Living in Helsinki: the ultimate expat guide
Everything you need to know for a successful life in Helsinki.
Located in Southern Finland, Helsinki is the country's capital and biggest city. As its political, education, financial, cultural and research hub, it provides many opportunities to expatriates. Indeed, 70% of foreign companies operating in Finland have set up there.
If you are not afraid of the polar cold and you feel you can easily adapt to its society and environment, Helsinki will welcome you with open arms.
Generalities
Get an overview of living in Helsinki with general information to discover the destination.
Developing your professional network in Helsinki
Helsinki may be situated on the outskirts of Europe, but it has managed to create a handful of high ...
Developing your social circle in Helsinki
How do you build a social circle and make new friends as an expat in Helsinki? The same basic rule ...
The networking etiquette in Helsinki
There is an enduring saying when it comes to Finnish people and their social skills. It was first ...
Work
Dive into the Helsinki labour market, legal framework and tips on how to find a job in Helsinki.
Working in Helsinki
The statistics don't lie. By looking at them, one can presume that in Finland, and in Helsinki, ...
The labour market in Helsinki
The labour market in Helsinki can be described as unbalanced, a bit schizophrenic even. ...
Jobs in Helsinki
Discover professional opportunities in Helsinki and boost your career.
Accommodation
Explore real estate or temporary rentals in Helsinki. Find out more about renting or buying a house or a flat, real estate agents, leases and rental agreements.
Buying property in Helsinki
Wish to live in downtown Helsinki? In principle, and in practice, buying a property in Helsinki is ...
Accommodation in Helsinki
Moving to Helsinki and wish to rent out an apartment in a block of flats? First, decide the ...
Popular neighbourhoods in Helsinki
In Finland, urbanisation is accelerating, and people are flooding to the south and particularly ...
Study
Universities, training courses, student visas, registration procedures: all you need to know about being an international student in Helsinki.
Transport
From public transports to renting or buying a car, explore the best options to getting around in Helsinki.
Getting around Helsinki
Downtown Helsinki is a rather narrow piece of land pointing towards the sea. This geography can easily jam the rush hour and even weekend traffic. ...
Leisure
Sports, leisure, culture and other activities expats can enjoy in their spare time in Helsinki.
Things to do on weekdays in Helsinki
It is the middle of the working week, and you need an evening out just to carry on the rest of the ...
Things to do in Helsinki
There is not only one Helsinki, but two. Or even three or four. There is winter, and there is ...
Sports in Helsinki
It is not an exaggeration to claim that Helsinki is an excellent city for practising various sports ...
Articles from the magazine
Melanie in Helsinki: "Finns are warm, funny, generous people"
Melanie, Kiwi expat, moved to Helsinki ten months back with her husband and three year old son. She is currently a freelance writer and she enjoys discovering her new city's parks, cafes, etc.
Staying close to home: From Russia to Finland
You don't have to go too far from home to experience a new culture and lifestyle... sometimes your new home can be just a three-and-a-half-hour train ride away. Alexander decided to move to Finland after frequent visits for weekends away. He got the opportunity to further his career, and made the leap. Here, he talks with Expat.com about life in Finland and just what it takes to make a new start abroad.
An Indian expat in Finland finds new meanings in life
Jutismita moved from the fast-paced Delhi to Helsinki as a trailing spouse. With her move to Europe, Jutismita discovered not only a different lifestyle and landscapes but also a whole new self. She talks to Expat.com about her new habits, big loves (spoiler alert: travelling included), and the challenges of expatriation to northern Europe.
Designing a pretty life: From Guatemala to Finland
Omar is from Guatemala and arrived in Finland eleven years ago as the singer in a heavy metal band. Ever since, many things have changed — the group split up, Omar obtained the Finnish nationality, and he has created a loving family. Follow us on this exciting journey of a designer, musician, and avid traveller from Guatemala to Finland.
The active lifestyle of an expat family in Finland
Paola, a wife and mother of two, lives and works in the tech sector in the capital area of Finland. Besides her full-time job, which she loves, Paola is a dedicated blogger. Today, she talks to Expat.com about her expat life as an Italian in the Nordic world, and her appreciation about Finland's natural beauty, as well as the country's socioeconomic security — aspects which nurture a happy family life.
From the sunshiny mediterranean to the icy northern Europe
Marietta from Greece started her expat journey seven years ago when she went to Denmark for her Master's degree and then to the Netherlands as a research assistant. Today, she is based in Kuopio, a densely populated city in Finland, famous for its beautiful forested area and Lake Kallavesi, which surrounds the town. After two and a half years in Finland, Marietta may still struggle with the cold weather, but she has found joy in outdoor activities and of course, her PhD.
The adventure of a Dominican expat in Finland
Born in the Dominican Republic, Dolores is a psychologist. Having lived in Spain for 19 years, she also has Spanish nationality. But two years ago, she relocated to Finland, where she founded an association of Dominican professionals. She talks to us about her expat experience in her new home.
Why does Finland need more expats?
Is Finland about to become another top expat destination? The country is making efforts to gain popularity internationally. As soon as it reopened its borders in 2021, this small country has been competing with giants like the United States, Canada, Switzerland, etc. Why is the country so keen on attracting global talent, and what are the benefits of moving there?
