Leaving Finland: What You Need to Do Before Moving
Before leaving the country, you must notify DVV of your move and, if you receive benefits or hold an EHIC card, Kela as well. Leaving Finland is not completed on its own: without notification, outdated data remain in the register, which later complicates resolving matters in the country.
DVV distinguishes between a temporary and a permanent move. If you leave for less than a year, your municipality of residence is retained, and your rights and obligations remain. If the move is permanent, kotikunta is lost. Kela benefits cease on the day of your departure in the case of a permanent move.
Our experience at International Law Firm "Zahist" shows that the greatest problems arise for those who left without notifying anyone. Later, demands to repay benefits or documents arrive at the old address. Below, we explain what you need to do before moving from Finland and in what order.
Temporary or permanent move: what DVV decides
Your status and rights depend on how you indicate the nature of the move. DVV treats a departure of less than one year as temporary, and the notification must state the date of return. In that case, your municipality of residence remains the same.
| Situation | What happens to kotikunta |
| Departure for less than a year | Temporary move; kotikunta is retained |
| Special case with a closer connection to Finland | May be temporary for up to three years |
| Departure for more than three years | This is permanent emigration |
| Other cases | The move is permanent; kotikunta ends |
After a permanent move, you lose the right to vote in municipal elections, and rights and obligations linked to the municipality cease to apply. Therefore, before completing the notification, honestly assess how long you will be away. A mistake on this point is costly.
Notifying DVV of a move abroad
A notification of the move is mandatory for the person leaving. It is submitted through the joint online service of DVV and Posti, and Finnish online banking codes or a mobile certificate are required to log in. DVV emphasises that it cannot correct the data in the register later. A foreign address should always be provided, as this allows Finnish authorities to contact you more quickly, including regarding pension decisions. DVV also notes that this speeds up obtaining a passport. If you are moving to another Nordic country, a separate procedure applies.
From our clients’ practice: the most common mistake is choosing the wrong type of move. People leave “for a year” and stay for several years, and the register no longer matches reality. If your plans change, submit a new notification rather than waiting for someone else to do it.
Kela benefits when leaving the country
Leaving may affect your entitlement to Kela benefits. Three factors are decisive: the length of your stay abroad, the destination country, and the reason for departure. Kela considers each case separately after you submit your notification.
| Situation | How this affects Kela benefits |
| Temporarily in the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom | Benefits can usually continue if the move is recognised as temporary |
| Temporarily in another country, up to 6 months | Benefits usually continue as if you were residing in Finland |
| More than 6 months in another country | The move is generally considered permanent; benefits cease |
| Permanent move | Benefits cease on the day of departure |
| Starting work in the EU, EEA, or Switzerland | Entitlement to Kela benefits generally ends |
Some benefits are affected even by short trips, for example toimeentulotuki and the child home care allowance. For the latter, Kela allows the child to stay abroad for up to three months.
If OmaKela is unavailable, form Y 38e can be sent by post to Kela, PL 10, 00056 KELA. After the notification, Kela will determine whether it considers the move temporary. Residence history, current circumstances, repeated stays, and family ties are reviewed.
Kela also advises keeping social security agreements between countries in mind. Separate rules apply to some destinations, including regarding medical care. Therefore, before moving to a country outside the EU, check the conditions for that destination with Kela.
What to do before departure: a practical checklist
Besides DVV and Kela, there are a number of matters that are best closed before departure. They depend on your situation, so below we provide only a general guide, not an exhaustive list.
| When | What to do |
| 2–3 months in advance | Decide whether the move is temporary or permanent, and check the impact on benefits |
| 1–2 months in advance | Notify your employer and landlord, and check contract deadlines |
| 2–4 weeks in advance | Notify your bank, insurer, and service providers |
| Before departure | Submit notifications to DVV and Kela, and leave contact details |
| After the move | Check that the changes are reflected in the registers |
From our clients’ practice: it is useful to make a list of the institutions where you are registered. This includes the bank, insurer, telecommunications operator, school or daycare, doctor, and the tax authority. That way, you will not forget to notify someone at the final stage.
Bank, contracts, taxes, and other obligations
Leaving affects not only the register but also your contracts. Tenancy agreements, employment relationships, loans, and insurance have their own notice periods. Contracts not closed in time lead to debts and penalties that later have to be paid from abroad.
- Tenancy agreement: check the notice period for termination.
- Employment contract: agree the last working day and the final settlement.
- Bank: notify them of the change of address and decide whether to keep the account.
- Insurance: check whether the policy is valid abroad.
- Taxes: check with the Tax Administration, Vero, how the move will affect your tax return.
- Post: arrange mail forwarding if needed.
We recommend asking Vero or a lawyer about the tax consequences of the move, because the rules depend on income and status. Tax residence is determined separately from kotikunta. We do not set out specific deadlines or amounts here that we have not verified in official sources.
Residence permit and temporary protection upon departure
For Ukrainians with temporary protection, departure has additional consequences. Status and the permit depend on how long you remain outside Finland and whether you submit a notification. The specific rules are set by Migri, so before leaving, check the conditions for your particular permit.
If you intend to return, it is worth keeping documents on residence and the contact details of the authorities. This will simplify re-registration. We have written about a change of address and kotikunta in separate articles, and they may be useful during preparation.
Medical care and the EHIC during the move
If you are insured in Finland, Kela may issue a European Health Insurance Card, the EHIC. It applies when you are temporarily staying in an EU or EEA country. After a permanent move, medical care depends on the rules of the new country, so find this out in advance.
Do not remain without insurance in the first weeks after the move. Check in advance exactly when coverage begins in the new country. Also notify Kela if you hold an EHIC card and plan to stay abroad for more than three months.
Common mistakes when leaving Finland
Most mistakes arise from haste or unfamiliarity with the rules. Here are those we see most often.
- Leaving without notifying the DVV, which leaves the register data outdated.
- Failing to provide a foreign address, so official letters do not arrive.
- Choosing the wrong type of move: temporary instead of permanent, or vice versa.
- Failing to notify Kela, and later being required to repay benefits.
- Travelling for a long period while receiving toimeentulotuki or home care allowance.
- Leaving rental, telecommunications, and insurance contracts open.
Some of these mistakes can be corrected, but not always. It is therefore better to submit the notification on time and keep proof of submission.
Why it is difficult to arrange departure on your own
The rules of the DVV, Kela, Vero, and Migri differ, and the consequences of a mistake appear later. The interfaces are partly available only in Finnish and Swedish, and logging in requires Finnish online banking codes. For someone who has already left, this is an additional barrier.
In addition, each authority assesses your departure according to its own criteria. A lawyer helps draw up a single plan so that moving from Finland takes place without debts, repayment claims, or lost rights.
On your own or with International Law Firm "Zahist": a comparison
| Criterion | On your own | With International Law Firm "Zahist" |
| Type of move | You choose it yourself based on the DVV description | Analysis of your situation and the consequences of the choice |
| Notifications to the DVV and Kela | You submit them separately | Preparation and review of the notifications |
| Benefits | You study the conditions of each benefit | Assessment of the impact of departure on your benefits |
| Residence permit | You look for answers at Migri | Advice on your status |
| Problems after departure | You resolve them from abroad | Preparation of appeals and support |
We do not guarantee decisions by public authorities, as they are made by the DVV, Kela, and other institutions. We help prepare complete and consistent notifications and explain your rights.
How International Law Firm "Zahist" helps those leaving Finland
We support the client from planning until all authorities have received the notifications.
- Analysis of your situation and choice between a temporary and a permanent move
- Drawing up a timetable of deadlines and notifications
- Preparation of notifications for the DVV and Kela
- Advice on benefits, contracts, and taxes
- Preparation of appeals in the event of disputed decisions
- Support in communications with the authorities after departure
- Support until all formalities are completed
At every stage, you know what is happening and are not left alone with the bureaucracy. This is especially important when you are already in another country.
Legal assistance for those leaving Finland
Do not leave the notification until the last day, as proper preparation saves money. The earlier you analyse your situation, the lower the risk of debts or demands to repay benefits.
Contact the lawyers of International Law Firm "Zahist" and we will help you determine what needs to be done before leaving Finland in your case, and prepare the necessary documents.
