Documents needed to open an account at any bank:
More details on obtaining these documents can be found via the link.
IMPORTANT! Even if you are moving soon, provide your current DVV-registered address to the bank. It’s easier to request mail forwarding from Posti than to wait 20 days for the DVV address update and then go to the bank.
- Passport
- Resident permit
- SSN, also known as personal ID or tunnus
- Registration with DVV (temporary address is acceptable)
- Finnish ID (issued by the police). This is needed to obtain bank codes and can be provided later.
More details on obtaining these documents can be found via the link.
IMPORTANT! Even if you are moving soon, provide your current DVV-registered address to the bank. It’s easier to request mail forwarding from Posti than to wait 20 days for the DVV address update and then go to the bank.
Now let's review individual banks:
S-pankki
Pros:
— Few rejections.
— Free service when you apply for a bonus card.
— They will open an account for your spouse, even if they are unemployed. You can create a family account for shared purchases, which is convenient since frequent transfers may raise questions with tax authorities and could be considered gifts (non-taxable up to €5000).
— You can open an account without an appointment.
— Cashback on purchases in S-stores, including Prisma and gas stations. The bonus card is issued for a deposit, typically €100 as advised by consultants. The deposit is returned upon contract termination.
— The bonus system includes Viking Line (ferries).
— Adding cards to Google Pay and Apple Pay is supported.
Cons:
— If you mention that you’ll be changing your address, they’ll open a standard account with a €15/month fee, without bank codes or bonuses.
— If your spouse cannot respond in English, a Finnish translator will be required.
— Everything is in Finnish, including documents and the app. Signing documents is at your own risk.
— It takes about a week to receive the code card and a few more days to receive the PIN, which often arrives by mail.
— Long waits without an appointment are possible.
S-pankki
Pros:
— Few rejections.
— Free service when you apply for a bonus card.
— They will open an account for your spouse, even if they are unemployed. You can create a family account for shared purchases, which is convenient since frequent transfers may raise questions with tax authorities and could be considered gifts (non-taxable up to €5000).
— You can open an account without an appointment.
— Cashback on purchases in S-stores, including Prisma and gas stations. The bonus card is issued for a deposit, typically €100 as advised by consultants. The deposit is returned upon contract termination.
— The bonus system includes Viking Line (ferries).
— Adding cards to Google Pay and Apple Pay is supported.
Cons:
— If you mention that you’ll be changing your address, they’ll open a standard account with a €15/month fee, without bank codes or bonuses.
— If your spouse cannot respond in English, a Finnish translator will be required.
— Everything is in Finnish, including documents and the app. Signing documents is at your own risk.
— It takes about a week to receive the code card and a few more days to receive the PIN, which often arrives by mail.
— Long waits without an appointment are possible.
OP
Pros:
— You can submit an account opening application online in advance. A consultant will call back within 1-2 weeks and schedule a bank appointment.
— App, website, and documents are available in English.
— Bank codes are issued during the bank visit and can be used immediately.
— It’s possible to transfer money from your Russian account (non-sanctioned banks).
— If you have an appointment, account opening takes ~30 minutes.
— Free service if you are under 26 years old.
— The bank offers its own insurance, which is more advantageous for clients.
— The card can be added to Google/Apple Pay.
Cons:
— Long wait times for an appointment. If you fill out the application online, they may call back after 2 weeks and schedule a bank visit another 2 weeks or more later. It’s better to book an appointment yourself.
— Employment documents are required.
— They may refuse to open an account for unemployed spouses.
— The card takes 2-3 weeks to be ready (but codes are issued immediately).
Pros:
— You can submit an account opening application online in advance. A consultant will call back within 1-2 weeks and schedule a bank appointment.
— App, website, and documents are available in English.
— Bank codes are issued during the bank visit and can be used immediately.
— It’s possible to transfer money from your Russian account (non-sanctioned banks).
— If you have an appointment, account opening takes ~30 minutes.
— Free service if you are under 26 years old.
— The bank offers its own insurance, which is more advantageous for clients.
— The card can be added to Google/Apple Pay.
Cons:
— Long wait times for an appointment. If you fill out the application online, they may call back after 2 weeks and schedule a bank visit another 2 weeks or more later. It’s better to book an appointment yourself.
— Employment documents are required.
— They may refuse to open an account for unemployed spouses.
— The card takes 2-3 weeks to be ready (but codes are issued immediately).
Nordea
Pros:
— Service and app available in English.
— The card can be added to Google/Apple Pay.
Cons:
— Account opening can take up to a month.
Pros:
— Service and app available in English.
— The card can be added to Google/Apple Pay.
Cons:
— Account opening can take up to a month.
Danske
Pros:
— Account is opened immediately without issues if you have a job.
— Bank codes are issued within a week, and the card is sent in ~2 weeks.
— English support is available, and the app is in English.
— The card can be added to Google/Apple Pay.
Cons:
— They may refuse to open an account if you are unemployed.
Pros:
— Account is opened immediately without issues if you have a job.
— Bank codes are issued within a week, and the card is sent in ~2 weeks.
— English support is available, and the app is in English.
— The card can be added to Google/Apple Pay.
Cons:
— They may refuse to open an account if you are unemployed.
Neobanks — Revolut, Wise, N26, Bunq, Curve Mobile Bank
— To register, you usually only need a Finnish residence permit and a phone number.
— You need to make separate arrangements with your employer to receive your salary on such a card.
— To register, you usually only need a Finnish residence permit and a phone number.
— You need to make separate arrangements with your employer to receive your salary on such a card.
