Finland Startup Permit

Finland has no digital nomad visa. The startup permit is a residence permit from the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) for founders who own a recently founded growth company, or are about to set one up, and who hold a positive Eligibility Statement from Business Finland (Migri).

• First permit: up to 2 years
• Money to live on: at least €1,210 a month net in the Helsinki area, less elsewhere, for the whole permit period
• Fee: €650 online or €800 on paper for a first permit
• Processing: 2 weeks in most cases
• Other work: Yes, alongside the startup, which must stay the main activity

Founders who can't get a positive statement can apply for Migri's residence permit for an entrepreneur instead; this site has no page for it yet. Visitor stays are covered in the Finland country guide.

Migri sets three conditions (Migri):

• A startup: the applicant owns a recently founded startup that aims for growth, or is about to establish one
• Business Finland approval: a positive Eligibility Statement, no more than four months old when the permit application is submitted
• Money: enough to live on for the entire permit period

Business Finland's own criteria for the statement (Business Finland):

• A team of at least two founders with varied expertise who plan to move to Finland
• The team holds at least 60% of the company
• Founders work full-time at the company
• An innovative business idea, distinct from existing solutions in global markets and able to grow
• Resources for the company's early stage and secure means for personal support

Family: Yes. Family members apply for their own residence permits on family ties.

Migri's list for a first application (Migri):

• A valid passport, a color copy of its personal data page and a passport photo no more than six months old
• The Eligibility Statement from Business Finland
• Proof of money to live on for at least one year, or two years for a two-year permit, such as bank statements or a funding decision

Migri's monthly net income levels for one adult (Migri):

• Espoo, Helsinki, Kauniainen and Vantaa: €1,210 a month
• Other large municipalities, such as Tampere, Turku and Oulu: €1,090 a month
• Other municipalities: €1,030 a month

Family members raise the amount. An extension application adds updated accounts for the current accounting period.

Migri's fees for the startup permit (Migri fee table):

• First permit: €650 online, €800 on paper
• Extended permit: €230 online, €430 on paper

The higher entrepreneur fees in the same table apply to the general entrepreneur permit, not to startup founders. Fees are paid when the application is submitted.

The bigger cost is the money to live on: at least €1,210 a month in the Helsinki area for each month of the permit, shown up front. Translations, travel to a Finnish mission and health insurance add to the bill.

First permit: apply from abroad online in Enter Finland (or on paper) and prove identity at a Finnish mission or visa center; extended permits only in Finland. A D visa can be requested at the same time (Migri).

1. One member of the founding team applies for the Eligibility Statement in Enter Finland and shares it with the rest of the team.
2. After a positive statement, each founder submits a residence permit application in Enter Finland within four months of the statement's date.
3. Pay the fee. Online applications cost less than paper ones.
4. Prove identity at a Finnish mission or visa center abroad.
5. Wait for the decision: 2 weeks in most cases (Migri). Migri also runs a fast track for startup entrepreneurs.

A D visa requested with the application lets the founder travel to Finland as soon as the permit is granted.

• First permit: up to 2 years. Migri asks for money for at least one year and grants two years when the funds cover two years (Migri).
• Extended permit: Apply in Finland for an extended permit, granted only for the period covered by proven, continuous income (for example from the start-up) and valid for up to 4 years. Startup work must still be the main activity.
• Permanent residence: Yes. The startup permit is a continuous (A) permit. For applications from Jan. 8, 2026: 6 years of A-permit residence with 2 years of work history and B1 Finnish or Swedish, or 4 years with taxable income of at least EUR 40,000 in the latest tax assessment (other 4-year paths exist) (Migri).

The permanent residence rules changed on Jan. 8, 2026. Applications filed before that date are decided under the earlier rules.

The startup permit carries no special tax regime. Finland's Tax Administration test: Resident if Finland is the permanent home, or if the stay in Finland lasts more than 6 months in a row (short trips abroad do not break it); exactly 6 months stays non-resident (Vero).

A resident is taxed in Finland on income from Finland and abroad. A nonresident is taxed only on income from Finland (Vero).

Founders who move to Finland on the permit will usually become resident. Anyone with income or a company abroad should check any tax treaty between Finland and their home country.