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Moving to Finland from the UK

Living Costs, Immigration Requirements and Lifestyle

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Are you considering relocating to Finland? Having consistently ranked as the happiest in the world, Finland is an excellent choice for those who love the outdoors, camping, and a quality life. This ultimate guide on moving to Finland includes costs, the best removal companies, the pros and cons of living in Finland, and a moving checklist.

Costs of Moving to Finland

The average cost of moving to Finland from the UK ranges from £1,500 to £6,500. The final price depends on the distance, volume, container type, and additional services.

The moving costs to Finland usually include customs clearance and door-to-door delivery, but it’s always good to check what your removal company offers. To save money, you can use shared containers and opt for sea freight instead of air freight.

Here’s the estimated moving cost from Finland to the UK.

VolumeAverage cost
One-bedroom£1,500 – £3,500
Three-bedroom house£3,000 – £6,500

Moving to Finland from the UK after Brexit? Estimate your price!

Estimate Price of Moving to Finland

International Moving Companies From Finland to the UK

Internal moving services from the UK to Finland bring your belongings safely and securely to their destination. When looking for international moving companies to Finland, look at the reviews and their experience in overseas shipping.

Top 5 international moving companies to Finland

1. Mercia Movers & Storers

2. Deliver1

3. JCL Removals

4. Sherpr

5. European Removal Services

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Moving a Pet to Finland From the UK

When moving your pet from Finland to the UK, here are the key steps to comply with.

  • Microchip your pet with a microchip
  • After the chip, get a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before entering Finland
  • Get an EU pet passport
  • Book a pet-friendly airline
  • Transport your pet in an IATA-compliant travel crate
  • Declare your pet at the Finnish customs

Finland Work Visa Requirements

Many British expats wonder whether a UK citizen can move to Finland after Brexit, and the answer is yes!

The Finland visa requirements are straightforward if you’ve secured a job, want to start a business in Finland, move to study, or join family members. There are visas for seasonal workers in agriculture or tourism. Read on to learn about the immigration of Finland.

Obtaining a Finland Work Visa

Getting a Finland visa from the UK involves applying for a Finland residence permit through the EnterFinland portal or with paper forms at the Finnish embassy. The permit depends on the purpose of your stay (work, study, or family reasons).

If you find a job in Finland, you’ll need a job contract, sufficient financial resources, and meet sector-specific requirements to obtain a Finland work visa. After applying, you’ll provide biometric data at a Finnish consulate or embassy in the UK​.​

Does Finland Allow Dual Citizenship?

Finland allows dual citizenship. You can maintain your British citizenship while holding Finnish citizenship if you meet the naturalisation criteria. This includes living in Finland for a set period (usually five years) and demonstrating language proficiency.

Costs of Living in Finland

While the country offers great living and nature in abundance, Finland’s living expenses are known to be high. Let’s look at the costs of living in Finland, so you know what to expect.

Cost of Living in Finland vs the UK

Is it expensive to live in Finland, is an often asked question. The answer is yes and no. While Finland is known to be expensive, you’ll save money coming from the UK. As a renter, you would need around £4,292.70 in Helsinki to have the same life in London with £6,700.

Let’s compare the cost of living in Helsinki, Finland to London, UK for various expenses.

ItemHelsinki, FinlandLondon, UK
Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant)£13.40£20.00
Pint of Beer£6.70£6.50
Regular Cappuccino£3.73£3.72
Single Transport Ticket£2.47£2.75
Monthly Rent (1-bed, City Centre)£877.69£2,145.00
Monthly Rent (1-bed, Outside Centre)£684.04£1,595.46
Average Monthly Net Salary£2,328.66£3,470.51

Source: Numbeo

Property to Buy in Finland

British citizens living in Finland can buy property without restrictions, although they need a legal residency post-Brexit. Buying property in Finland includes price negotiations, signing a preliminary agreement signing, and paying a 4-10% deposit.

Property buyers also pay a transfer tax (2% for flats or 4% for properties) and register ownership with the National Land Survey of Finland. British nationals can have stricter mortgage requirements.

Moving to Finland Pros and Cons

Amazing nature, healthcare, and great living? Check. But like any other place, there are also downsides to this cold northern country. Let’s look at the pros and cons of living in Finland.

Pros

 Voted happiest country seven times in a row
 World’s cleanest air
 Safest countries in the world
 Great maternity leave and family benefits
 Free or discounted healthcare
 Modern education with equal opportunities
 Northern Lights roughly 200 nights a year
 Walk and camp anywhere in nature (“Everyman’s Right”)

Cons

 Finnish language is hard to learn
Winter days are cold with short daylight hours
 Average tax rate of 38.7%
 Highly competitive job market
 Many remote areas (costly air travel)
 High alcohol prices
 Speeding tickets based on salary

Facts About Finland and Finnish Life

To prepare for your new Finnish life, let’s answer some often-asked questions about Finland.

What Is Finland Known For?

Finland is known for its stunning natural landscapes with thousands of lakes, forests, and the famous Northern Lights. Finland is also known for its happy citizens, high quality of living, thinking-forward education system, saunas, and being the home of Santa Claus in Lapland​.

What Is Someone From Finland Called?

Someone from Finland is called a Finn.

What Is the Language of Finland?

Finland has two official languages: Finnish and Swedish. Most people speak Finnish and an estimated 70% of the population speaks English too.

Time Difference Between the UK and Finland

Finland is usually two hours ahead of the UK. The time difference is +2 hours during UK winter (GMT), and +3 hours during British Summer Time (BST)​.

Moving to Finland Checklist

How can I move to Finland? Easy, follow these steps, and set yourself up for success.

  1. Research visa requirements and if needed, find a job with a Finnish company
  2. Apply for a job, study, or family-based residence permit via EnterFinland
  3. Hire an international moving company to Finland
  4. Inform the UK authorities for tax purposes and social security
  5. Collect important documents (passport, (birth) certificates) and make sure they’re valid
  6. Find a new (temporary) home in Finland
  7. Register at your local Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) to get a personal identity code
  8. Open a Finnish bank account
  9. Set up healthcare (via Kela) and social security.

Frequently asked questions

Is Finland Safe?

Is Finland Expensive?

How Easy Is It to Move to Finland From the UK?

How Far Is Finland From the UK?