Setting up a bank account is one of the very first and most crucial tasks to handle when you arrive in Finland. It’s not just about receiving your salary; your bank account acts as a digital key that unlocks almost every public and private service in the country.
To open a Finnish bank account, most banks will ask for the following:
• A valid passport (EU or non-EU)
• Your residence permit
• ID card (henkilökortti)
• A Finnish personal identity number (henkilötunnus / tunnus)
• DVV registration, even if it’s tied to a temporary address
• Your residence permit
• ID card (henkilökortti)
• A Finnish personal identity number (henkilötunnus / tunnus)
• DVV registration, even if it’s tied to a temporary address
💡 Pro tip: when you register at the bank, always provide the same address that’s currently recorded in DVV, even if you plan to move soon. It’s much faster to set up mail forwarding through Posti than to wait several weeks (sometimes over 20 days) for your new address to update in DVV before you can proceed with your banking.
You can usually open an account without the Finnish ID card (henkilökortti) from the police, but you’ll need to provide it later to receive your online banking credentials.
Major banks in Finland:
• Nordea
• OP
• Danske Bank
• S-Pankki
• OP
• Danske Bank
• S-Pankki
Each has slightly different requirements and onboarding steps. If one bank delays or declines your application, don’t get discouraged, try another branch! The decision often depends on the individual staff member handling your case
Why “strong authentication” matters:
Once your account is set up, you’ll receive your online banking credentials (verkkopankkitunnukset). These aren’t just for checking your balance, they’re your digital ID for logging in securely to a wide range of essential services, including:
• Kela (social benefits)
• Migri (immigration and residence matters)
• Tax Administration (vero.fi)
• TE Office (employment services)
• Healthcare portals
• Signing online contracts, rental agreements, and more
• Migri (immigration and residence matters)
• Tax Administration (vero.fi)
• TE Office (employment services)
• Healthcare portals
• Signing online contracts, rental agreements, and more
Your bank ID works like a digital passport within Finland, without it, you’ll find it nearly impossible to handle official matters smoothly.
Community tip: open your bank account as soon as possible. Doing it early will save you time, reduce stress, and make settling into life in Finland much easier.
