Register with the authorities: degree students

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By selecting a degree programme you are able to see the general content as well as the possible degree programme-specific content. You do not have to select a degree programme to see the Open University's instructions.

After arriving in Finland you will have to register with a few relevant authorities within a certain period of time.

The instructions on this page concern degree students. If you are an exchange student or a visiting student, please see page Register with the authorities: exchange and visiting students.

How to register

When your studies in Finland last over a year, you should register with a municipality of residence (domicile) at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).

  • Acquiring a permanent address and place of domicile entitles you to enjoy municipal benefits, including a student discount with HSL (public transport) and the right to use municipal health care (if your studies last at least two years).
  • By registering in the Finnish Population System you will also receive a personal identity code, assuming you haven’t been assigned it by MIGRI.
  • The personal identity code is compulsory to have in case your stay lasts at least three months (obliged by the University of Helsinki) and it is needed for various services in Finland, eg. opening a bank account.
  • Please see here below citizenship specific guidelines.

To register at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency you need to first apply for registration online. When you visit DVV you must have with you:

  • your valid passport or EU citizen’s official identity card with a photograph
  • your residence permit card or some other proof that you have entered Finland legally
  • certificate of student status (can be obtained from your Sisu profile)

Visit the Digital and Population Data Services Agency's website for more information and to book an appointment. We recommend that you book an appointment already before hand from abroad.

Please note that DVV will be present at the Check-In Event and you should register with them there, unless you arrive well before or after the Check-In Event.

Once you have received your Finnish personal identity code ("Henkilötunnus" in Finnish) please remember to update it in the student register. You can do it by sending your code from your helsinki.fi email address to international-studentinfo@helsinki.fi.s (the .s is for secure mail).

Degree students coming from the Nordic countries

Degree students coming from EU/EEA countries

  • Citizens of EU/EEA countries do not need a residence permit or visa, but you need to first apply for EU registration at the Finnish Immigration Service MIGRI and then register with a municipality of residence (domicile) at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV). When you apply for your EU registration at Migri, please apply also for a personal identity code at the same time.
  • You should register at DVV by submitting their online form to get a municipality of residence. If you already completed your registration at Migri you do not need to visit DVV separately. You will receive a confirmation email from DVV when your registration has been processed.
  • Please note that you can get the student discount for your public transport ticket only once you have completed these steps.

NB! There may be long queues at MIGRI and therefore you might want to first register your address temporarily at the DVV in order receive the prices of a local resident for your public transport ticket (HSL). You can apply to register for a personal identity code and temporary address by submitting DVV's form online and then visiting DVV (book an appointment for DVV in their reservation system) to identify yourself. After this you will need to still complete the steps mentioned above to receive the student discount for your public transport ticket

We recommend that you reserve your appointment at Migri and DVV already from abroad.

Degree students coming from non-EU/EEA countries