21 Secrets About Living In Finland To Know Before Moving

The breathtaking Northern Lights, a wealth of winter sports, and a high standard of living are just a few reasons you may consider moving to Finland.

What if I don’t speak Finnish?

That doesn’t matter! There’s more to Finland living than understanding the language. Your expat life is about to change.

Sections

1. English is spoken by most Finns

Finnish language and Swedish are the two official languages of Finland. Finland has a large English-speaking population, though it is not as extensive as other Nordic countries.

Almost three-quarters of Finns report being able to speak English, especially in southern Finland, many of them fluently, and according to official statistics from a 2012 poll, the percentage of English speakers in Finland is 70%.

2. Finland is home to the world’s cleanest air…

A breath of fresh air has never been more apparent if you’re living in Finland.

Finland has the cleanest air globally, according to the WHO research. Finland’s air quality is pristine, with an average refined particle concentration of 2.5 micrometers. As a result, the devastating diseases induced by air pollution are mostly avoided among the Finnish people.

3. …and incredible landscapes

Finland is blessed with a wealth of natural beauty. During the winter, Finland’s wild and enigmatic beauty is fully shown. There are several national parks, ski resorts, and snowshoeing locations.

In the extreme north, Lapland is where you may meet the Sami people, learn about their historic reindeer herding customs, and enjoy cross country skiing. You may even try your hand at dog sledding up there!

Finland is also known as the “land of a thousand lakes.” Actually, there are 187,888 lakes, more lakes than any other country in proportion to its size.

4. The mesmerizing Northern Lights

The Aurora Borealis, nature’s most breathtaking light display, can be seen if you’re living in Finland from late August to April!

Did you know that the Northern Lights are visible around 200 nights a year in Finnish Lapland?

While many opt to see the Aurora Borealis from snowshoes, skis, snowmobiles, or dog sleds, in northern Lapland, the lights appear almost every other clear night between September and March.

5. The costs of living in Finland

Finland is the third-most costly country in the European Union and the second-most expensive in the Eurozone. Finland’s living costs are 10.2% more expensive than the US, and Finland taxes all income, products, and services. Finnish consumers also spend 20% more on food than the rest of Europe on average.

The substantial taxes contribute to Finland’s welfare state funding, offering free education. Finland’s taxes also fund unemployment benefits and diverse cultural organizations, from opera and ballet to the library system, high-quality health care, and social security.

6. Alcohol is pricey

If you visit Finland, expect to splash the cash on some booze.

In this Nordic country, alcoholic beverages are relatively expensive. Only milder alcoholic drinks are available at grocery shops, and strong alcoholic beverages can only be purchased at Alko outlets that the Finnish government controls.

7. The Finns love their coffee

Finns are huge coffee drinkers. For instance, coffee is almost usually offered during gatherings.

It may seem unusual that international coffee shops have yet to establish a foothold in Finland. The capital Helsinki and its airport both have a Starbucks. Yet, private and local coffee shops are preferred if you’re living in Finland!

8. It’s one of the safest countries in the world

There’s no need to hold that pepper spray too close if you’re living in Finland!

Finland is often recognized as one of the world’s safest nations. In 2017, the World Economic Forum ranked Finland as the world’s safest country. Even young children are frequently allowed to walk to school, and crime rates are meager in larger cities like Helsinki and Tampere.

Living in Finland means you should be vigilant as you would in any other country, but take comfort in the idea that you’re traveling to a country where people leave their bikes unsecured on the street and seldom lock their doors.

9. Finland is the happiest place in the world…

Okay, so does this mean I’ll be happy if I move to Finland?

It looks like it!

According to the World Happiness Report, Finland has been named the world’s happiest country for the fifth consecutive year, while other Nordic countries have also maintained a high ranking.

10. …and a great country to raise a child

Living in Finland will grant you safety, but it will also give your children protection. What more could you want?

Finland also gives new moms a baby box. This contains essentials for beautiful newborn bubbas and is given to all women living in Finland. What if you don’t want this? Families can apply for an untaxed amount of €140 per infant, fully funded by the government!

AND if you’re a self-employed mom, a student, or jobless, the government provides a four-month maternity leave.

Ahem, what about equality?

Yes, the dads get something too here! Finland encourages men to take up to fifty-dour days of paid paternity leave. We love to see it!

11. There are strange Finnish events though

Finland is renowned for hosting some of the strangest events on the planet. Seriously, please don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Ever heard of men carrying their spouses through an obstacle course? Otherwise known as the World Wife Carrying Championship.
What about the Mosquito Swatting Championship? The goal? Kill as many mosquitoes as possible in five minutes.
What about football? Yes, we know football. But what about Swamp Football? Kicking a ball about in the sticky, dense mud sounds near impossible!
How about the epic, intense rock and roll duel known as the Air Guitar Championship? Where do we sign up!?
Ever thrown your phone out of anger? Well, why not throw it as part of the annual mobile phone throwing competition?

12. Keep an eye on the speed limit

In Finland, speeding penalties are proportional to income. The Finns use a “day fine” system based on an offender’s daily disposable income — typically, their daily pay is divided by two. The more times a motorist exceeds the posted speed limit, the more days they will incur as a penalty.

13. Finland’s National ‘Day of Failure’

If you’re living in Finland, you shouldn’t worry about the mistakes you make or the losses you take. Instead, Finland accepts failure and encourages it as an opportunity for success.

October 13th is the day when you reflect on your failures, share them with others, learn from them, and reroute your road to success. You may share your failures by blogging about them and using the hashtag #dayforfailure on social media.

14. Get prepared for sauna invitations

Saunas play an essential role in Finland’s life. Saunas are used for washing and relaxing, which implies that tranquillity and silence are integral components of the experience. Numerous Finns visit saunas weekly, and it is customary for individuals to socialize in saunas frequently. So be prepared for many sauna invitations and indulge in Finland’s sauna culture.

Individuals visit saunas with family, friends, and business colleagues. Women and men see the sauna at different times, and it is customary to visit the sauna naked.

15. What’s the weather like in Finland?

Finland has four distinct seasons: a bright summer, colorful autumn, a frost-glazed winter, and blooming spring. Each season brings something fresh — whether you want tranquillity or adrenaline-pumping thrills.

From May through August, individuals who journey north of the Arctic Circle will find that the sun never sets, also known as the Midnight Sun, while those who venture south will find that the sun is visible about 24 hours a day between June and July.

In northern and eastern Finland, January and February are usually snowy. Although there is minimal snow in the capital Helsinki, there is often up to a meter or more on the Lapland skiing slopes due to excellent snow removal technologies.

16. Angry Birds began life in Finland

Angry Birds is a Finnish action-adventure media brand established by Espoo-based Rovio Entertainment. It’s even turned into a source of national pride.

Finland’s government asked Mikael Hed, Niklas Hed’s cousin, to talk with French Minister for European Affairs Laurent Wauquiez on innovation in the information technology industry.

17. Work-life balance

Work-life balance is a significant issue in Finland. Indeed, Finland maintains a high level of living and employment. They have a high percentage of male and female labor force participation—additionally, flexible work arrangements aid in promoting work-life balance.

The Working Hours Act in Finland permits employees to change their start and finish periods at work by up to three hours. A new upgrade allows workers to select the schedule and location for at least half of their usual working hours.

18. The Finns love their libraries

Finland is a nation of readers, which explains why they are among the most ardent users of public libraries in the world. Each year, 5.5 million residents borrow about 68 million books. Additionally, the United Nations rated Finland the world’s most literate country in 2016.

19. In Finland, honesty is huge

Finns, on the whole, have a laid-back attitude regarding manners and attire, and a tourist is unlikely to offend them. Finnish people are notoriously reserved, with little time for small conversation or social graces, so don’t expect to hear too many statements like “thank you” or “you’re welcome.”

Finns often fail to say it while speaking due to the Finnish language’s absence of a specific word for “please.” The lack of pleasantries stems more from the fact that sincerity and honesty are highly valued in Finnish society. Finns take great satisfaction in the high degree of social trust in their culture, which reflects the sense that people are behaving honestly.

20. Over half of Finland’s foreign population live in Helsinki

26.8 percent of foreigners in Finland resided in Helsinki, 17.7 percent in the remainder of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. The Helsinki Region was home to almost every second foreign national in Finland.

At the moment, Helsinki is a fascinating city to live and work in. It’s the ideal city to migrate to, with an expanding population of ex-pats, a thriving startup culture, and simple-to-use social services.

21. Forests cover 74% of the entire country

Finland is forested for over two-thirds of the country, with 40 national parks including lakes, the world’s most vast archipelago, woods, and meadows. There are endless opportunities to enjoy hiking, biking, boating, and camping in the great northern woods.

FAQs

Which provinces are in northern Finland?

Finland’s northernmost region includes Finnish Lapland, Kainuu, and Northern Ostrobothnia. This region is sparsely populated by Finnish standards, with a population marginally higher than Helsinki’s.

How long does a residence permit last in Finland?

If you are moving to Finland, you should first get a residence permit from the Finnish diplomatic mission in your home country. Unless you specifically request a lower validity period, the first residence permit is usually issued for one year. You can renew permits for continuous residence for up to three years at a time.

What is traditional Finnish food?

Finnish cuisine is fresh and full of local ingredients from Finland’s woods and lakes. Some traditional Finnish meals have fish and meat, while others feature vegetables and mushrooms. The Karelian pasty (Karjalanpiirakka) is a classic Finnish delicacy with a barley or rice filling.

What is Finnish culture known for?

Equal opportunity, trust, honesty, and nature are all examples of values held dear by Finns.

Final Thoughts

If you prefer the outdoors, enjoy winter sports and entertainment, and are willing to trade the darkness of winter for absurdly long summer days, living in Finland may be for you!