Finland is one destination that may not be a top priority to some but those who have experienced the exciting work environment, serene nature and unmatched social services know it as a gem. A Nordic country sitting on the northern side of Europe, Finland is one of the countries in Europe that has no membership to NATO and greatly at alarmed by the Russia-Ukraine war since it shares a border with Russia. It has a variety of natural features with 75 percent of it being covered by the forest. The largest lake district in Europe is found in Finland and it’s the biggest archipelago in the world. Whether you have plans of moving to Finland permanently or just for a short time, it could be a fantastic experience you can never forget.
Getting to a place for the first time can bring mixed feelings. Finland is the most amazing place you can ever live since the people there are ranked the happiest in the world. Furthermore, research suggests that they are also honest people. For instance, 99% of lost wallets are returned to the rightful owners. This kind of honesty is worth emulating.
Things to consider before moving to Finland
With the fear associated with new beginnings, you might wonder how the whole experience of moving to Finland can be. Having a hint of where you are going can be of great help. Before visiting Finland, ensure you are well informed about the perfect time and season to move. You will therefore know what to pack and what not.
The Weather you will Experience after Moving to Finland
Although Finland has a relatively warm summer, the winters may get snowy within no time. It can be very disappointing moving there during winter in summer gear. Winters are quite boring because everything becomes inactive the nights are shorter than the days. You won’t do much when you travel on the odd days.
Education
Furthermore, as an expat, you need to know about the education system and the languages used in Finland. Education is free from primary to university. However, in public schools the language of instruction is Finnish. The good thing is that you don’t have to worry about school fees irrespective of your background.
Finland has the world’s best education system. Thus, you are sure about getting a good degree if you study there. When you come to languages, Finland is a bilingual state. While people use Finnish as their native language, Swedish is also taught in primary schools. However, do not mind communication barriers because English is also widely used in social places.
Currency Exchange
If you’re coming from a European country, currency exchange should not bother you. Finland uses Euros just like other European states. Besides, the good thing is that most places accept card payments. Having a traveling card or an international credit or debit card such as MasterCard can be of great help. You can also withdraw cash from ATMs using cards without paying currency conversion fees.
Finnish Lifestyle
Another thing you should be aware of is the expensive Finnish lifestyle. You have to save properly in order to survive your trip or else you might run bankrupt. Everything is steep from food, drinks, energy services, and even transport. The hiked taxes due to the Funding of the lavish state welfare is the reason behind the exorbitant prices.
The personality of the Finns
Last but not least, you should be aware of the personality of the Finns. Finland was just recently urbanized. As a result, people value nature more than anything else. Still, a better part of it is forested in addition to the thousands of lakes available. You will realize that most Finns are shy at first but with time they’ll get along and interact. It is their culture to treasure their private space and vice versa.
How You Can Move to Finland
Getting to Finland is not hard provided you have the resources to facilitate you. Their major airline is Finnair. You can book a flight through their website, and fly directly from many countries. Their major airport is Vantaa located in Helsinki which is the capital city. You can also use other airlines Operating directly like Norwegian and British Airways.
Moreover, train services are also available to more than 30 countries within Europe. The two railways available are Eurail and Interrail. Global and regional passes are required for you to travel using the train services. If you meet the criteria, put in place, you can enjoy unlimited trains to Finland.
In addition, cruising to Finland is another magical mode of getting there. Being the biggest archipelago, Finland has a variety of ferry services that can let you in. These services will enable you to drive into Finland or enjoy a boat ride into the numerous fishing villages. The local and international ferry lines such as the Viking line sail from Finland’s several ports to other Scandinavian countries.
What to do Immediately After Moving to Finland
Settling in Finland as a non-European citizen can be a tiresome procedure. Europeans can move to Finland freely, there is not a lot of paperwork needed. However, some European citizens can enjoy certain advantages compared to others.
When you get to Finland from other countries in Europe you only provide identification proof and a sighed work contract. Nevertheless, non-EU citizens have the extra task of visiting the immigration office on arrival. They need to prove their residential permit before settling. The residential permit is applied for before the visit.
You’ll further do your local registration by presenting your notification of the move. The registration is done within one week of arrival at a local post office. The non-EU citizen must attach a marriage or birth certificate if they moved in with family.
According to the law of Finland, it is mandatory for employees to pay income tax. You can apply for a tax card which is issued at the tax office. Working minus a tax card can be very costly. You can avoid it by acquiring one. Opening a bank Account can be the next wise move. Most employers pay salaries through bank accounts. As soon as you start working find out which bank is ideal for you and open an account.
Through the Finnish social insurance institution, you can be entitled to social security benefits. Children’s welfare, national pension, health, and Parenthood allowance are among the social security services provided. House and other utilities are also taken care of by offering an allowance to employees.