Help, moving to Finland to have a baby!

by **SareSare** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 9:17 pm

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone could help clarify some things for me.

My boyfriend and I are expecting our first child in April. My boyfriend is Finnish and has lived in Finland all his life and is currently a student. I am British and so I thought it would be relatively straightforward to come over to Finland to have the baby and to live, but as we've looked into it further it's become quite daunting with all the forms and various permutations of circumstance and there doesn't seem to be a clear-cut route on how to go about things.

The hope is that we'll be in Finland for at least a year before deciding where to settle permanently and bring up our child; I know he would prefer Finland but things don't appear too welcoming so far! I will have an income for most of that time as my employers have agreed to let me work remotely, and I probably do have sufficient funds (someone on another forum mentioned €9000 but I haven't actually seen this anywhere officially), and we will also tick the "co-habiting" box, but really I have no idea how I prove these things and if indeed they're required if I am the mother of a Finnish child. Is there anyone who could help shed some light on it?

Many thanks in advance for any help at all,
Sarah

**Sponsor:**

by **onkko** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 9:23 pm

Marry him.

by **Rip** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 9:36 pm

Legally you'll be a "mother" only AFTER the bay is born.

by **SareSare** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 9:46 pm

I realise that, but as an EU citizen I apparently do not need to apply for a residents permit until I've been in the country for 3 months so the baby would have been born by then.

by **onkko** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 9:58 pm

SareSare wrote:I realise that, but as an EU citizen I apparently do not need to apply for a residents permit until I've been in the country for 3 months so the baby would have been born by then.

Getting baby isnt emergency so prepare to pay few thousands.

by **SareSare** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 10:04 pm

Wow, how to make someone feel totally unwelcome. If it makes you feel better the National Health Service of the UK reimburse all costs suffered by taking care of a British citizen, in the same way you would have your healthcare for free if you came to the UK - this has been certified by mid-wives in both the UK and Finland. I am not after your benefits etc. we would just like to be together to start our family and we had agreed that we wanted our child to be a Finnish citizen. This isn't about money at all, I was hoping for some friendly advice from people who might have gone through the same thing or something similar.

by **sinikettu** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 10:11 pm

I think you should have your baby in UK and then move to Finland...NHS works.. Finnish Kela (equivalent)..??
But I am a man no experience.

By the way..You will be welcomed here,,,

by **jahasjahas** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 10:20 pm

SareSare wrote:Wow, how to make someone feel totally unwelcome.

Well, that seems to be onkko's job on the forum... But I'm sure the helpful people will find the thread sooner or later.

by **onkko** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 10:34 pm

SareSare wrote:Wow, how to make someone feel totally unwelcome. If it makes you feel better the National Health Service of the UK reimburse all costs suffered by taking care of a British citizen, in the same way you would have your healthcare for free if you came to the UK - this has been certified by mid-wives in both the UK and Finland. I am not after your benefits etc. we would just like to be together to start our family and we had agreed that we wanted our child to be a Finnish citizen. This isn't about money at all, I was hoping for some friendly advice from people who might have gone through the same thing or something similar.

Is it? Mind to point legal stuff where thats said.
And by that i mean real agreement about delivering baby or similar.
I dont hold my breath but i cant say something like that couldnt exist, i havent heard about it tho.

by **SareSare** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 10:55 pm

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcare ... birth.aspx

And I have also ensured that my mid-wife has spoken to a neuvola in the area and checked that it is actually the case. We're not doing this on a whim, and finances are not a concern if we were to have to pay privately, it is just the logistics of trying to ensure the best for our child in its first few months and years which I was asking for help with.

To respond to the other poster about having the baby in the UK and then moving, both my mid-wife and the person she spoke to at the neuvola thought it would be best for me to have it in Finland so its dad could be there and part of its first few weeks, so under medical advice that's what we're going to do.

And thank you to the friendly people who have taken the time to write nice posts!

by **Sara** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 10:57 pm

Im British with a Finnish husband and have had 2 children here.

For your own comfort and ease it may be better for you to have your baby back in the UK and then move. Im mainly thinking along the lines of language barriers and just "knowing" how things work.

I assume you are still first trimester (my sister in law is due april 1st, so no creepy date working out :lol:

) it would be better to move ASAP if you wanted to take up the maternity benefits that are available here. Some information here http://www.kela.fi/in/internet/english.nsf/NET/081101123937EH?OpenDocument Plus you start to know how things work here.

You need a "right to reside" certificate rather than a residents permit. http://www.poliisi.fi/poliisi/home.nsf/pages/FBC50CC59E5B37D6C2257801004AE49B?opendocument They are much more easy going on EU members but take along every piece of paperwork you can think off when you go as it saves you making a return trip :wink:

Work wise get a copy of your contract and ask them to provide a letter with their contact info and agreement for you to work over here. You'll have to take that up with the tax people over here on your own though :ohno:

Feel free to pm me if you want anything at all

by **Sara** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 11:02 pm

Maternity units generally have "family" rooms here so the father can stay in hospital. I had my children at Jorvi hospital in Espoo. I had my second 10 months ago and policy then was to save the family rooms for first time parents but of course no guarentee there will be one free for you.

Language wise the majority of my nurses in the hospital have spoken English especially during labour. :thumbsup:

Of course thats in the capital area, if you go to a small town it means much less chance.

by **Rodwen** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 11:13 pm

I think it's wise to get married before the child is born tho.
You avoid the procedures you'd have to take, like the father would have to recognize the child or the like, I'm not quite sure how that works. As far as I am aware it could even end up with a DNA test.

Also, you said you would like the child to be finnish citizen. According to law

A child acquires jus sanguinis Finnish citizenship at birth if
the child's mother is a Finnish citizen;
the child's father is a Finnish citizen and the parents are married;
the child's father is a Finnish citizen, the child is born out of wedlock, and paternity has been established

So, with marrying you avoid the hurtles of establishing the paternity.. and a lot of paperwork.

by **Sara** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 11:25 pm

As far as Im aware the only reason to take a DNA test is if the father disputes paternity - clearly not the case here!

by **SareSare** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 11:38 pm

No dispute on paternity, and yes it would be much easier to get married!