Self-employment / Freelance in Finland
One documented route of this kind in Finland, with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
Residence permit for an entrepreneur (self-employed)
Self-employed persons running a profitable business in Finland can obtain an entrepreneur residence permit, usually after registering the business and obtaining a Business ID.
- Processing time
- Typically several months.
- Validity
- Usually 1 year initially.
- Language requirement
- No language requirement for the permit; required later for citizenship.
- Permanent residence
- Permanent residence generally after 4 years of continuous residence.
- Citizenship
- Naturalisation generally after 5 years (with language skills) or 8 years.
Requirements
- Own a registered business with a Finnish Business ID
- Profitable business activity
- Means of support secured by business income
- Valid passport
Required Documents
- Business ID and Trade Register extract required
- Business plan and financial statements / projections required
- Evidence of secured means of support required
- Valid passport required
Official fees
- Online application fee (entrepreneur) 490 EUR
Process Steps
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1
Register the business
Enter the business in the Trade Register and obtain a Business ID.
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2
Prepare documentation
Compile business plan, financials and proof of support.
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3
Apply in Enter Finland
Submit the entrepreneur residence permit application and pay the fee.
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4
Identity verification
Prove identity at a Finnish mission or Migri service point.
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5
Receive decision
Migri assesses profitability and issues the decision.