Housing in Finland

Finding a Place to Live

When moving to Finland for work, one of the first things you’ll need is a place to live. There are different housing options available depending on your location, budget, and preferences.

Most people rent apartments or rooms. In bigger cities like Helsinki or Tampere, housing may be more expensive and competitive, while smaller towns often offer more affordable options.

You can choose between:

Private rental apartments
Shared apartments or rooms
Short-term housing (e.g. Airbnb or temporary rentals)

Furnished apartments are less common, so it’s good to be prepared to buy or bring some basic furniture.

How to Find Housing

Here are trusted and commonly used ways to search for apartments:

Online portals
Vuokraovi.com
Oikotie.fi (No official Englsih translation)
Tori.fi (for private listings, no official English translation)
Facebook groups
Try searching: “Apartments in Helsinki”, “Vuokra-asunnot [city name]”, or international communities in Finland.
Local housing agencies
Some cities have municipal housing companies offering rental homes at reasonable prices.
Private landlords and agencies
You can rent directly or with help from rental companies (some offer services in English).

What Documents Do You Need to Rent a Home?

To successfully apply for an apartment, you usually need the following:

Passport or official ID
Residence permit or registration of right to reside in Finland
Employment contract or proof of income
Finnish personal identity code (you get this after registering your address)
Bank account (in some cases needed for deposit and rent payments)
Security deposit (usually 1–3 months’ rent)

Tip: Always read the rental agreement carefully before signing. Most agreements are for 12 months, and breaking them early can result in extra costs unless otherwise agreed.

What to Know About Living in Finland

Heating and water are usually included in the rent, but sometimes billed separately.
Internet is not always included – you’ll need to make your own contract.
Laundry and sauna are often shared services in apartment buildings.
Public transport is reliable, so you don’t always need to live in the city center.

Housing is generally clean, safe, and well-maintained across Finland.

Practical Tips for Foreign Applicants

Don’t worry if you don’t speak Finnish – many landlords or agencies accept communication in English.
Prepare digital versions of your documents – it helps when applying online.
If possible, ask a Finnish-speaking friend or colleague to review rental offers with you.
Never pay money before visiting the apartment or receiving a valid rental agreement – beware of scams on unofficial sites.