy
*
|
Crime Rate |
1.6 |
Safe zone |
Unemployment |
8.4 % |
Normal unemployment |
*
|
Average salary |
4,142 USD |
|
Average expense |
987 USD |
|
Average rent price |
821 USD |
Immigration
Immigration difficulty |
Normal |
|
Recommended Savings |
10,849 USD |
Double citizenship |
Allowed |
Official site |
Immigration official website |
Compulsory exams |
Finnish or Swedish (B1+) |
|
Passport rating |
4 Amount of countries: 189 |
Immigration options
| Immigration type | Required Time | Fee |
| Business | from 2 to 4 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) | 35 USD |
| Employee | from 2 to 4 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) | 35 USD |
| Student | from 2 to 4 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) | 35 USD |
| Marriage | from 2 to 4 weeks (paperwork) 4 years (for citizenship) | 35 USD |
| Family reunification | from 2 to 4 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) | 35 USD |
| Origin | from 2 to 4 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) | 35 USD |
| Refugee | from 2 to 4 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) | 35 USD |
Business
| Immigration fee | Immigration Time |
| 35 USD | from 2 to 4 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) |
List of documents:
- Completed application form;- International passport;
- 2 color photos;
- Receipt of payment of the fee;
- General civil passport;
- Medical insurance;
- Certificate of no criminal record;
- Financial documents: bank statement with bank seal;
- Booking of air tickets;
- Confirmation of hotel reservation;
- A copy of the OGRNIP certificate;
- A copy of the TIN certificate.
Additional Information:
When carrying out business or investment activities, you have the right to obtain a residence permit in Finland.This category includes:
- individual entrepreneurs, remote workers
- founders of commercial firms
- owners of commercial real estate
- professional investors.
Employee
| Immigration fee | Immigration Time |
| 35 USD | from 2 to 4 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) |
List of documents:
- Completed application form;- International passport;
- 2 color photos;
- Receipt of payment of the fee;
- General civil passport;
- Medical insurance;
- Certificate of no criminal record;
- Financial documents: bank statement with bank seal;
- Booking of air tickets;
- Confirmation of hotel reservation;
- An invitation from a Finnish employer.
Additional Information:
When concluding an employment contract with a Finnish employer, you are issued a residence permit.But we must remember that foreigners have the right to work in Finland only in certain industries.
Student
| Immigration fee | Immigration Time |
| 35 USD | from 2 to 4 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) |
List of documents:
- Completed questionnaire;- International passport;
- 2 color photos;
- Receipt of payment of the fee;
- General civil passport;
- Medical insurance;
- Certificate of no criminal record;
- Financial documents: bank statement with bank seal;
- Booking of air tickets;
- Confirmation of hotel reservation;
- An invitation from a Finnish educational institution, which confirms the fact of enrollment in the university / passing entrance exams, etc.
Additional Information:
It is possible to move to Finland and apply for a residence permit if you receive a higher or vocational education. It is also possible to move to study at a high school, college, participate in a student exchange.Marriage
| Immigration fee | Immigration Time |
| 35 USD | from 2 to 4 weeks (paperwork) 4 years (for citizenship) |
List of documents:
- Completed questionnaire;- International passport;
- 2 color photos;
- Receipt of payment of the fee;
- General civil passport;
- Medical insurance;
- Certificate of no criminal record;
- Financial documents: bank statement with bank seal;
- Booking of air tickets;
- Confirmation of hotel reservation;
- Certificate of income and marital status of the host party;
- Certificate of absence of obstacles to marriage;
- Confirmation of financial security from the receiving party;
- Evidence of the seriousness of the relationship between the bride and groom.
Additional Information:
You can get a residence permit in Finland when you marry a citizen of the country.Everything is quite simple, but it will be necessary to prove the seriousness of your intentions and the availability of financial means of livelihood for your partner.
Family reunification
| Immigration fee | Immigration Time |
| 35 USD | from 2 to 4 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) |
List of documents:
- Completed questionnaire;- International passport;
- 2 color photos;
- Receipt of payment of the fee;
- General civil passport;
- Medical insurance;
- Certificate of no criminal record;
- Financial documents: bank statement with bank seal;
- Booking of air tickets;
- Confirmation of hotel reservation;
- Documents confirming family ties
- Confirmation of financial security from the receiving party.
Additional Information:
You can apply for a residence permit if you have close relatives in Finland.Close relatives include a spouse, minor children, a registered partner, a civil spouse and the parents of a minor child.
Origin
| Immigration fee | Immigration Time |
| 35 USD | from 2 to 4 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) |
List of documents:
- Completed questionnaire;- International passport;
- 2 color photos;
- Receipt of payment of the fee;
- General civil passport;
- Medical insurance;
- Certificate of no criminal record;
- Financial documents: bank statement with bank seal;
- Booking of air tickets;
- Confirmation of hotel reservation;
- Documents confirming the presence of Finnish roots.
Additional Information:
You can apply for a residence permit if you prove that you have Finnish roots or close ties with Finland.After that, you will be issued a residence permit.
Refugee
| Immigration fee | Immigration Time |
| 35 USD | from 2 to 4 weeks (paperwork) 5 years (for citizenship) |
List of documents:
- Identity document;- 2 color photos;
- Fill out an application with the police on arrival
Additional Information:
You can apply for a Finnish residence permit as a refugee. To do this, you will need to prove the fact of harassment in your country on any basis: race, gender, nationality, religion, political views, social status.Taxes
The main taxes in Finland are: taxation of individuals, income tax, withholding tax, VAT, social contributions, municipal property tax, property transfer tax, inheritance tax and donation of property.Taxation of individuals
Tax residents pay tax on their worldwide income, non–residents pay tax on income from sources in Finland.
Bids:
- income up to 19,200 EUR – 0%;
- income from 19,200 to 28,700 EUR – 6%;
- income from 28,700 to 47,300 EUR – 17.25%;
- income from 47,300 to 82,900 EUR – 21.25%;
- income over 82,900 EUR – 31.25%.
Income from capital gains /investments is taxed at a rate of 30%, and in excess of 30,000 EUR – 34%.
Income tax
Income tax is paid on the global income of the company. The tax rate is 20%. However, there are benefits for substantial participation.
Income tax at the source of payment
Dividends and royalties are taxed at the source of payment to companies at a rate of 20%. When payments are made to individuals, the tax is withheld at the rate of 30%. There are various exemptions and withholding taxes.
VAT
The standard VAT rate is 24%. Reduced rates of 14% and 10% are applied to some goods and services.
Social contributions
The employer pays mandatory social contributions to the health insurance fund at the rate of 1.34%, the pension insurance fund – 14.35%, unemployment insurance – 0.45%.
And employees pay contributions to the health insurance fund at a rate of 2.04%, the pension insurance fund – 7.15% or 8.65%, depending on the age of the employee, unemployment insurance – 1.4%.
Municipal property tax
The annual property tax is set at the municipal level. The tax rates range from 0.41% to 2%.
Property transfer tax
The tax is paid at a rate of 4% of the transaction price when transferring real estate in Finland. There are exceptions.
Inheritance and gift tax
The tax is levied on the market value of the inherited property or the object of donation. The tax rates depend on the degree of kinship of the parties and on the value of the property. The tax scale is progressive.
Education
In Finland, the education system consists of 4 main stages: preschool, school, secondary and higher education. There are public institutions, private and family.Preschool education
Kindergartens accept children from the age of 9 months to 7-8 years. Any preschool education in Finland is paid. Parents themselves choose where to send their child – to a municipal, private or family kindergarten. The payment is the same everywhere and depends on the income of the family, but the minimum amount is 27 euros per month.
School education
School education in Finland is divided into 2 stages: junior and senior. The junior stage lasts 6 years, and the senior stage lasts 3 years. That is, in general, children study for 9 years, but if they wish, they can extend their studies for another 1 year. After graduation, the student can continue to study in secondary and higher institutions or go to work.
Secondary education
After graduation, children enter a lyceum or gymnasium. Students with low scores go to the gymnasium, but those who studied well get into the lyceum. The study can last from a year to 4 years, it will depend on the chosen direction. Secondary education is free.
Higher education
There are universities and professional training institutions in Finland. Education at the university lasts about 3 years, you can get bachelor's, master's, licentiate or Doctor of Sciences degrees. And in professional educational institutions, training lasts from 3 to 4 years and only a bachelor's degree is awarded.
Basically, all training is free, but you have to pay for your accommodation, meals and educational materials.
Healthcare
Finland's healthcare system is among the most well-organized and efficient healthcare systems in the European Union.There is a KELA compulsory health insurance policy, which every citizen of the country has. This policy is subsidized by the state, municipalities, employers and taxpayers. Most of the medical expenses are paid for by: state subsidies, the sale of medical services, contributions from charitable foundations. KELA partially covers the costs of private doctors, medicines and medical transportation.
Medical care in Finland is divided into three types:
- basic medical care
- special medical services
- private medical care.
Basic medical care in Finland
Basic medical care is available to absolutely all categories of citizens of the country, there are no exceptions. Assistance is provided in the departments of the polyclinic at the place of residence.
Specialized medical care in Finland
Specialized medical care includes the help of specialist doctors: an ophthalmologist, an otolaryngologist, an orthopedist, etc., as well as therapeutic and surgical treatment in hospitals. Such assistance is provided in the main medical institution, which is available in every hospital district of the country. Emergency departments also refer to specialized care.
Private medical care
Private medical care includes private clinics, dental and physiotherapy offices, offices of private practitioners. In the country, private medical care does not replace basic and specialized, but only complements them. The cost of private medical care in Finland is high. An initial consultation can amount to 50-200 euros, a blood test – 35 euros, an ECG – 200 euros, an MRI - 500-1500 euros, removal of a malignant tumor - 12,000 euros, childbirth from 7,000 to 9,000 euros. But prices may vary depending on the selected clinic.
All medicines in Finland are allowed to be sold exclusively in pharmacies.
The country's healthcare system is effectively organized and the allocated funds are used rationally due to low costs and high quality of medical care.
Climate
Climate type |
- Temperate climates
|
Climate Information |
Сlimate in different countries |
On the territory of Finland, the climate is subarctic, transitional from marine to continental, and in the north of the country it is continental.
In Finland, winters are quite long, snowy and cold. Spring and autumn are cool, as well as summer. The coldest and frosty month is February, but the warmest is July. The average temperature in the south of the country in winter is 7C Celsius, but in the north it can reach up to -30C. In summer, the average temperature in the south is +20C, and in the northern part about +15C. In general, the climate in the south of Finland is comfortable to live in, but in the north it is quite harsh, especially in winter. On rare days, the temperature can drop to -40C, and the snow cover reaches three meters.
Throughout the year, mainly westerly winds blow here. Cyclones are also very frequent, so precipitation falls almost all year round. The amount of precipitation in Finland varies greatly from region to region. The largest amount of precipitation falls in July - 78 mm . And the least amount of precipitation in March is in Lapland and on the coast of Ostrobothnia, about 35 mm.
Most of Finland is located in the lowlands, but in the northeast you can find quite high mountains, their height can reach more than 1000 meters. The highest point of the country is the slope of Mount Halti. The height is 1324 m . The slope is located in the western part of Finnish Lapland on the border with Norway, on the territory of the Finnish community of Enonteke and the Norwegian communes of Kofjord and Nurreisa.
There are about 190,000 lakes in Finland, covering 9% of its area. The number of rivers in Finland reaches 2000. As of June 2015, there are 39 national parks in the country.
Finland belongs to the countries with the best state of the environment.