Municipality of residence for a citizen of an EU country, Switzerland or Liechtenstein

What is a municipality of residence?

Finland is divided into several administrative regions called municipalities. A municipality of residence is usually the municipality where you live. 

When you have a municipality of residence, 

  • you usually have the right to use the services provided by your municipality of residence, such as public health care or children’s day care
  • you can get a Finnish identity card and a driving licence 
  • services provided by authorities or receive financial benefits or subsidies. 

When can a citizen of an EU country, Switzerland or Liechtenstein receive a municipality of residence?

You can get a municipality of residence if the following conditions are met:

  • You have arrived in Finland.
  • You are staying in Finland legally.
  • You are planning to live in Finland for at least one year.

You must also have one of the following:

  • a positive decision from the Finnish Immigration Service to register your right of residence as an EU citizen 
  • a family member* who has a municipality of residence in Finland.

*Family members include a spouse, guardian or dependent child. A cohabiting partner is also a family member if you have lived together continuously for at least 2 years before moving to Finland or if you share custody of a child you have had together.

Do as follows 

I do not yet have a Finnish personal identity code

If you do not yet have a Finnish personal identity code, read the instructions on our Registration of foreigners page. 

I already have a Finnish personal identity code

A) During the past 12 months, I have been granted the right of residence of an EU citizen or a residence card for a family member of an EU citizen* by the Finnish Immigration Service. 

  • Request a municipality of residence by filling in the notification of change of address in either of the following ways:
  • If your address remains the same, enter the country from which you moved to Finland in the field “Old address abroad”. Enter your current address in the field “New address in Finland”. 
  • NOTE. If you are moving from another Nordic country, you must visit the Digital and Population Data Services Agency in person. See more detailed instructions on our page “Moving between the Nordic countries”.

*A residence card for an EU citizen’s spouse is not the same as a residence permit card. Read more about a family member’s residence card on the Finnish Immigration Service’s website.

B) I have received a decision from the Finnish Immigration Service more than 12 months ago.

If your information has not yet been registered at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency, you can find the correct form and instructions on our Registration of foreigners page. 

If your information has been registered, do the following: 

1. Fill in and print out the form “Changing a temporary address into a permanent address” in advance.

Changing a temporary address into a permanent address

2. Book an appointment for the “International Registrations” service in our booking service. 

Book an appointment

3. Please bring the following documents with you: 

  • completed “Changing a temporary address into a permanent address” form 
  • a valid passport or an identity card with a photograph 
  • the Finnish Immigration Service’s decision on registering an EU citizen’s right of residence or a residence card for a family member of an EU citizen.

C) I do not have the Finnish Immigration Service’s decision on registering an EU citizen’s right of residence, but my family member has a municipality of residence in Finland.

If your information has not yet been registered at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency, you can find the correct form and instructions on our Registration of foreigners page. 

If your information has been registered, do the following: 

1. Fill in and print out the form “Changing a temporary address into a permanent address” in advance.

Changing a temporary address into a permanent address

2. Book an appointment for the “International Registrations” service in our booking service. 

Book an appointment

3. Please bring the following documents with you: 

  • completed “Changing a temporary address into a permanent address” form
  • a valid passport or an identity card with a photograph 
  • original and, if necessary, legalised certificates of family relationships if your family relationships have not yet been recorded. Read more about the legalisation and translation of documents. 

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Service hours Monday–Friday 9–12

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Acts related to the matter

Municipality of Residence Act (in Finnish)