Exchange of migration data between Finland and Estonia begins – 13 266 persons have an address in both countries

Automatic exchange of migration data for people who move between Finland and Estonia began on 2 December 2025. When someone moves to the other country, the country of entry reports this to the country of origin, who then registers them as an emigrant. This marks their address and municipality of residence as expired in the country of origin.

– The exchange procedure for migration data between the Nordic countries expanding to apply to migrations between Finland and Estonia is excellent, as it furthers the correctness and timeliness of the population data register, which is necessary for producing services for the society, says Timo Salovaara, Director General of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.

Public authorities investigate parallel addresses

Estonian and Finnish public authorities that are responsible for the population data register, i.e. the Estonian Ministry of the Interior and Finland’s Digital and Population Data Services Agency will now also investigate any parallel data created through migration between the two countries. These are situations in which one person has a permanent address in both countries at once. The reason for these is mainly that the migrant hasn't submitted a notification of emigration. 

Investigations into parallel addresses are based on comparing the countries’ population data registers. By 1 December 2025, we have found 13 266 persons who had a permanent address in both Estonia and Finland.

Authorities ask for further information from persons with an address in both countries

In January 2026, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency and Estonia’s Ministry of the Interior will send these persons a written request for clarification, asking them to indicate which country they want to keep their permanent address in.

The matter can be resolved even if the authorities do not receive a response to the clarification request. If, for example, the authority is unable to determine the person’s own opinion on their permanent residence, their residence will remain in the country where it was last updated. The permanent address registered in the other country will be marked as terminated.

What is this about? 

Finland and Estonia concluded a treaty on the smoother exchange of information between their population registers in September 2022, and it entered into force on 1 May 2024. In its first phase, which began on 15 April 2025, the data exchange concerned data on deaths. Since December 2025, migration data has also been transferred automatically between the countries. 

At the same time, the authorities will also investigate all earlier cases. This will ensure that the address data of people who move between Finland and Estonia will be kept up to date in the population registers of both countries. In the future, the exchange of population data will also be extended to other personal data, such as changes in the name and marital status of Estonian and Finnish citizens and information on the birth of a child. 

Additional information  

Director General Timo Salovaara, Digital and Population Data Services Agency, [email protected]