Hello, all. I have a job which I can do from anywhere as long as I have an Internet connection. My employer is based in the United States, but I worked for them while living in Serbia (and various other places) last year.
Is a steady income like that sufficient enough to apply for a residence permit, or does the job need to be based in Finland?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Working remotely from Finland
Re: Working remotely from Finland
Does your employer have an office in Finland?
Do you have a permanent contract with the employer?
How would your employer contribute to Finnish social security (eg pension)?
Do you have a permanent contract with the employer?
How would your employer contribute to Finnish social security (eg pension)?
Re: Working remotely from Finland
They don't have an office in Finland. I do have a permanent contract with them though, I'm a full time employee.
I would be happy to contribute to Finnish social security, etc, if that's an option. I understand that living in Finland requires contributions to the economy aside from just spending money, so I'd be happy to do that, I'm just not sure how it's done when the company has no presence in Finland.
Maybe I need to organize it with my employee.
I would be happy to contribute to Finnish social security, etc, if that's an option. I understand that living in Finland requires contributions to the economy aside from just spending money, so I'd be happy to do that, I'm just not sure how it's done when the company has no presence in Finland.
Maybe I need to organize it with my employee.
Re: Working remotely from Finland
Yes, it's a complicated situation. Usually people working remote like that set up a toiminimi (sole trader) and they would then invoice the work their do. In other words, your current employer would become your customer and you would become their supplier.
With a toiminimi you can contribute to your pension and KELA for health cover etc.
But, if you prefer to keep the contract you have as employee, then I suggest you contact www.intofinland.fi by email (they usually respond quite quickly) or walk into their office in Kamppi if you are in Helsinki and ask them for advice.
With a toiminimi you can contribute to your pension and KELA for health cover etc.
But, if you prefer to keep the contract you have as employee, then I suggest you contact www.intofinland.fi by email (they usually respond quite quickly) or walk into their office in Kamppi if you are in Helsinki and ask them for advice.
Re: Working remotely from Finland
Hmmm, In To Finland wasn't very receptive:
It seems to me my question was quite applicable. I was just asking if it's possible for an individual to contribute to social security and tax without the presence of an employer in Finland. I guess I'll look into the other option for now.Dear Customer,
Unfortunately In To Finland cannot help you in this matter. We provide advice and information related to social security and taxation matters.
We recommend that you turn to the Finnish Immigration Service.
Re: Working remotely from Finland
Just apply for a residence permit. They may or may not give it to you depending on the details of the sort of work you do, and/or your ties to Finland. Look over the options for types of permits on the migri site. Some are based on family ties and some on work. Family ties are a better chance, if you have them.
Access to benefits is residence base; if you live here you will get benefits, regardless of whether you pay taxes here - except certain employment based benefits, like unemployment insurance. For that, you have to join a union. If the tax treaty with the USA hasn't change since 2004 when I did this, you won't need to pay taxes in Finland. Incidently, you also won't need to pay income tax in the USA, unless you make more than 80000$ or whatever it is nowadays. Unless they've sewn that sweet little loophole up. If you live here more than a year, or declare your intention to do so, then you will have to pay taxes.
Access to benefits is residence base; if you live here you will get benefits, regardless of whether you pay taxes here - except certain employment based benefits, like unemployment insurance. For that, you have to join a union. If the tax treaty with the USA hasn't change since 2004 when I did this, you won't need to pay taxes in Finland. Incidently, you also won't need to pay income tax in the USA, unless you make more than 80000$ or whatever it is nowadays. Unless they've sewn that sweet little loophole up. If you live here more than a year, or declare your intention to do so, then you will have to pay taxes.