Read the instructions for citizens of EU countries, Switzerland or Liechtenstein and citizens of other countries on our website.
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 Nordic citizen 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 planning to live in Finland for at least one year.
To get a municipality of residence, you must visit a service location in person.
Do as follows
I do not yet have a Finnish personal identity code:
I already have a Finnish personal identity code:
A) Use the online form to apply for a municipality of residence
Apply for a municipality of residence here
You must also personally visit a service location of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. The confirmation message for your reservation will tell you what you need to bring with you to the appointment.
B) You cannot use the online form
Request registration by filling in and printing a paper form.
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
3. Bring your valid passport or identity card with a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
If information on your family relationships have not yet been recorded and you want to report them at the same time, bring an original signed and/or stamped extract of the family relationship information that you have received from an authority in another Nordic country (for example, Personbevis or Utdrag ur folkeregister). For more detailed instructions and the correct form, see our page “Life changes while living abroad”.
The municipality of residence cannot be applied with a notification of change of address but with a separate online form.
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Customer service
You can find the average processing times on our website.
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Telephone
Telephone service number is +358 295 536 320
Service hours: Mon–Fri 9–15.