After You Arrive

Registering Your Address in Finland

After you arrive, register your details and address with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV). This gives you a Finnish personal identity code, if you do not have one, and lets you use local services.

Registration Basics

Address Registration in Finland

Finland keeps a Population Information System with each resident's name, date of birth, citizenship and address. DVV runs it.

When to Register

Visit DVV within 1 month of sending its online form. After that, report each move within 1 week.

Who Needs Your Address

Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV)

Registers your personal identity code, address and municipality of residence.

Your university

Gives you a certificate of student status for DVV and may book a group visit.

Finnish Immigration Service (Migri)

Sends the new permit card, after you extend your permit, only to an address in Finland.

Others to Tell When You Move

House manager: Tell them if you live in a block of flats or a terraced house.
Anyone who sends you mail: Some get your new address from DVV. You must still make sure your bills reach you.

Step-by-Step Guide

How to Register in Finland

Follow these steps after you land.

Move into your home

You need an address in Finland to register it.

Fill in DVV's online form

Request a personal identity code and a municipality of residence on the same form. It needs no login.

Book a visit

Book the service called 'Registration of a foreigner's personal data'. Ask your university first if a group visit is booked.

Visit DVV within 1 month

Bring your passport, residence permit card and proof of your studies.

Get your code and address registered

DVV enters your details and address in Finland's population list (the Population Information System).

Report every later move

Send a notification of move after each move.

Deadlines to Remember

Two dates matter most: your DVV visit and every later move.

Institution	Deadline	Method	Consequences of Missing
Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV)	Within 1 month of sending DVV's online form	In person at a DVV service location	Your details are not registered and you cannot get a personal identity code.
DVV notification of move	From 1 month before to 1 week after the move	Online or on a paper form at a post office	Your address in the register is wrong.

Qogent Advisor Tip

Book your DVV visit as soon as you have an address. Banks and employers ask for your personal identity code.

Required Documents

Documents for Your DVV Visit

Bring the papers that fit your case.

Identity

Valid passport
Residence permit card or other proof that you live in Finland legally

Studies

Certificate of student status from your university

Family (only if you want it registered)

Marriage or birth certificate, with an official stamp (legalised) and a translation if needed
DVV family forms

How a Finnish Address Looks

Example only. Use the exact address from your housing contract.

Example:

Example: Your Name

Example: Street name 1 A 1

Example: 00100 Helsinki

Important Information

Good to Know

A few points that often confuse new students.

Temporary or permanent address

A temporary address is usually valid for 1 year at a time. A permanent address stays until you report a move.

Moving between student flats

Each move needs a notification of move.

Family papers

Family papers must be in Finnish, Swedish or English and legalised (stamped by an official office to show it is real). If your country has joined the Hague Convention, you need an apostille, an official stamp that proves a paper is real.

Your code may come with your card

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) usually gives a personal identity code with the permit decision. If you have one, you usually still need to register your address with DVV.