Registering residence for longer stays in Finland (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: EU citizens staying in Finland for more than three months must register their stay with the Finnish Immigration Service within three months of entry. A move of home municipality is notified to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency from one month before to one week after the move.

RuleWhat applies
Duty to registerMoving for a longer stayRequired for longer stays [1]
DeadlineMoving for a longer stayA person who changes home municipality or residence in Finland must notify the Digital and Population Data Services Agency no earlier than one month before and no later than one week after the date of the move. An EU citizen must apply to the Finnish Immigration Service for registration of the right of residence within three months of the date of entry. [2]
Where to registerMoving for a longer stayDigital and Population Data Services Agency (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto, DVV) for the notification of a move and the population information system; Finnish Immigration Service (Maahanmuuttovirasto) for registering an EU citizen’s right of residence. [2]
Document for EU citizensMoving for a longer stayAn EU citizen staying in Finland for more than three months must register the stay; the application is made to the Finnish Immigration Service within three months of the date of entry. [1]
Deregistration on leavingMoving for a longer stay⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • Rule for EU citizens, who must register their stay if it lasts more than three months. The Municipality of Residence Act separately sets out who gets a home municipality in Finland (permanent residence, with conditions for foreign nationals, including a registered right of residence for EU, Icelandic, Liechtenstein, Norwegian and Swiss citizens).
  • The first deadline is from the Municipality of Residence Act (change of home municipality or residence); the second is from the Aliens Act (EU citizens).
  • Authorities as named in the two Acts.
  • The name and content of the certificate issued after registration were not read.
  • The Municipality of Residence Act mentions a notification of emigration (maastamuuttoilmoitus) to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency but the deadline and conditions were not clearly read.

Sources

  1. Finlex (Ministry of Justice): Ulkomaalaislaki 301/2004 (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Finlex (Ministry of Justice): Kotikuntalaki 201/1994 (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.