Settling in Helsinki

Helsinki-info

Helsinki-info is an advice service where you can get up-to-date information about Helsinki, city services, housing opportunities, work and studying. You can also ask for help if you are uncertain as to which authority to contact. Helsinki-info also offers digital advice and helps with matters connected to entry into the country. Helsinki-info serves in several languages by phone, face to face or online.

Telephone 09 310 11111 and chat Mon–Thu 9 am–4 pm, Fri 10 am–3 pm

Service points:

• Central Library Oodi, address: Töölönlahdenkatu 4, Mon–Thu 10 am–6 pm and Fri 10 am–4 pm.
• International House Helsinki, address: Lintulahdenkuja 2 D, 2nd floor area, Mon–Thu 9 am–4 pm and Fri 9 am–4 pm.
• Itäkeskus Library, Stoa, address: Turunlinnantie 1, Mon & Wed 9 am–4 pm, Fri 10 am–4 pm.

International House Helsinki

If you have recently moved into the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, you can receive guidance and public services in one place at International House Helsinki (IHH).

At International House Helsinki, you can:

• seek free guidance and information related to moving in several languages
• register your right of residence if you are a citizen of an EU country
• apply for a Finnish personal identity code, register as a resident and report your address information
• apply for a tax card and receive guidance on taxation
• search for information about Finnish social security and benefits
• receive guidance on earnings-related pension and information on the A1 certificate
• receive help with finding employment
• receive guidance on day-care and school places for families
• receive support from the Spouse Program network for the spouses of foreigners who have moved to Helsinki, Espoo or Vantaa for work
• attend free-of-charge Newcomer information sessions in English that provide support and advice on what to do before and after arriving in Finland. The events are held online.

Address:
Lintulahdenkuja 2 D, 2nd floor
00530 Helsinki

Read more on the International House Helsinki website.

Free digital support for Helsinki residents

If you need help, for example, with using a computer or phone, or with electronic transactions, you can ask the City of Helsinki’s digital support (digituki) for advice. Digital support is available at libraries, community centres, service centres, the adult education centre and youth centres. You can also ask for advice from the digital support chat or helpline at 09 310 10011 (Mon–Fri 9.00–12.00).

If you need digital support for your home, fill in the form online or call 09 2312 0370 (Mon, Wed and Thu at 9.00–12.00).

In addition, Helsinki-info also advises city residents on matters related to digital support. For help, call Helsinki-info on 09 310 11 111.

If you are looking for a job or want to study in integration training

If you want to find a job, you should register as an unemployed jobseeker. When you register as a jobseeker, an employee from Employment Services (työllisyyspalvelut) will conduct a service needs assessment (palvelutarpeen arviointi) with you and you will create an integration plan (kotoutumissuunnitelma) together. The integration plan will specify which services and training will support your integration and employment.

Read more on the InfoFinland page Work and enterprise in Helsinki.

Integration services for those who are not jobseekers

You may be eligible for services that help with your integration. These services are intended for you if you are outside of working life, live in Helsinki and have recently received a residence permit or residence card, or have just registered your right of residence. You are outside of working life if you are at home caring for your child, a student or over 65 years old, or have a disability or illness. You can find the contact details for integration services on the City of Helsinki’s website.

Read more about integration services on the InfoFinland page Integration into Finland.

Special immigrant services

If you need advice during the early stages of your integration or if you are living in Helsinki without a residence permit or municipality of residence (kotikunta), you can get help based on your needs from Special Services for Immigrants (maahan muuttaneiden erityispalvelut). You can also receive assistance if you are a victim of human trafficking or suspect that you have been exploited. An expert will help you look for solutions in matters such as finances, housing, residence and entry into Finland, as well as well-being and relationships. Interpretation services are available in the service.

Advice without an appointment:
Kalasataman Terveys ja hyvinvointikeskus
Työpajankatu 14A, 00580 Helsinki
Mon–Fri 8.15–16.00
Room 1001, service by queue number

Telephone counselling:
09 310 37577 immigrants and victims of human trafficking/8.15–12.00 and 13.00–16.00
09 310 23747 undocumented immigrants/9.00–16.00

If you do not speak Finnish or Swedish, you can use an interpreter when attending to your affairs with the authorities. The Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) and the Finnish Immigration service (Maahanmuuttovirasto), for example, book interpreters for their customers in some cases. In that case you do not need to pay for it. Always ask about interpreting in advance from the authority in question or ask Helsinki-info for advice.

If you book an interpreter yourself and pay for it, you can use an interpreter whenever you want. Many companies in Helsinki provide interpreting services. You can search for such companies on the Internet, for example.

You can search for an interpreter or translator using the search engine on the website of The Finnish Association of Translators and Interpreters.

Read more: Do you need an interpreter?

If you have financial problems, you can book an appointment with the City of Helsinki’s financial counselling (talousneuvonta). You can find the contact information on the City of Helsinki website. You can also visit the Financial Counselling Clinic (talousneuvola) at the Central Library Oodi without an appointment (Töölönlahdenkatu 4, Wed 15.00–17.00).

You can also contact the Legal Aid Office’s financial and debt counselling unit. The service is free of charge.

Helsinki Legal Aid Office (Helsingin oikeusaputoimisto)
Financial and debt counselling (talous- ja velkaneuvonta)
Porkkalankatu 13 J
Tel. 029 56 60123

If your or your family’s income and assets are not enough to cover necessary daily expenses, you can apply for income support (toimeentulotuki) from Kela. 

To read more, go to: Financial problems.