Home » Guide to working life » Changes in life » Coming to Finland for work Last updated: 04.12.2024 Coming to Finland for work Are you coming to Finland to work in a service sector, such as tourism, restaurant or cleaning? Here’s some basic information and tips for you. Changes in life Looking for a new job? Pregnancy and employment Coming to Finland for work Going to study! New worker in services sector Unemployed? Starting at a new job Self-employment Retirement Labour laws and practices of working life differ between countries, and there’s a lot of practical things to consider and sort out when you move to a new country. Workers’ rights are equal for all Labour laws and collective agreements apply to all workers in Finland, regardless of citizenship. Everyone who works in Finland is free to join the trade union for their profession or field. In Finland, a majority of employees are union members. A trade union is a non-governmental organization made up of workers who aim to improve working conditions. Trade unions negotiate collective agreements that define minimum wages and terms of employment. Read more about trade unions in Finland The right to work in Finland If you are not a Finnish Citizen, you usually need a valid residence permit to work in Finland. There are different rules for EU-nationals and people from outside of the EU/EEA. Read more on residence permits and work EU/EEA-Citizens If you are a citizen of an EU Member State or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you are allowed to start working immediately after arriving in Finland. If you are staying in Finland for over three months at a time, you need to register your right of residence. Read more on Migri’s website Non-EU Citizens If you are a citizen in a country outside the EU/EEA and have been offered a job in Finland, then you need to apply for residence permit on the grounds of employment. The permit may restrict the sector in which you are allowed to work. Persons on a residence permit for studies may work in any sector, but only a limited number of hours. Read more about residence permits for work on Migri’s website Before you start working Here are some things to do before you start working. Get employment contract in writing You should always take time to read the contract and make sure you understand everything before you sign it. You have a right to get the contract in a language you understand. Are you a salaried employee or self-employed? Check if the contract is for employed work or for commission work as self-employed entrepreneur. The rights and obligations of employees and entrepreneurs are very different. Read more on definition of employee and entrepreneur Read up on workers’ rights and the rules of working life in Finland Laws and practices differ between countries, so get to know about working life in Finland. General information about working life and workers’ rights in 30 languages at www.fairplayatwork.fiYou find extensive information about terms of employment in service sectors in PAM’s guide to working life. Get personal identity code and tax card For the employer to pay you your wages you need a Finnish social security number, a tax card, and a bank account. You get a personal identity code when the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) awards you your residence permit. You can also apply for a personal identity code by going in person to a tax office that handles ID numbers. Take all the required documents with you, including valid passport, residence permit or registration certificate, and your employment contract. More information on tax administrations website In Finland, the employer deducts your income tax from your wages and pays it to the state every month. If you do not have a tax card detailing your projected earnings and tax rate, then the employer must withdraw 60 percent of your taxable income. Open a bank account You need a bank account, because wages are not paid in cash money. Bank accounts are opened in person at a bank office. You need a valid passport or official ID card. It’s easier to open an account if you have a Finnish personal identity code. Then you are also sure to get a debit card and online banking codes that allow you to identify yourself in various electronic services. Join the union In Finland, a majority of employees are union members. Unions negotiate collective agreements and pay rises for workers. Unions help their members in case of there are problems at work, for example if wages are not paid correctly, working hours are too long, or workers are dismissed unlawfully. Union membership also includes unemployment insurance. Read more about trade unions in Finland Watch out for exploitation Beware of these red flags that could indicate exploitation: No employment contract: Always get employment contract in writing. Too little pay: Check your payslip to make sure you were paid for all the hours you have worked, including supplements for evening and night work. Your employer should correct any mistakes without delay after you point them out. Deception or threats: Your employer is not allowed to deceive, harass or threaten you. Long days and little time off: In service sectors normal working hours for full-time work are 37,5 or 40 hours a week and on average two days off per week. If you sometimes work more, then you get extra pay for overtime or more leisure time later. Paying to get a job: It’s illegal for employers or job brokers to charge you for a job. Employer keeps your passport: Never give your passport to your employer. Wages paid in cash: You should always get your wages paid to your bank account and get a payslip detailing the payment. Excessive costs: Your employer should not make big deductions from your pay for housing, food, clothing or transportation etc. Where can I get help? Trade union: Trade unions help. If you are a member of Service Union United PAM, you can always contact us if you have any questions about terms of employment or problems with your employer. Discussions with PAM are confidential. Read more about PAM’s helpline and legal aid Regional State Administrative Agency (AVI): If your workplace poses a danger to the safety and health of workers or customers, you can contact the labour inspectors at the Regional State Administrative Agency. Read more about state enforcement of labour laws and reporting violations Victim Support Finland (RIKU): Possible victims of criminal labour exploitation can get advice from RIKU on how to proceed and what it might mean to report the case to the authorities. Contacts with RIKU are completely confidential. Read more See also Have you just started working in the service sector? Collective agreements Become a member You should join PAM if you work in the private service sector as a salesperson, cleaner, waiter, cook, security guard or caretaker, for example. We negotiate the terms and conditions of your job and help if you have problems in your employment. Read more and join What did you think of this content? Reaktio(Required) This was useful I really liked this content I did not understand This was not useful Comment (optional)
