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Checklist for workers coming to Finland

In Finland, laws and collective agreements define the rights and obligations of employees and employers, i.e. the terms and conditions of employment. In Finland, foreign employees have the same rights and responsibilities as Finnish employees.

Last updated: March 24, 2026

Join the trade union

In Finland, the majority of employees belong to the trade union of their sector. You also have the right to join a trade union when you come to work in Finland.
The trade union will help you if you have any problems with your employer.
Trade unions negotiate with employers on the terms of employment. This means that the rules governing work have been agreed on your behalf.
Trade union members usually also join an unemployment fund. If you become unemployed, an unemployment fund pays you an earnings-dependent unemployment benefit.

If you’re not sure which trade union to join, you can ask SAK’s employee rights hotline. You can also search for your union at Liitot.fi.

Please note that membership in an unemployment fund alone does not entitle you to services provided by a trade union, such as assistance in case of problems.

Learn more about union membership.

Check if you need a residence permit for your work

If you want to work in Finland, see what permits you need for staying and working in Finland. You can also find the information in the Finnish Immigration Service Application Finder. If you are not a citizen of Finland or the EU, you will usually need a residence permit that entitles you to work.
You will need to prove to your employer that you have the right to work in Finland. Your employer can take a copy of your passport and your residence permit, but they may not keep them unless you want to leave them with your employer for safekeeping.
Municipal or regional employment services help you find a job. Many workplaces require a minimum knowledge of the Finnish language.

Job Market Finland
InfoFinland: Work and entrepreneurship

Don not pay for a job

Never pay to get a job. It is against the law in Finland for employers to request money from employees in order to give them a job.

Have a written employment contract

Once you get a job, sign a written employment contract with your employer. An agreement that is orally agreed upon is binding, but if you experience any problems with the employer, a written agreement can be consulted to see what was agreed upon at the beginning of the employment relationship.

Read more about employment contracts and the things they agree on in Starting work > Have a written employment contract.

Open a bank account

Wages must be paid into a bank account. Wages can only be paid in cash for a compelling reason. Such a reason may be that the employee does not have a bank account. Bank accounts are personal.

When you open an account, you need a passport or other official identity document. Opening an account is easier if you have a Finnish personal identity code. You can apply for an identity code from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. See the Digital and Population Data Services Agency website for detailed instructions on how to apply for a personal identity code. Check with your bank to see what other documents you will need to open a bank account.

InfoFinland: Everyday life in Finland

Check that you are receiving wages in accordance with your collective agreement

Finland does not have a statutory minimum wage. Collective agreements determine the minimum wage for different jobs. The wages specified in collective agreements apply to all employees in the applicable sector who work in Finland. Read more about wages and collective agreements.

Unpaid internships are only legal in Finland if they are offered through an official educational institution or local employment authority. Read more about internships.

An employee’s suitability for a job can be assessed during a paid probationary period. Read more about the probationary period.

Check that statutory fees are being deducted from your pay

When you receive your payslip, check that statutory taxes and social security contributions have been deducted from your gross pay:

Taxes: Your tax card shows the percentage of tax withheld from your pay. It tells you the percentage of tax deducted from your pay. When you start a new job, your employer must obtain your tax card either from the Tax Administration or directly from you. You will receive a tax deduction card from the Tax Administration when you have a Finnish personal identity code.
Employee’s pension fee: When you work in Finland, your wages contribute to your pension. Your employer deducts your pension contribution from your salary and pays your pension insurance. If an employer fails to do so, they are breaking the law.
Unemployment insurance contribution: All employees 18–64 years of age pay an unemployment insurance contribution.
Employee’s health insurance contribution: Health insurance contributions consist of medical care contributions and daily allowance contributions.
Trade union membership fee: When you are a trade union member, you can agree with your employer that your union membership fee will be deducted from your pay. You can also pay it directly to your trade union. The membership fee is usually 1–1.6 per cent of your pay, depending on which union you belong to.

If you are working in Finland temporarily, your taxes and social security contributions may be different from those listed above.

A more detailed description of the payslip
Tax Administration: Work in Finland

Record your working hours

Always write down when and how many hours you have worked. It’s important to keep track of your working hours. It lets you make sure that you are paid correctly. If you have any disputes with your employer about your pay or other employment-related issues, your record of your working hours is proof of the hours you have worked.

Take care of your safety

Your employer must provide you with training for your job and advise you on what to be aware of in terms of workplace safety. Your employer must also pay accident insurance that compensates for any damages and losses to an employee or their family in the event of work accidents or occupational disease.

Learn more about occupational safety.

Checklist for workers coming to Finland

On this page

Join the trade union

Check if you need a residence permit for your work

Read more

Don not pay for a job

Have a written employment contract

Open a bank account

Read more

Check that you are receiving wages in accordance with your collective agreement

Check that statutory fees are being deducted from your pay

Read more

Record your working hours

Take care of your safety

Other helpful links