Checklist for moving abroad 

1. Travel documents and safety

Police – Applying for a passport and identity card 

 https://poliisi.fi/en/passport

Ensure that your travel documents are valid. Apply for a new passport or an electronic identity card in the official online service.

Travel - Ministry for Foreign Affairs

https://um.fi/entering-finland-and-travelling-abroad

Always submit a travel notification before leaving Finland so that the authorities can contact you in the event of a crisis or emergency. The website contains a lot of useful information.

Ministry for Foreign Affairs – Finnish missions abroad 

Find the contact information for the Finnish embassy or consulate in your destination country. You can get official help and country-specific information there.

2. Social security and healthcare

Kela – Moving or working abroad 

https://www.kela.fi/web/en/leaving-finland

The most important website for clarifying your social security. Notify Kela of your move well in advance before departure.

European Health Insurance Card (Kela) 

https://www.kela.fi/web/en/european-health-insurance-card 

Order a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), with which you prove your right to necessary medical care in EU and EEA countries.

Travel health and vaccinations

https://www.who.int/travel-advice/vaccines

Check the vaccination recommendations and mandatory requirements for your destination well in advance. If needed, ask a healthcare professional for more information. 

Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) – Moving abroad 

https://dvv.fi/en/moving-abroad 

Make an official notification of move and read instructions on how moving affects the maintenance of your population data.

3. Taxation and unemployment security

Tax Administration – Working abroad 

https://www.vero.fi/en/individuals/tax-cards-and-tax-returns/moving_away_from_finland/overseas_work/

Check your tax liability before departure. If you work abroad for more than 6 months, your foreign-earned salary may be tax-exempt in Finland (the so-called six-month rule). Remember that you must always file a tax return to the Finnish Tax Administration.

The Federation of Unemployment Funds in Finland (TYJ) – Working abroad 

https://www.tyj.fi/en/if-you-become-unemployed/working-abroad-and-job-seeking-in-the-eu/ 

Find out how working abroad affects your Finnish unemployment security and whether foreign work accrues your employment condition.

4. Criminal record extract and certificates

Legal Register Centre – Criminal record extract for use abroad

Ordering an extract from the criminal records - Legal Register Centre

Order an official, multilingual criminal record extract. Many foreign employers and authorities require this before making an employment contract.