What to do when you get here

Papu · Post by **Papu** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 1:30 pm

Hi,

I just finnished off my registration procedure (some of it at least) and since I went to some wrong offices (and was sent from A-B a couple of times, here´s a list of what to do (in what order) for newcomers who want to register.

1.) Go to the maistraati (magistrate) in Albertinkatu and tell the nice ladies that you want to apply for residence -> they will send you to the police-station in Malmi BUT first they´ll give you a piece of paper stating that you are currently in the registering process.

2.) Go to the HKL (public transport thing office in the Railwaystation) with this paper. Tis way you can already buy your monthly Travel-pass for the Helsinki area - it´s way, way, wayyyy cheaper than paying 2 € everytime you go from A-B. Actually, it cost´s something like 40 €.

3.) Now you can travel to the foreign-police office, which is located in MALMI (take the train, it´s included in your monthly pass). Try to get there early, as there are always cues. This is where you have to register: Bring along your documents - but anything that you forgot you can send by post later. They will tell you that it might take 4 months for the registration proces, but don´t be discouraged ´cause it won´t. This procedurecosts 40 € by the way.

4.) Wait a couple of days. Maybe check out the EURES-office in Mikonkatu, they can give tips about finding employment

5.) Go to Malmi again and fill out a "Speed-Up-Request". Think of any good reason why they should speed-up the registration process and they will (it worked for me). This way you´ll be registered a lot faster.

6.) A week later you´ll be registered. You get the registration by the post.

7.) Once you´ve got your registration go to the Maaistraati in Albertinkatu and you will get your certificate of domicile and your social security number.

8.) Now go to EURES again and go looking for work!

GOOD LUCK!

**Sponsor:**

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 9:31 pm

Of course, this applying if you live in Helsinki. If you live in Espoo or Vantaa, you don't live in Helsinki. (Hint, check your mail address) even if you were told you live "in Helsinki" so the Maistraatti and Police are located totally elsewhere.

Papu · Post by **Papu** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 11:08 am

sorry, forgot to mention that. Thanks Hank.

Of course this only applies to Helsinki and is also based on personal experience, so I can´t say if it always works that way....

Good luck everybody

RSH · Post by **RSH** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 4:19 pm

Thanks for putting this up as I actually haven't got round to this yet and probably should (there's a long to do list and only today did I get a nice bank lady to finally explain the Finnish banking system to me so I can stop paying 6euro per transaction, so it's a long and s.l.o.w list).

Anyway, how much of a necessity is it for me to be registered? I'm an EU citizen with an EU passport.

Do they do random checks in the street? Or more importantly will it prevent me from hiring DVDs?

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 5:08 pm

Do they do random checks in the street?

no

Or more importantly will it prevent me from hiring DVDs?

yes

Papu · Post by **Papu** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 9:21 am

[quote="RSH"]Thanks for putting this up as I actually haven't got round to this yet and probably should (there's a long to do list and only today did I get a nice bank lady to finally explain the Finnish banking system to me so I can stop paying 6euro per transaction, so it's a long and s.l.o.w list).

"Anyway, how much of a necessity is it for me to be registered? I'm an EU citizen with an EU passport."

Of course it depends if you´re planning on staying or not. I´m a EU citizen with EU passport as well, but here s alot of things work with the Social Security Number (which you get when you´re registered).

It´next to impossible to open a bank account without being registered. A couple of banks gave me a hard time (as I don´t have a job yet), the NORDEA bank in the World trade center finally gave in to my pleas..... F*$%§ing buerocrats at the bank, the foreign police told me that there is no law making it that hard to open a bank account, it´s just the banks way of harrassing foreigners.

karen · Post by **karen** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 9:50 am

I had a bank account when I was here illegally.

RSH · Post by **RSH** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 11:10 am

Banking was a funny one as I tried to organise from England and they said I had to have a letter from my uni or employee. When I tried to explain I was coming here for love they seemed rather incredulous. This was both Sampo and Nordea.

Of course when we turned up at the bank, with Finn in tow, they gave a bank account on the spot, and obviously one to hold the rental deposit. That was my Nordea experience.

So far I've managed to get by without the SS number but would like to know, when you get it do you get a little ID card with photo as well? I really don't like carrying my passport everywhere. Yesterday Antilla were not going to let me buy two magazines without photo id for my bank card because I was foreign. (it was a 12 euro transaction and I shop at that section every week!) I would like to pull out some Finnish verified ID for future occasions like that.

karen · Post by **karen** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 11:14 am

No idea. I have a Finnish drivers license that I show when I need ID.

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 8:50 pm

RSH wrote: when you get it do you get a little ID card with photo as well?

yes and no. if you get a residence permit card it doesn't have the magic numbers, but IIRC one can apply for a Finnish ID card as a resident. Of course, a drivers' licence will do the trick.

would like to pull out some Finnish verified ID for future occasions like that.

Mmmm... I'd be more concerned about KELA, or getting hospitalized, or trying to buy a bus pass, or trying to get a job or study place... or trying to prove you live somewhere when you miss your keys at 3am in the morning... or getting a phone or... well... numerous reasons.

Just note if you apply for anything that asks for residence, the day you get your number is when you moved here - currently, you don't exist.

RSH · Post by **RSH** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 8:57 pm

I can sense your fatherly tones of disapproval Hank so I will go follow the steps above with a little more urgency in case of hospitalisation needs beyond my E111.

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 9:03 pm

The red tape for an EU citizen is far less if you were a "real foreigner".

dusty_bin · Post by **dusty_bin** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:07 am

RSH wrote:Thanks for putting this up as I actually haven't got round to this yet and probably should (there's a long to do list and only today did I get a nice bank lady to finally explain the Finnish banking system to me so I can stop paying 6euro per transaction, so it's a long and s.l.o.w list).

Anyway, how much of a necessity is it for me to be registered? I'm an EU citizen with an EU passport.

Do they do random checks in the street? Or more importantly will it prevent me from hiring DVDs?

Never had a problem not being registered. (Put that down to a hate of being 'tagged'.)

bank account not an issue
never rented a DVD, but library memberships were never an issue
never got asked for ID by officials
used hospitals and doctors without problems(just take your passport with you)
Speeding fines, issued and paid, stopped many times by the police for paper inspections (Driving of foreign plated car) withut problem.
Home rented without problems
Phone was an issue initially but soon solved. I guess these days prepay would be the easiest way for one not registered and unwilling to take the wimp route and pay a deposit..
Internet connection, no problem.
buying stuff... no problem, sometimes a passport was used, other times my drivers licence (no picture)
Could not easily get a Visa card, but had an Electron card issued as soon as I knew they existed.

In large part this is about attitude. Expect no problem and there is no problem. Give in to the normal expectation of problems with bureaucracy and you will have problems. OTOH, if you are going to be working, then registration is a must, for obvious reasons, although that said I did obtain the tax stuff, when I did have a part time job, without problems...

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:23 am

RSH wrote:So far I've managed to get by without the SS number but would like to know, when you get it do you get a little ID card with photo as well? I would like to pull out some Finnish verified ID for future occasions like that.

With KELA you have the option of getting a social security card with a photo but I think it's a waste of time. KELA cards are not a 'legal' form of ID although they are accepted in some places. As an EU citizen, when you register you'll be issued an plastic residence permit that contains a photo. The cards are quite large so you may wish to get an ID card from the police. The cost is 40 €.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:27 am

dusty_bin wrote:Never had a problem not being registered ... In large part this is about attitude.

Just one problem, it's the law. EU citizens and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland must register their residence after staying three months in Finland.

Finland Forum

Find information about moving to, living in and life in Finland