Digital Nomad Visa in Finland

In Finland you have the opportunity to apply for a self-employed work permit, which is the official substitute for a digital nomad visa, provided you meet specific criteria. Our immigration lawyers in Finland can support you in relocating here as a digital nomad, providing tailored advice.What you need to know is that Finland does not have a program dedicated exclusively to this type of visa (digital nomad visa), so you need to apply for a self-employed work permit, which can cover various forms of service provision.

Our immigration lawyers in Finland can support you in relocating here as a digital nomad, providing tailored advice.

Is Finland’s digital nomad visa available for remote workers?

Although Finland does not provide a dedicated digital nomad visa, remote professionals can seek the self-employment residence permit, intended for freelancers or independent contractors.

The process of obtaining this type of permit in Finland is relatively simple if you meet the requirements. The most important thing you need to do is provide clear proof that you have the financial means to cover your living costs during your stay.

Finnish legislation establishes a minimum income requirement based on the activity carried out as a digital nomad, whether as an authorized individual or an entrepreneur.

In the case of the “start-up entrepreneur” permit, the minimum net income requirement is €1,210/€1,090/€1,030/month, depending on where you live.

It is also important to note that Finland is a member of the European Union. Therefore, only non-EU citizens need to obtain this visa to move here. Our Finnish lawyers can provide personalized advice to all applicants from non-EU countries.

How to apply for a digital nomad visa in Finland?

If you wish to relocate to Finland on the basis of this type of visa, you need to contact the Finnish embassy or consulate in your home country and submit a set of documents, such as:

• a valid passport(a minimum validity of 6 months is recommended);
• you need to demonstrate sufficient income / resources to support yourself;
• a real financial evidence (bank statements / contracts / business plan);
• you need to complete identification at the embassy after submitting your online application.

Finland’s equivalent to a digital nomad visa, self-employment residence permit, is valid for 1 year. Our law firm in Finland is at your disposal for any questions related to the status of a self-employed worker in Finland.

What else do you need to know if you are applying for a digital nomad visa in Finland?

Regarding the minimum income requirements, you need to prove that you have:

• a minimum of EUR 1,600 per month, gross income;
• a minimum of EUR 3,937 per month (2026) if you are a specialist or if you apply through the EU Blue Card program.

Our attorneys in Finlandcan help you with further information on the labor law in this country.

If you are a foreigner, you can obtain residency in Finland through employment, but it is mandatory that the job be obtained before the residence permit is issued.

The permit application can be submitted after obtaining an employment contract. As a rule, either a residence permit as an employee or a permit that allows the legal conduct of a professional activity in Finland is required.

What alternative do digital nomads have to Finland’s self-employment visa?

Unfortunately, digital nomads have very few alternatives in this regard, as Finland does not offer a dedicated remote work visa.

The only viable options, apart from the self-employment permit, are employment-based residence permits, such as the Residence Permit for Employees, the Specialist Permit or the EU Blue Card, depending on the applicant’s qualifications and income.

So, if you want to work temporarily in Finland, our lawyers in Finland can provide you with all the necessary information.

The legislation is permissive regarding citizenship in Finland; a person who also holds the citizenship of another state does not lose their Finnish citizenship.

At the same time, obtaining a Finnish passport does not affect the citizenship of those from the Nordic countries, due to special agreements between them.

What kind of activities qualify for this type of visa?

The self-employment residence permit in Finland is for those who are self-employed and can demonstrate a viable business model, potential income, and existing contracts or clients.

The following types of online activities can be accepted for this type of work permit:

• Creative/digital freelancing (e.g. graphic design, web design, UX/UI design, copywriting, content writing, blogging, video editing etc.).
• E-commerce activities & digital products (e.g. selling e-books, templates, digital products, online brand management, social media marketing services etc.).
• IT and tech as freelance activities (e.g. software development, mobile app development, data science etc.).
• Remote professional services [e.g. coaching & life coaching (with legal structure and contracts), translations / interpreting, online training / workshop facilitation etc.].

What are the best cities to live in as a digital nomad in Finland?

According to the evaluations made by the magazine Nomad List, at least seven cities in Finland are considered ideal for the digital nomad lifestyle. Right below you can find the top 3 cities:

• Oulu, which is the most affordable financial option, with an estimated cost of only 1,350-1,500 EUR per month for a single person;
• Turku, which is considered the most advantageous in terms of the ratio between the level of costs and the quality of the internet, with average monthly expenses of around 1,650-1,950 EURper month for a single person;
• Helsinki takes the third place, with estimated living costs of around 2,000-2,300 EUR per month for a single person.

If you are planning to immigrate to Finland and apply for a digital nomad visa, please keep in mind that  Finland’s equivalent for this type of visa is the self-employment residence permit. For guidance throughout the entire legislative process contact our lawyers in Finland . We offer full consultancy for the entire immigration process.