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Living in Finland

Student unions what are they?

In Finland, each higher education institution has a student union to look after students interests. When you get your Finnish student card, you become a member of your local student union. The university student unions have a national umbrella organisation, the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL). Similarly, polytechnic students unions belong to the Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (SAMOK).Student union membership entitles you to a variety of student discounts and also, the student unions organise a lot of different activities you can take part in.

Student clubs and associations

On top of the student unions, which operate on a national and institutional level, your faculty or department probably has its own student club. In addition to that, there usually are several separate clubs and student associations that centre around some hobby, sport, or other interest. You will find information about these on your institutions noticeboards, from the student services, or your fellow students.

Living

Finns are friendly people who make for reliable and trustworthy friends. By living and studying in Finland, you will get to experience the easy-going lifestyle that comes along with the high standards of living.

Cost of Living

The average monthly living expenses for a student in Finland are approximately 700-900€. This may vary a bit, depending on your study location in Finland – for example, accommodation and other living costs may be higher in the Helsinki metropolitan area and other cities.

Housing

Student accommodation in Finland, for both exchange and degree students, is usually organised by established student housing foundations. Many towns and municipalities also have dormitories maintained by the municipal community or the educational institution.

The student housing organisers are listed on the SOA (Finnish Student Housing Ltd) website www.soa.fi

Transportation

Public transport is very well organised in Finland, and students receive a special discount that makes commuting affordable. It is not necessary to have your own car while living in the big Finnish cities

Regulations & Advice

The essential things

Once you have received a study placement in Finland, whether for exchange studies, a complete degree programme or a research period, there are several practical things you need to start arranging beforehand, well in advance of your arrival. First and foremost, please make sure you have a realistic plan concerning the financing of your study period in Finland. This is very important, not only because of the financial requirements in connection with your student residence permit, but for your own financial security. Some Master's programmes may include an annual tuition fee for non-EU/EEA students. But even if your studies in Finland themselves are free of charge, you will still need to cover your everyday living expences independently.Additionally, you should take into consideration at least the following:

• Visa/residence permit
• Insurance
• Travel arrangements
• Your student accommodation in Finland

Remember to reserve enough time to complete all the necessary formalities such as obtaining a passport, arranging your visa/residence permit and insurance.

When you have arrived

Also bear in mind that once you have arrived in Finland, you still have some practical issues to consider, for example:

• Registration at the higher education institution
• Details of your student accommodation arrangements
• Registration of your residence in Finland with the Police or local registry office (if you are staying for at least one full year)
• Taxation issues (if you plan to try and find part-time work during your studies)
• Other practical aspects of your everyday life in Finland (bank account, mobile telephone, local transport, etc)

Usually, after your arrival you can ask for assistance in these and other practical issues from your hosting Finnish institution or student union. If you have any questions or are in doubt about some practical matter concerning your life in Finland as a student please do not hesitate to ask for help from the International Office of your hosting Finnish university, your student union, or you fellow students.

Insurances

Even though Finland is a safe country to live in, accidents can happen to any of us. You may suddenly fall ill or injure yourself playing sport for example, and dealing financially with the aftermath of such unlucky occurrences may be very costly without proper insurance. That is why it is very important to bring a valid health and accident insurance policy with you. It is recommended that you take an insurance policy that covers you during your stay in Finland and also during your travel to and from Finland. If youre planning to partake in any leisure time excursions to Finland's neighbouring countries, it is advisable to make sure that the insurance is valid also in those countries.As a rule, only permanent residents of Finland are covered under the Finnish National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme of KELA. Thus, international students residing in Finland on a temporary student residence permit are not covered by the NHI scheme. If you are not insured by a corresponding insurance system from your home country, you are strongly advised obtain medical and accident insurance from a private insurance company before your arrival in Finland.

Visa and student residence permit

If your studies in Finland last more than three months you will need a student residence permit or, if you are a Nordic/EU/EEA citizen staying in Finland for more than three months (six months for Nordic citizens), you need to register your residence in Finland. It is also worth noting that, as a rule, you need to apply for your first student residence permit from your home country. If you have come to Finland with a short-term visa, you will usually need to return to your home country to apply for a residence permit.