Suomi.fi: How to Use Electronic Government Services in Finland
Suomi.fi is Finland’s single portal for public services, where you can identify yourself, receive official messages, and grant powers of attorney. Login is usually carried out using bank credentials or another means of electronic identification.
For foreigners without Finnish bank credentials, there is a separate means — the Finnish Authenticator application. However, its capabilities are limited, and not every service accepts it, so access to certain services may require strong identification.
Our experience at International Law Firm "Zahist" shows that most difficulties arise not from the portal itself, but from the fact that a person does not know which login method is required for a particular service. Below, we explain how to use Suomi.fi and electronic services step by step.
What Suomi.fi is and which services are available there
The portal brings together information and services from various public authorities. Through it, you can view official messages, log in to the e-services of other agencies, and manage powers of attorney.
| Component | What it is for |
| Suomi.fi identification | Login to the e-services of various agencies |
| Suomi.fi messages | Official mail from public authorities in electronic form |
| Suomi.fi powers of attorney | Granting authority to act on behalf of another person |
| Information pages | Guidance on services and the procedure for obtaining them |
Please note: the portal itself does not replace the services of DVV, Kela, or Migri, but provides a single point of access to them. This means that an error in choosing the login method may block access to several services at once. Therefore, the issue of access should be resolved before contacting a particular authority.
How to identify yourself on the portal: bank credentials and alternatives
The login method depends on your status and on what a particular service accepts. The most common option is bank credentials, but they are not always available to newcomers.
| Method | Note |
| Bank credentials | The most common option for customers of a Finnish bank |
| Mobile certificate | Depends on the operator and your status |
| Finnish Authenticator | A means for foreigners, but not all services accept it |
| A means from another EU country | Only if the service supports cross-border login |
In addition, find out whether the service you need requires strong identification. Some authorities, including supervisory ones, emphasize that a person with a Finnish personal identity code specifically needs strong identification.
Suomi.fi messages: how to receive official mail online
During the first identification, the system checks whether Suomi.fi messages are activated for your personal identity code. If not, you will first be asked to activate them.
- Messages allow you to receive official letters from authorities in electronic form
- You can notify public authorities that you wish to receive mail digitally
- Check your inbox regularly so as not to miss deadlines
- Update your contact details if your address or email changes
- Save important letters in a separate folder
This is convenient, but it requires attention: an electronic letter containing a request from an authority has the same consequences as a paper one. We wrote about the consequences of a missed deadline in a separate article on Migri.
Powers of attorney in Suomi.fi: how to act on behalf of another person
If you represent another person or a company, confirmed authority is required. In the Suomi.fi system, it is called an electronic power of attorney.
| Situation | What is required |
| Representative of a natural person | A power of attorney in the Suomi.fi system |
| Representative of a foreign company | Identification via Finnish Authenticator and the granting of a power of attorney |
| A person without a Finnish personal identity code | First a UID identifier, then a power of attorney |
| A person with Finnish bank credentials | It is sufficient to obtain a power of attorney |
Some authorities require that the identifier and the power of attorney be requested separately. Therefore, before you begin, clarify the procedure with the relevant authority.
Finnish Authenticator: what it is and when it is sufficient
This is a means of identification created for foreigners who do not have Finnish bank credentials. It is useful at the beginning of a stay, but it has limitations that are worth knowing in advance.
- It is not a means of strong electronic identification
- Not all authorities accept it for logging in to their services
- For certain procedures, an authority may require bank credentials
- For representatives of foreign companies, it is used when granting powers of attorney
- Check the current terms of use on the Suomi.fi pages
Therefore, treat it as a temporary solution until you have obtained Finnish credentials. You should not base all your interaction with the state on it, as some procedures will remain unavailable. We wrote about the path to bank credentials in a separate article.
Which authorities are accessible through the portal and where to start
Most public services needed by newcomers are related to registration, social benefits, taxes, and migration matters. An indicative overview is provided below.
| Authority | What it is needed for |
| DVV | Registration of residence, change of address, personal identity code |
| Kela | Social benefits and insurance |
| Vero | Tax matters, tax card |
| Migri | Residence permits and migration applications |
| Local services | School, daycare, municipal services |
Not all of these services accept the same login methods, so check the requirements on the authority’s page before you start. If you do not yet have bank credentials, it is worth first finding out which services are already available to you now.
How to protect your account and data on the portal
Access to public services opens up your personal information, so security is of primary importance. Fraudsters often pose as representatives of authorities and ask for codes.
- Log in only through the official websites of the authorities
- Do not follow links from suspicious emails and messages
- Do not share one-time codes or your password with anyone
- Log out of the system on other people’s devices
- If you suspect a breach, contact your bank or identification provider immediately
Our experience at International Law Firm "Zahist" shows that most incidents occur due to inattention, not technical failures. Therefore, check the website address before each login.
How to organize work with electronic mail from authorities
Electronic letters from public authorities are easy to lose among other mail. Create a simple system that will help you track deadlines and confirmations.
- Check Suomi.fi Messages every week and review new letters
- Immediately enter the deadlines from letters into your calendar
- Save copies of important letters in a separate folder on your computer
- Name files by date and authority
- If a letter is unclear, seek advice without waiting until the end of the deadline
Such discipline may seem like a minor detail, but it is precisely what prevents missed requests. This is especially true of letters from Migri and Kela, where deadlines are usually short. If you travel frequently, enable email notifications so that you are informed of new messages.
Common mistakes when using Suomi.fi
The mistakes that occur most often are listed below.
- Trying to log in with a method that the service does not accept
- Failing to activate Suomi.fi Messages in time
- Ignoring electronic letters from authorities
- Not updating contact details after moving
- Sharing your codes with other persons
- Not checking whether strong identification is required
Sharing codes is particularly dangerous, as they are equivalent to a signature. If you need assistance, it is better to execute a power of attorney.
Why it can be difficult to figure it out on your own
At first glance, the portal seems simple. In practice, however, there are barriers that are hard to overcome without experience.
- Interfaces and instructions are often in Finnish or Swedish
- Not all services accept the same login methods
- It is difficult to understand which power of attorney is required
- The risk of missing an electronic letter from an authority
- Lack of Finnish bank codes during the first months
That is why more and more Ukrainians who are looking for how to use electronic public services in Finland seek assistance even before their first login.
On your own or with International Law Firm "Zahist": a comparison
The table clearly illustrates the difference between the approaches.
| Parameter | On your own | With International Law Firm "Zahist" |
| Choosing a login method | Difficult to determine what the service accepts | Analysis of your status and options |
| Powers of attorney | Unclear what to execute | Assistance with preparation and filing |
| Letters from authorities | Risk of missing them | Monitoring and explanation of the content |
| Language | A barrier in the instructions | Translation of the key steps |
| Deadlines | Easy to miss | Monitoring of dates |
We do not guarantee decisions by public authorities, as the final word remains with them. However, proper preparation significantly reduces the risk of errors.
How International Law Firm "Zahist" assists with e-services in Finland
We support the client at every stage so that you understand your actions.
- Analysis of your status and available means of identification
- Selection of the optimal login method for the required services
- Assistance with activating Suomi.fi Messages
- Preparation of electronic powers of attorney for representatives
- Explanation of the content of letters and requests from authorities
- Assistance in correcting errors in submitted applications
- Monitoring of deadlines and support through to the outcome
At every stage, you know what is happening and are not left alone with the bureaucracy. This is especially important when your status depends on a letter.
Legal assistance in Finland
Do not postpone setting up access to e-services, as without it it is difficult to receive official letters on time. The sooner you sort this out, the lower the risk of missing an important request. A consultation will help you set up access correctly from the outset.
Contact the lawyers of International Law Firm "Zahist" and we will help you determine how to use Suomi.fi and prepare the necessary documents.
