Working in Finland
For transparency, AI has been used during the generation of this content, with every care taken to verify its accuracy.
Average Salary
Finland offers competitive salaries across all industries, with workers earning an average gross salary of roughly €4,000 per month. Salaries in technical fields are notably higher; for example, professional engineers typically earn around €4,700 - €4,800 monthly, with actual earnings varying by experience level and the type of projects they work on.
General information
Currency
Euro (€)
Official language
Finnish Swedish
Conversational languages
English
Time zone
Winter period: Eastern European Time (UTC+02:00) Summer period: Eastern European Summer Time (UTC+03:00)
Common types of Employment or Contracting
The labour market in Finland offers a mix of standard employment and contracting arrangements, depending on the nature of the work and sector.
Common types of employment
Common types of contracting
Already secured a job overseas?
If you have secured an assignment but are unsure of where to start with setting up as a Freelancer or B2B contractor, please feel free to reach out to our International team for assistance.
Living in Finland
Finland offers a high standard of living, characterised by clean nature, efficient public services, and a strong sense of work-life balance. The country also enjoys a growing international community, especially in tech hubs, making it increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse. The cost of living is relatively high, particularly in major cities like Helsinki and Espoo, whereas smaller towns tend to be more affordable.
- The average cost of a weekly grocery shop for a small family is €90 - €120
- Monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment typically costs €1,000 - €1,300 in Helsinki, with accommodation in smaller cities being more affordable
- Childcare costs for public nurseries are roughly €228 - €388, depending on location and provider. Private nurseries may cost more, but many places are eligible for Kela subsidies.
- A litre of petrol costs around €1.70, and a litre of diesel is about €1.80
Vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road in Finland. Licences from EU/EEA countries remain valid indefinitely while residing in Finland, unless they expire. Licences from countries party to the Geneva or Vienna Conventions are also valid for a limited period. Those who hold licences from other countries usually have to pass both a theory and practical driving test to obtain a full Finnish licence, unless there’s a reciprocal agreement with their home country.
Weather in Finland
Finland has a cold, temperate climate with distinct seasons. Summers are generally mild, with average daytime highs ranging from 18°C to 22°C, and winters are cold and snowy, with average lows from -14°C to -4°C and daytime highs around -5°C to 0°C. Snow cover typically lasts several months in the north and part of the central region.
Language and integration support
Finland provides strong integration support for newcomers, focusing on learning Finnish or Swedish and understanding local society. Municipalities offer free language courses and mandatory civic orientation programmes covering rights, employment, education, and daily life. Organisations such as Luckan Integration provide mentorship, social activities, and guidance in multiple languages. These services help expatriates adapt quickly and participate fully in Finnish society.
For any translation needs - especially those required for work permit or visa applications - our dedicated Languages team is ready to support you. They provide accurate, timely translations and can guide you through the process to ensure all necessary documents meet the required standards.
Our services in Finland
Across the globe, we support energy and engineering companies with the international recruitment and global mobilisation solutions they need to extend their capability and grow their businesses.
Find out about our international services
Global mobility
NRL Recruitment simplifies international employee relocation with seamless global mobility services. From visa assistance to cultural onboarding, we ensure your staff transitions smoothly across borders, minimising disruption and maximising productivity.
Payroll solutions
Managing payroll across multiple countries can be complex, but our payroll solutions make it simple. We handle accurate, compliant compensation for your global workforce, ensuring employees are paid correctly and on time, every time.
Global Employer of Record
With our global Employer of Record services, you can legally employ staff overseas without establishing local entities. We manage compliance, contracts, and HR administration, giving you the freedom to expand globally with confidence and ease.
International recruitment
Finding the right talent worldwide is effortless with our international recruitment solutions. We connect your business with top-tier professionals, managing the end-to-end hiring process so you can focus on growth and strategic priorities.
