Finland Residence for Startup Entrepreneurs

The Finland Residence Permit for Startup Entrepreneurs offers current or prospective business founders the opportunity to live and work in Finland while developing innovative startups. Applicants can initially obtain a renewable residence permit valid for 2 years, with fast-track processing available in as little as two weeks.

Founders must demonstrate sufficient financial resources for the duration of the permit – at least €1,030-€1,210 per month (depending on location), equivalent to approximately €24,720-€29,040 over 24 months, in the form of savings, income from the business, or external funding.

To qualify for the Finland Residence Permit for Startup Entrepreneurs, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Actively Managing a Startup Company

Applicants must either establish a new startup company in Finland or own an existing startup aiming for growth. The company must meet the eligibility criteria set by Business Finland.

• Eligibility Statement from Business Finland

Obtain a positive Eligibility Statement from Business Finland before applying for the residence permit. This statement ensures that your business idea is innovative, scalable, and meets Finland’s startup ecosystem standards.

• Sufficient Financial Resources

Applicants must demonstrate a minimum monthly income of €1,030-€1,210, depending on their location, and provide proof of financial resources for the entire duration of the residence permit.

• General Residence Permit Requirements

Applicants must meet standard requirements for residence permits, such as having a valid passport, legal residency in the country of application, and no criminal record.

More Features:

• Fast-track Processing: Receive your residence permit in as little as two weeks with the fast-track service.

• D Visa Option: Applicants can also apply for a D visa, which allows immediate travel to Finland after permit approval.

• Flexibility: While the primary focus is on running the startup, applicants are allowed to engage in other work in Finland.

• Freedom of movement and eventually settlement in the EU
• Path to citizenship
• Short processing time
• High safety
• English widely spoken
• Enhanced access to large economies
• No investment or donation requirement

Finland offers a clear path to citizenship for startup entrepreneurs:

• Residency Period: Applicants must reside in Finland for at least 4 years on a continuous fixed-term residence permit to qualify for permanent residency.
• Language and Integration Requirements: Citizenship applicants must demonstrate basic proficiency in Finnish or Swedish and meet integration requirements.
• Time to Citizenship: After meeting the residency requirements (generally 5 years of continuous residence or 7 years of cumulative residence), applicants can apply for Finnish citizenship, which provides visa-free access to over 190 countries worldwide.

Browse 195 countries’ paths to citizenship in the hyper-detailed IMI Citizenship Catalog.

Applications for this program may be directed to The Finland Residence Permit for Startup Entrepreneurs is administered by the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) in collaboration with Business Finland, which evaluates the business viability and issues the required Eligibility Statement.

Legislation upon which this program is based Finland’s Aliens Act.