If you want to set up a company in Finland, you need to obtain a residence permit before arriving in the country. Learn all about the residence permit for an entrepreneur below.
Residence permit for an entrepreneur
Anyone with a permanent residence in one of the countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) can create a company in Finland. The need to obtain a residence permit does not depend on your citizenship, but on your place of residence.
Your business must be profitable and generate income that provides you with the livelihood you need.
If you want to do business in Finland, you need to obtain a residence permit for an entrepreneur.
Who is an entrepreneur in Finland?
- startup entrepreneur;
- sole proprietor (toiminimiyritys);
- full partnership partner;
- general partner in limited partnership;
- member of the cooperative with unlimited liability – where the members are personally responsible for the debts of the cooperative;
- shareholder in a managerial position (director or board member) in a joint stock company or a manager in another type of company.
To obtain a residence permit for an entrepreneur, you need to work directly at your company in Finland.
If you do not have a permanent place of residence in Finland or another EEA country, then you need to register your business in the trade register at the Office of Patents and Registrations before applying for a residence permit for an entrepreneur.
If you move to Finland or another EEA country, you do not need permission from the Office of Patents and Registrations to set up a business. Thus, the need to obtain a permit does not depend on your citizenship, but on your permanent place of residence.
The application is reviewed in two stages. First, the Center for Economics, Transport and the Environment (ELY-keskus) assesses the profitability of your enterprise, in particular on the basis of a business plan or financing plan. After that, the Migration Service decides on the granting of a residence permit.
You can find more information on the conditions for granting a residence permit for an entrepreneur on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service.
Residence permit for a startup entrepreneur
If you want to start a start-up company in Finland, you can apply for a Startup Entrepreneur Residence Permit, which is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs. To obtain this residence permit, you must have a specific business plan.
Documents for granting a residence permit for a startup entrepreneur are submitted in two stages:
- First you need to get approval for your startup project from Business Finland;
- Then you need to apply for a residence permit and personally visit the Finnish representation or the service point of the Migration Service to verify your identity.
This procedure is simplified as much as possible and does not take much time. First you need to get a positive opinion from the Business Finland Innovation Center. This business support organization will assess your business plan, competence and business development potential. You can electronically submit your business plan and required documents to Business Finland.
After you receive a positive opinion from Business Finland, you can apply to the Immigration Service to grant you a residence permit for a startup entrepreneur. The opinion issued by Business Finland is valid for two months. Attach it to the package of documents that you will submit to the Migration Agency.
You will not be able to obtain a residence permit for a startup entrepreneur in Finland without a positive opinion from Business Finland.
Watch also: Startup Visa in Finland: How to get it
Applying for a Finnish residence permit in Finland
You can apply for a residence permit for an entrepreneur or a residence permit for a start-up entrepreneur on the Enter Finland portal. After submitting the application, you need to visit the nearest Finnish representation in order to verify your identity and present the originals of the documents attached to the application. You must appear at the representative office within three months from the date of filing an application via the Internet. The application is accepted for processing only after your visit to the representative office. Usually it is necessary to make an appointment with the dealership in advance
Do not forget to periodically check your personal page on the Enter Finland portal. If the authorities need additional information, information about this will appear on your personal page.
Consideration of an application for a residence permit is a paid service. You need to make payment at the time of application.
