There are a few options open to expats living in Finland, when it comes to arranging finances. Some choose to maintain an existing account in their home country, which can be useful for things like paying recurring bills back home. Others choose to open an international account with their existing bank, which may eliminate or … Read more

Finland is an interesting country and the language is no exception, bearing no resemblance to the tongues of its European neighbours, with the possible exception of Estonia. How easy is it to learn Finnish – and will you need to? How widespread is the use of English throughout this country? We will answer some of … Read more

Renting property Word of mouth is a good way to find an apartment to rent in Finland. Alternatively, you could look for adverts in local newspapers, although you may need the help of a translator. If you have an area you would like to move to in mind, you could Google ‘vuokra-asunto’ (rental apartment) plus … Read more

Finland has a reputation as a modern, highly progressive country. Taxes might be high, but the standard of living, healthcare, and social benefits are commensurate. If you are thinking of working in Finland, then there are many advantages. We will take a look below at some of your best options.Although Finland is not itself an … Read more

Surprisingly, given the overall high standard of healthcare in Finland, dental care does not rank favourably. Only 53 percent of Finnish men over the age of 30 brush their teeth twice a day, compared with 80 percent of Finnish women.Several case studies show a less than stellar comparison when it comes to dental hygiene between … Read more

The Finnish love to keep active, so staying fit and healthy in Finland is not going to be a problem at all; in fact, you will be spoilt for choice. Whether you are a proficient athlete, a hobbyist hiker, or a complete newbie to the world of fitness, you will find something to suit your … Read more

Finland has consistently ranked within the top five countries in the world for maternity care over the last decade. This is largely due to the relatively low cost of hospital birth; the excellent standard of medical care; and the level of pre and post natal support.The maternal mortality rate in Finland is six times lower … Read more

Public healthcare in Finland is available to all who have resided in the country for a minimum period of four months, regardless of their financial situation. However, public healthcare in Finland is not technically free, although the charges are fairly reasonable in comparison to other countries, such as the United States. The public healthcare services … Read more

Medication in Finland is only available in pharmacies, including non-prescribed over-the-counter medication like painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. This is common in much of Europe, but different to the United Kingdom, for example, where over-the-counter medication can be found in many shops, and pharmacies are only required for prescription medications from your doctor.Pharmacies are … Read more

Sport is practically considered a national pastime in Finland, with many Finns participating in and visiting different sporting events regularly. There’s even a national initiative in Finland to get people to do more and sit less. A sports scientist from the University of Jyväskylä says it is a Nordic tradition to consider sports a social … Read more

Like many of the Nordic countries Finland maintains a strong healthcare system, funded through their National Health Insurance. Public healthcare is the responsibility of municipalities and is primarily funded by taxation and patient fees.Finnish social security is divided into residence-based social security and employment-based, earnings-related social security. Residence-based social security is financed by tax and … Read more

The quality of healthcare in Finland is generally of a high standard. It consistently ranks highly among European and Nordic countries, as well as in international ratings. Public healthcare services have greatly improved over the past few years. The country’s healthcare system has also been hailed as one of the most ‘value-for-money’ systems in the … Read more

Since 2002, Finland’s currency has been the euro. One and two-cent coins are rare in Finland, meaning it is common to find the amount rounded off to the nearest five cents. Goods and services are easily paid for using credit and debit cards.Towards the end of the 20th century, Finland was voted one of the … Read more

Helsinki is the capital city and most populous municipality in Finland, with a population of 644,788. Finnish and Swedish are the official languages, but English is also widely-spoken in the city.The land area of Helsinki is 213.75 km2. Helsinki is located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland and has 130 kilometres of coastline, … Read more

I’ll begin this article by sharing some facts about Finland, where I live. We’re a European country and a member of the European Union. We share land borders with three countries: Norway, Sweden, Russia. Thus, we are a Nordic country. In total, our population is 5.5 million and the majority of the population is concentrated … Read more

If you are planning to stay in Finland for longer than 90 days, you will need register your right of residence. This also applies if you are a citizen of the European Union or Liechtenstein. The application needs to be submitted within three months of you entering the country.The Finnish Immigration Service will allow employed … Read more

Helsinki, Finland’s capital, is rapidly gaining momentum as an expat destination. Increasing numbers of people from Europe and all over the world are considering moving to the city because of its high living standards, robust healthcare system, great quality of education, stable economy and rich, captivating culture. Many migrants who move here for business or … Read more

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Finland and some of the social media accounts you should be following if you’re thinking of moving there.International English Speakers in Finland (IESAF)Facebook Group … Read more

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Finland and some of the blogs that might be useful for expats there.Hey Helsinkihttps://heyhelsinkiblog.com/ After a dream job came up in Helsinki, New Zealander … Read more

The Nordic nation of Finland is the eighth largest country in Europe in terms of area, but also the most sparsely populated member of the European Union. Finland’s capital city, Helsinki, is a modern destination that remains rooted in its cultural history. Expats and visitors are often drawn to Helsinki’s cosmopolitan character with its sophisticated … Read more

When it comes to getting used to a new culture, humor is one of the trickiest things to figure out. You can explain customs and beliefs, but humor is hard to explain. Finland is a Nordic country in the north of Europe, with Sweden, Russia, Norway, and Estonia (beyond the Gulf of Finland) to its … Read more

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Finland and some of the bloggers who write about living there. Hey Helsinkihttps://heyhelsinki.wordpress.com After moving to Finland in 2014 with her husband and son, … Read more

Finland, the fifth largest country in Europe, is a place of spectacular beauty. Almost 68 percent of its area is covered in forests and there are nearly 187,000 lakes located across the country. Apart from the incredible natural beauty, there are other reasons why many expats choose to move to Finland. The Finnish government places … Read more

Finland is a treasure trove of unspoilt natural beauty, with its many forests and lakes. To the far north, you have the white nights, about ten weeks of summer throughout which the sun doesn’t set. In winter, this turns into about eight weeks of sunless days. There’s much to enjoy in Finland, from its medieval … Read more