A snow-dusted winter wonderland covered with dense pine forests and sparkling lakes, and dotted with a handful of fascinating cities, Finland is an ideal place for nature-loving digital nomads.
However, before you book a one-way ticket to the Nordic region, you need to know about the Finland digital nomad visa.
In this guide, we’ll answer all your questions from “How long can I stay as a digital nomad in Finland?” to “How much does it cost to live in Finland?” and everything in between.
Despite its location away from the famous digital nomad hotspots, such as Portugal and the Czech Republic, Finland is more suited to remote workers than you might think as the Finnish government was the first to declare broadband connection a legal right.
Read this guide on the Finland digital nomad visa to learn everything you need to know.
Wondering if you need a visa for Finland? Check out iVisa.
Visas in Finland
Those who are residents of Schengen countries can visit Finland visa-free for a period of up to 90 days, which makes it an ideal location for European digital nomads who enjoy hopping around every few months.
Citizens of several other countries also qualify for visa-free travel, including those from the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
Those who aren’t residents of countries that have a travel agreement in place with Finland will need to obtain a tourist visa, which is valid for 90 days out of 180.
If you wish to stay longer in the country, you must apply for a national visa, which will allow you to stay in Finland for up to 6 months.
If you decide to lay roots in the Scandinavian country for a while, you can apply for a resident, student, or work visa.
Alternatively, you can apply for the equivalent of a Finland digital nomad visa.
Digital Nomad Visa
There is no specific digital nomad visa in Finland. However, the self-employment visa is the one used by most entrepreneurs and remote workers, causing it to be dubbed the “Finland digital nomad visa.”
This visa allows visitors to stay in the country for a period of up to 6 months. You’ll need to prove you earn at least €1,150 (US$1,270) per month and it costs US$415 to apply.
Another alternative digital nomad visa in Finland is the start-up visa, which is suitable for those launching their own business and can be applied for after receiving an Eligibility Statement from Business Finland.
While this type of permit isn’t for everyone, it does have a longer validity period, enabling those who qualify to live in Finland for up to 2 years.
Best Places To Live in Finland For Digital Nomads
Digital nomads in Finland have plenty of options when it comes to where to base themselves, whether they’re city slickers, nature enthusiasts, or somewhere in between.
Helsinki
As the capital and most famous destination in Finland, Helsinki is home to the country’s greatest number of expats and digital nomads.
With over 5% of the city’s population identifying as foreigners, there are plenty of like-minded individuals to meet and help you get accustomed to life in Finland.
You can access high-speed internet from anywhere across the city and you’ll find that most of the residents have a good grasp of English, which will further help you to ease into the lifestyle.
While many expats and digital nomads choose to live within the city center, others decide to base themselves in the Greater Helsinki area, which includes Espoo, located just 16 kilometers away. Here, you’ll find the cost of living is almost 20% cheaper than in the inner city.
Public transportation options are plentiful, making it easy to journey into Helsinki to head to a coworking space or explore Finland.
As a major city, there are several coworking options for digital nomads in Helsinki.
Here are the best coworking space in Helsinki for remote workers and digital nomads:
- MOW Mothership Of Work
- Wonderland Work
- Mesta Coworking
Rovaniemi
Another popular choice for digital nomads in Finland is the official home of Santa Claus – Rovaniemi.
While this winter wonderland is most famed for its connection to the big man himself, it’s also a surprising hotspot for expats and remote workers, because of its connection to nature, and close proximity to the Arctic Circle.
Located in Lapland – Finland’s northernmost territory — the area surrounding the village is one of the easiest places to spot the Northern Lights.
As a small, 15th-century village, Rovaniemi is completely walkable, meaning that wherever you choose to live, you’ll have easy access to everything you need.
However, it is worth noting that you won’t find as many amenities here as you would in one of Finland’s larger cities, such as Helsinki.
There is just one coworking space for digital nomads in Rovaniemi.
- Y_North
However, there are also several cafes that provide free Wi-Fi for you to utilize if you find yourself going stir-crazy working at home.
Oulu
Those who want easy access to the wilderness of Lapland and the northern stretch of Finland but are seeking more of a city vibe than can be found in Rovaniemi should consider the coastal city of Oulu, located on the Gulf of Bothnia, which separates Finland and Sweden.
Alongside exploring the wealth of natural arctic attractions that surround the city, you can also take advantage of a myriad of cultural landmarks, including Oulu Cathedral and the Northern Photographic Center, as well as the Oulu’s wild, pine-studded beach.
The neighborhood of Karjasilta, located in the city center, has been voted the best place to live in Finland, and digital nomads will find plenty of accommodation options there.
If you are looking for a sense of community in Northern Finland, there are several coworking spaces in Oulu you can choose to work from.
Here are the best coworking spaces for digital nomads in Oulu:
- Njetwork Inn
- Boija Works
- Kielo Growth Oy
Turku
Once the capital of the Scandinavian country, Turku is one of the best places to live as a digital nomad in Finland.
Here, you’ll find plenty of historic sights, including a 13th-century Gothic cathedral, as well as a Medieval castle, once used as a protective fortress.
Turku is also home to a bustling harbor, which is a major center of trade, as well as enchanting cobblestone streets lined with traditional restaurants.
Like the rest of Finland, Turku is perfectly safe and you can choose to live in any of its neighborhoods. However, you may find the area of Martti to be a great spot to find accommodation because of its close proximity to the Aura River.
Alternatively, if you’re looking to live in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Turku, you could consider Hirvensalo.
The city’s remote working scene is not as thriving as in other parts of the center, and as such, there are fewer coworking spots than you would find in places like Helsinki.
However, there are still several coworking spaces for digital nomads in Turku:
- Regus, Citykulma
- Regus, Kupittaa
- Spacehub
Tampere
If you’re seeking somewhere a bit more central than the remote village of Rovaniemi, you may choose to base yourself in Tampere instead.
Dubbed the “Sauna Capital of the World,” the city is also a hub of technology and is well suited to digital nomad families in Finland.
There is plenty to do in Tampere, from unique museums to theme parks, and tourist attractions.
Once again, Tampere has no bad districts. However, the neighborhoods of Kaakinmaa, Pyynikinrinne, and Nalkala should be considered by digital nomads as they sit along the coast, providing respite from the noise of the inner city.
After Helsinki, Tampere is known as one of the spots for digital nomads in Finland, thanks to its collection of coworking spaces.
Here, you can explore some of the most renowned coworking spaces in Tampere:
- UNITY Tampere
- MOW Supernova
- Toinen Toimisto
Cost Of Living In Finland
Finland, like the rest of Scandinavia, is not known for being a budget destination. However, a single person can expect to pay between US$1,600 and US$2,000 per month, depending on the type of accommodation they select.
A four-person digital nomad family in Finland should budget between US$4,500 and US$5,000 per month to live comfortably.
You can expect to pay between US$700 and US$900 for a one-bedroom apartment. This price fluctuates depending on whether you live in the center of one of the country’s cities or in a less central location.
If you need a little more room, three-bedroom apartments average between US$1,100 and US$1,400.
Alternatively, if you select a dormitory within a hostel, prices start from around US$35 per night, bringing your total monthly accommodation costs to just over US$1,000 per person.
A budget meal costs around US$13 while a three-course meal costs between US$40 and US$50 per person.
Local transportation is plentiful and a one-way ticket generally costs less than US5 while a monthly pass often totals between US$60 and US$70.
Final Thoughts On Digital Nomads In Finland
While not known widely as an epicenter for remote working, digital nomads in Finland can find plenty to do.
Those who love the hustle and bustle of the city can settle in the great capital of Helsinki or travel to one of the other metropolises scattered up the country, such as Oulo, or Tampere.
Alternatively, if you’re seeking a quiet little shack in a peaceful village, you can head to Rovaniemi to get swept up in a romantic whirl of reindeer, thick blankets of snow, and the Northern Lights.
With the country’s high-speed internet connectivity that stretches across every city, town, and village, you can trust that wherever you stay, you’ll never miss a Zoom call.
However, the Finland digital nomad visa solution is not perfect and grants less time in the country than many others across Europe.
Additionally, those who are looking for sunny shores or a budget-friendly location should consider looking elsewhere.
If you’ve decided Finland isn’t for you, check out these other digital nomad guides:
Do you have your travel insurance?
- ☑ SafetyWing offers affordable travel medical insurance. Prices start at $45.08 / 4 weeks.
- ☑ Created by nomads, for nomads.
- ☑ Covers quarantine and Covid-19.
- ☑ You can pay per month, and stop at anytime.
