Finnish Embassy in UK
For all enquiries please contact the Embassy directly.
British Council Finland
Visas
Citizens of other EEA/EU member countries may enter Finland freely, and they can reside and work in Finland without a residence permit, as long as the work lasts no more than three months. If your employment is longer than three months, you must apply for a residence permit, but does not need a work permit.
Work Permits
You must have a work permit if you intend to engage in gainful employment while in Finland. There are, however, some exceptions to this rule. Citizens of the Nordic countries i.e. Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland or citizens of EU/EEA countries do not need a work permit. The same applies to foreigners who have been granted refugee status in Finland.
Tax
If you are doing occasional work in Finland, you will be taxed on Finnish-source income only. However, tax treaties may provide that, under certain conditions, even such income may not be taxed in Finland. Non-residents are taxed at flat rates in accordance with the Non-residents’ Tax Act.
Pension
The Finnish employer has to insure a foreign employee working in Finland in accordance with the Employees' Pensions Act (TEL), the Temporary Employees' Pensions Act (LEL) or the Pension Act for Performing Artists and Certain Other Employee Groups (TaEL). An employee posted from an agreement country to Finland may be covered by the insurance in the sending country, which means that insurance contributions are only paid there. This has to be proved by getting a posted employee's certificate on legislation applicable from the sending country.
Social Security
Finland has concluded social security agreements with EU and EEA countries. The main principle in the agreements on social security is insurance in the country of employment. However, the social security agreements state that an employee on a short assignment abroad can still be insured in the home country. Depending on the agreement country, a temporarily posted employee from Finland can remain covered by the Finnish social security for one to five years. An exception to the main rule are also employees who normally work in several EU countries, and they are usually insured in their country of residence. In order to be able to verify in the country of employment that social security contributions are paid to the country of residence the employee must have a certificate regarding this (certificate if posting, e.g. E101). |
