Top tips every foreign worker needs to know in Finland

Perttu Rytsölä

1. Employment contract and conditions, unemployment benefits

Always make a written employment contract and ensure that your salary, working hours, and other conditions follow the applicable collective agreement (TES). Working life in Finland is based on collective agreements, which set the minimum levels for wages, holidays, and other benefits. Join an unemployment fund (kassa). After working for six months, if you become unemployed, you can receive earnings-related unemployment benefits based on your previous salary – up to 60 per cent of your wage for up to 400 days. Unemployment funds also offer guidance and various courses.

2. About taxation

You need a tax card to work in Finland. You can get it from the Tax Administration (www.vero.fi/en). Without a tax card, your employer will withhold 60 per cent of your salary as tax. The tax percentage depends on your income and municipality of residence. The Finnish Tax Office offers excellent customer service. If anything is unclear, don’t hesitate to contact them online – you will get a comprehensive answer.

3. Work culture

Workplaces in Finland have a very flat hierarchy. It is completely normal for managers to casually interact with employees at all levels of the company. If you're asked to perform a task that you think doesn't make sense, don't be afraid to give direct feedback – constructive criticism is valued. Finns are very protective of their free time. When the workday ends, you are under no obligation to hang around at the workplace. A common saying from classical Finnish war time novel "The Unknown Soldiers" sums up the work culture well: “We get the job done, otherwise we’re like Ellu’s chickens” – meaning work is taken quite seriously, but outside of that, freetime is also taken seriously, and people are relaxed and informal. Workplaces typically organize parties a couple of times a year. Be prepared for the fact that alcohol is often consumed in large quantities, which can lead to some side effects or unexpected behaviour.

4. If you get into trouble

Trust the authorities. If you face problems, explain your situation openly – you will receive a professional and fair response. While abuse of authority can happen in any country, it is rare in Finland. The Legal Aid Office offers free legal advice, and depending on your income, also free legal representation. If you have any work life issues, contact your workplace’s occupational safety representative (all companies with more than 10 employees are required to have one) or Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In general, Finland has anti-discrimination legislation, which is overseen by the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman.

5. About healthcare

If you need healthcare services:
a. Make an appointment with your municipal health center by phone or online.
b. Use Omaolo, a free digital health service that helps you assess your symptoms, get care instructions, and, if needed, be directed to the appropriate care. Identification (e.g., with bank credentials) is required if you wish to send information to healthcare providers or book appointments.
c. For children under school age, there is a child health clinic service (Neuvola).

6. Free services

Public services in Finland are excellent. For instance, libraries are true multi-purpose centers where, besides traditional services, you can work, pursue hobbies, or attend courses. It's also worth exploring the community college (työväenopisto) or Kansalaisopisto offerings – they provide a wide range of very affordable courses. Talking with the locals will likely help you feel more at home, and learning the language can play a key role in supporting integration. Many associations and public libraries in Finland offer language courses – and this also helps you to meet people. On the other hand, national parks (luontoon.fi) in Finland are well maintained, with marked and safe trails. There are also designated campfire and camping spots, restrooms and you can even stay for free in wilderness huts.

7. Help and activities through associations (järjestöt) in Finland

Finland is a country of associations and unions. Few examples: the Tenant Association offers free legal advice to its members. Moniheli supports the integration and inclusion of immigrants. Marttaliitto offers help with managing everyday life, household matters, and food. The Finnish Red Cross (SPR) provides support for loneliness, crises, and mental well-being. SET ry (Sexual Equality) supports the LGBTQ+ community by offering advice on identity and family law issues, organizing safe events and peer support, and providing assistance to those who have experienced discrimination or harassment. The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation is for those interested in nature and the environment. The Salvation Army in Finland helps people in difficult financial situations and offers social and spiritual activities.

8. Jokamiehenoikeudet: Finland’s Unique Right to Roam

Everyman's rights (jokamiehenoikeudet) allow everyone living in or visiting Finland to move freely in nature and use it without the landowner’s permission, as long as they do not cause harm or damage.
✅ You may: pick berries and mushrooms, go boating, fish with a simple rod, camp temporarily.
❌ You may not: disturb or harm animals or birds’ nests, cut down trees or pick living plants, make fires without permission, drive motor vehicles off-road, litter or make noise, fish with nets or lures, or hunt without a license.

9. Surviving the Finnish Winter and Enjoying the Summer Paradise

To survive Finland’s long and dark winter, learn to dress appropriately for the weather, take vitamin D, and spend time outdoors regularly. In the spring, the light returns quickly, but the warmth comes painfully slowly. It’s not until May that it becomes pleasant to spend time outdoors. Finnish summer, on the other hand, is a true paradise – there's nothing like it on Earth. In autumn, the nature’s colors are at their peak. After the summer holidays, cities come alive with events, and the forests are full of seasonal offerings. The evenings grow darker fast, but in Southern Finland, the weather often stays warm well into September.

10. If You Need Help

Finland is a safe country, and you can generally trust strangers. It’s normal to ask for help or directions on the street or in social media – people are usually happy to help.