Welcome to the Welcome Fair and the Orientation Course Site of New International Students of the University of Helsinki

Living in FInland

Cost of Living

Permits

Housing

Travel (Travel in Helsinki area and in Finland, student discounts)

Student Health Care

Climate and clothing

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Cost of Living

The cost of living in Helsinki is in average €670 - 950 / month, including student dormitory housing.

Approximate costs in one month (March 2011):

Permits

Citizens of the Nordic countries: Citizens of the Nordic countries do not need a residence permit in Finland.

Citizens of EU/EEA countries: Citizens of EU/EEA countries do not need a residence permit or visa, but they need to apply for a right to reside in Finland at the local police station within three months of arrival.  More information on Right to reside in Finland >>.

Citizens of Third countries (non-EU/EEA countries or Nordic Countries): Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries must apply for visa and a residence permit beforehand at the nearest Finnish embassy or consulate. It is usually not possible to issue one in Finland. A student residence permit includes a work permit for a maximum of 25 hours a week and full-time during holidays.

Third-country national means a person who is not a citizen of either one of the EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland. Students from Quebec, Canada are also exempt from the health insurance requirement.

Health Insurance Policy for Residence Permit
The type of health insurance policy depends on the duration of studies in Finland, which, in turn, affects the right to domicile in Finland

Information and Application for residence permit is available on website of the Finnish Immigration Service (www.migri.fi)

The nearest Finnish Embassies or Consulates on website (www.formin.finland)

• click Diplomatic missions
• click Finnish missions abroad by country.

Housing

Housing Options and Housing Providers (some of the providers)

• HOAS Foundation for Student Housing in Helsinki region
  • Student dormitory and Residence Hall housing.
• Lyyra Housing Service
  • Lyyra Housing Service functions only on internet.
  • Focus is on private market housing.
• Other options:
  • Vuokraturva: Real estate agency that specializes in mediating rental apartments and buying investment apartments.
  • Infobank: Information in 15 languages, information also on housing.

Student Union > Daily Life> Accommodation

Need a Roof?: The HYY Guide for House Hunters.

Housing Period

IMPORTANT: Housing is for Fixed-Period and the fixed period housing agreements can’t be changed. The shortest period for housing agreement is one full month.

Travel

Travelling in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area with a Travel Card

Travel Card can be used on public transport services in Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen, Vantaa, Kerava and Kirkkonummi. With Travel Card you can travel seamlessly from one city to another, transfer from bus to commuter train and also use the metro, tram and Suomenlinna ferry services in Helsinki.

Students who use a personal Travel Card are, under certain conditions, entitled to purchase tickets at a reduced rate. The discount is applicable for internal and regional period and value tickets. University undergraduate and graduate students 17–29 years old are entitled to a personal Travel Card with a student discount. Website www.hsl.fi/en

All undergraduate and graduate students are granted a discounts on long distance coaches (www.matkahuolto.fi/en/), trains (www.vr.fi/eng/  and ferries. Discounts with LYYRA Card.

oaches ( trains (  and ferries. Discounts with LYYRA Card.

More information on travelling in Helsinki Metropolitan area and in Finland on Orientation Course.

Student Health Care

Finnish Student Health Service: All undergraduate and graduate students who are members of the Student Union are entitled to use the services of the Student Health Care Foundation.

Specialized medical care, dentists and mental care are available for a modest fee; GP's reception is free of charge. Please note the Student Health Care is not a Health insurance. The Student Health Care Centre functions during week days between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. You will get more information on Student Health Care on the Orientation Course, in the Orientation Handbook. The Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) on web.

Climate and Clothing

The annual changes in temperature are of crucial importance for Finland's climate. Finland’s climate is milder than that of many other areas of the same latitude. However, owing to the humid atmosphere and sea winds, it always feels colder in Helsinki than the temperature might suggest. Although the temperature may on some days exceed even 30 °C in the warmest summer months, in southern Finland the long-term average is between 14 and 18 °C for July and between -6 and -13 °C for February.

The ground is covered with snow three to five months in the south and up to seven months in the north. The average depth of the snow varies between twenty and eighty centimetres and lakes are frozen six months a year. During the summer, it never really gets dark, and in the north, the sun does not set. In the winter, the days are six hours long in the south, and in the north, the sun cannot be seen for two months (kaamos).

4 different seasons mark the climate of Finland; autumn, winter, spring and summer.

More information on climate >>

Clothing and Shoes

Bring warm, rain- and wind- proof outdoor clothing as well as some lighter clothing for warmer seasons.

Shoes and Boots: At least one pair of comfortable walking shoes is a must. In order to withstand slush, snow, sleet and rain as well as the sand and salt used on icy sidewalks and roads, winter boots should be waterproof, warm, light-weight and stain repellent.