Moving to Finland with Family

We recommend applying for housing early, as availability can be limited. Both HOAS and SATO offer apartments that are suitable for students living with their families.

HOAS Student housing (also for families)

SATO Student apartments (also for families)

Please check also other options from the guide for newcomers which is provided by International House Helsinki: 

International House Helsinki - Housing in Helsinki

International students can apply for residence permits for their family members so they can live together in Finland during their studies. For the most accurate and up‑to‑date guidance, please check the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) website. If you have any questions about residence permits, please contact Migri directly.

Student's family members (Migri)

When you receive a residence permit for Finland, your details are added to the Finnish Population Information System and you are given a Finnish personal identity code. If you move to Finland for at least one year, you can apply for a municipality of residence through the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV). Having a municipality of residence gives access to local public services, such as municipal healthcare, childcare, and schools, as well as other everyday city services.

Registering as a resident

DVV website

Finland is known for its strong public education system, with comprehensive schooling and early childhood education widely accessible to families. Everyone has the right to free basic education, and cities/municipalities provide childcare and schooling for both Finnish and international families. Early childhood education focuses on play, well‑being and development, and compulsory comprehensive school begins at age seven. 

It is also common for children to walk to school or play outside independently, and for babies to nap outdoors in their prams, as fresh air is considered beneficial.

Childcare and education in Helsinki

Childcare and education in Espoo

Childcare and education in Vantaa

Primary and lower secondary education

Family members can use Finnish public healthcare once they have a Finnish personal identity code and are registered with a municipality of residence through DVV. Local health stations provide basic medical care, and families with young children can also access maternity and child health clinic (neuvola) services. Older children in primary and secondary education receive free school health care through their school’s student health services, which monitor their growth, development, and overall wellbeing. 

In urgent situations, families in Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa can call the regional Medical Helpline 116 117 for guidance or dial 112 in life‑threatening emergencies.

Health and social services in Helsinki

Health and social services in Espoo

Health and social services in Vantaa

Spouse Program

The Spouse Program (run via International House Helsinki) supports international spouses living in Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa with community activities, networking (and career‑related support for residents of Helsinki).

International House Helsinki's Spouse Program (for residents of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa)

Language courses & integration support for adults

Adults can study Finnish or Swedish through local adult education centres in the Helsinki capital region. The Finnish Adult Education Centre in Helsinki offers affordable Finnish courses and newcomer support. In Espoo, Omnia provides Finnish courses at different levels and study counselling, while the Vantaa Adult Education Centre offers Finnish courses, including free “Startti” courses for immigrants. Eligible newcomers may also access regional integration training, which includes language studies and working‑life skills across Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen and Vantaa.

For immigrants - The Finnish Adult Education Centre in Helsinki

Finnish as a second language courses - Espoo Adult Education Centre (Omnia)

Education for immigrants - Vantaa Adult Education Centre

Finnish-language integration training in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area

Community support for immigrant mothers

Two organisations offer low‑threshold support to help immigrant mothers build local connections and navigate everyday life in Finland. MLL’s Friend for an Immigrant Mum program matches immigrant mothers with volunteer Finnish mothers for friendship and support. Naapuriäidit (Neighbourhood Mothers) brings together immigrant women to strengthen social networks, share experiences, and participate in community activities.

Friend for an immigrant mum

Neighbourhood mothers

Employment support for spouses/partners

Spouses and partners living in Helsinki can receive general guidance on job searching and working in Finland via International House Helsinki. For personalised employment services, they should use the services offered by their own city of residence (Espoo or Vantaa).

Career support for Helsinki residents - Spouse Program

Employment, entrepreneurship, and livelihood in Espoo

Employment services for integration client in Vantaa

Winter

Finland’s winter is long, cold and often slippery, so warm layers, waterproof outerwear and good‑grip winter boots (or ice cleats for adults) help families stay safe and comfortable. Younger children typically need winter overalls, wool layers and warm accessories, and spending time outdoors during daylight helps everyone adjust to the short winter days. Wind can make temperatures feel much colder, so checking the “feels like” temperature in a weather app is useful.

Spring, Summer & Autumn

Spring and autumn are often wet and chilly, making waterproof shoes and reliable rain gear helpful for everyday life. Finnish summers are usually mild, but UV levels can be surprisingly strong even on cooler days, so checking a weather or UV app helps you know when sun protection is needed.

Where to buy?

Affordable second‑hand adults' and children’s clothing, shoes and other family items can be found on Facebook Marketplace, Tori.fi (in Finnish) and Vinted.

What to wear in Finland during winter?

How to Dress Your Kids for Finnish Cold Weather

How to survive Helsinki winter: 7 tips

You can quickly check Finland’s local weather, warnings, UV index and “feels like” temperatures on the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) website or download their app.

Finnish Meteorological Institute

If your family will be living in the Helsinki capital region (Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa), each city provides its own newcomer pages with practical information on housing, childcare, schooling, healthcare, local services, and everyday life:

Welcome to Helsinki

Welcome to Espoo

Welcome to Vantaa
 

Cost of living in Finland

Overview of typical monthly expenses, housing, transport and everyday costs for couples and families.

Cost of living in Finland

Public transport & getting around

The capital region’s HSL journey planner makes it easy to navigate Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa. Children under 7 travel for free, and children aged 7–17 pay a discounted child fare. In addition, one adult travelling with a child in a stroller or pram rides for free. You can buy and use tickets conveniently through the HSL app, which offers all ticket types including child tickets.

Journey Planner, tickets and fares, customer service - HSL

Public libraries, hobbies & family activities

Helmet libraries across the Helsinki capital region offer free books, events, digital resources and equipment, as well as activities suitable for people of all ages and different types of families and households.

Helmet libraries

Daily life essentials

InfoFinland offers multilingual guidance on banking, shopping, local services and everyday life in Finland.

InfoFinland