In short
Finland's start-up permit is for founders of innovative, scalable companies. First you need a positive eligibility statement from Business Finland — the team must have at least two founders who hold at least 60% of the company. Then you apply to Migri online and confirm your identity at a Finnish mission abroad; decisions take about two weeks and the first permit lasts up to 2 years. You must show €1,210 a month (Helsinki region) for at least a year. Companies are usually Oy limited companies with no minimum capital and 20% corporate tax; board members living outside the EEA need a PRH permit.
Finland startup: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Start-up permit | Positive eligibility statement from Business Finland; team of 2+ founders holding 60%+; first permit up to 2 years; about 2 weeks# Source: Migri: residence permit for a start-up entrepreneur · Business Finland: applying for the startup permit · Migri: processing times |
|---|---|
| Start-up funds | €1,210 a month in the Helsinki region (€1,090 / €1,030 elsewhere) for at least a year# Source: Migri: residence permit for a start-up entrepreneur |
| Where to apply | First work, specialist, Blue Card and start-up permits are applied for online and confirmed at a Finnish mission abroad# Source: Migri: residence permit for an employed person · Migri: residence permit for a specialist |
| Self-employed permit | For private traders and partners with a profitable business in Finland; profitability decided by the Economic Development Centre; no fixed income figure# Source: Migri: residence permit for a self-employed person · Migri: entrepreneurs · Migri: income requirement |
| Usual company type | Oy (private limited company); no minimum share capital since 2019# Source: PRH: limited liability company |
| Board residence rule | At least one ordinary board member, one deputy and the managing director must live in the EEA — or get a PRH permit (€150 + €6.50)# Source: PRH: permits to persons from outside the EEA |
| Corporate tax | 20%; a cut to 18% from 2027 has been proposed to Parliament (Sep 2026)# Source: Ministry of Finance: proposal to reduce corporate tax (Sep 2026) |
| R&D deduction | Extra 50% deduction on R&D wages and services (150% total), plus 45% on increases# Source: Finnish Tax Administration: combined R&D deduction |
| Business Finland funding | Tempo closed in 2025; Sprint Grant up to €100,000 (75% of costs) for companies with €50,000+ paid-in equity# Source: Business Finland: funding services in 2026 · Business Finland: Sprint Grant funding call 2026 |
| US anti-deferral tax | GILTI renamed NCTI from 2026; Finland's 20% is above the 18.9% threshold — but a cut to 18% would fall below it# Source: US Code: 26 USC 951A (net CFC tested income) · eCFR: 26 CFR 1.951A-2 (high-tax exclusion) · Ministry of Finance: proposal to reduce corporate tax (Sep 2026) |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
Finland's start-up and company rules are the same for all non-EU founders, so Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Brits follow this page exactly. Only your home country's side is different:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Board residence | The EEA residence rule for board members depends on where you live, not your nationality. |
|---|---|
| Tax at home | The US taxes its citizens wherever they live; most other countries tax by residence, with their own rules for owning a foreign company. Check with a tax advisor in your country. |
| Tax treaty with Finland | Finland has income tax treaties with the US and many other countries — check how yours treats your income. |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
Overview
Launching Your Startup in Finland
Finland combines a strong engineering culture, public R&D support and one of Europe's best-known startup events, Slush in Helsinki. For non-EU founders, the start-up permit is the main route: Business Finland first confirms that your startup qualifies, then Migri grants a fast-track permit.
US citizens can visit Finland visa-free for 90 days in any 180, but the first permit is applied for online and confirmed at a Finnish mission abroad.
Finland rewards serious, team-based startups — with a fast permit, R&D incentives and engineers who stay. It is not the place for a solo side business.
Our Services
Your Partner for Launch in Finland
Founder route strategy
Start-up permit, self-employed permit or employment through your own company — which fits your team and plans.
Business Finland application
Preparing your eligibility statement application — team, business model and growth plan.
Company formation (Oy)
Registering your Oy with PRH, the EEA board rule and tax registration.
Funding and grants
Business Finland funding, the R&D tax deduction and local investors.
Settling in
DVV registration, banking, the entrepreneur pension (YEL) and finding housing — LocalVouch lists services other expats recommend.
Residency Pathways
Navigating Founder Visas & Residency
Start-up Permit
Needs a positive eligibility statement from Business Finland — innovative, scalable business, a team of at least two founders holding 60%+, and not a subsidiary of a foreign company. Funds of €1,210 a month (Helsinki region) for a year. Decision in about 2 weeks; first permit up to 2 years, fee €650 online.
Self-Employed Person Permit
For private traders and partners with a profitable business in Finland. The Economic Development Centre assesses profitability; Migri sets no fixed income figure. Fee €450 online.
Costs & Business Landscape
Understanding the Business Landscape
Company formation and tax
An Oy needs no minimum share capital and costs €400 to register online (2026). Corporate tax is 20%; a cut to 18% from 2027 has been proposed to Parliament. VAT is 25.5%, with registration above €20,000 turnover a year.
R&D and funding
Companies can deduct an extra 50% of R&D wages and purchased services (150% in total), plus 45% of cost increases. Business Finland's Tempo grant closed in 2025; its new Sprint Grant offers up to €100,000 (75% of costs) to companies with at least €50,000 paid-in equity.
US tax
Finland's 20% corporate tax is above the 18.9% US high-tax threshold for the NCTI rules (formerly GILTI). If the cut to 18% passes, that would change from 2027 — plan with a US international tax adviser.
Where to Base
Top Startup Hubs in Finland
Helsinki Capital Region
Helsinki and Espoo — most investors, Slush, Aalto University and the Otaniemi campus with VTT. Home of Supercell and Wolt.
Oulu
A northern tech city with a long wireless history and the University of Oulu's 6G research.
Tampere
A university and industry city strong in engineering, gaming and health tech.
Turku
A coastal university city with strengths in health, life sciences and maritime tech.
Jyväskylä
A university city in central Finland with a growing tech community.
Step by Step
Essential Steps for American Founders
Build your founding team
Business Finland requires at least two founders who together hold at least 60% of the company.
Get a Business Finland eligibility statement
Apply online with your business model, team and growth plan. A positive statement is required before the permit application.
Apply for the start-up permit
Apply to Migri in Enter Finland, pay €650 and confirm your identity at a Finnish mission abroad. Show €1,210 a month (Helsinki region) for at least a year.
Register your Oy
File online with PRH (€400). Board members living outside the EEA need a PRH permit (€150); once you live in Finland, you meet the residence rule.
Tap into funding
Look at the R&D tax deduction, Business Finland's Sprint Grant and local angel and VC investors.
Arrange your pension insurance
Founders who own a large share of their Oy usually need the entrepreneur pension (YEL) once they live and work in Finland.
Why Finland
Why Finland for US Founders
A fast, clear permit
Fast-track start-up permits are decided in about two weeks after Business Finland's statement.
R&D support
A 150% R&D deduction and public funding for high-growth companies.
Trust and stability
A transparent, well-run country — and the world's happiest nine years running.
Gateway to the Nordics and Baltics
A good base for Nordic, Baltic and wider EU markets, with Tallinn two hours away by ferry.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is Finland's start-up permit?
A residence permit for founders of innovative, scalable startups. You first need a positive eligibility statement from Business Finland, then apply to Migri. Decisions take about two weeks and the first permit lasts up to 2 years.
How much money do I need?
€1,210 a month in the Helsinki region (€1,090 in other large municipalities, €1,030 elsewhere), secured for at least a year — about €14,520 in Helsinki.
Can I be the only founder?
Usually not for the start-up permit. Business Finland looks for a team of at least two founders who together hold at least 60% of the company.
What is Finland's corporate tax rate?
20%. The government has proposed cutting it to 18% from 2027, but the bill has not yet passed.
Does Business Finland still offer the Tempo grant?
No. Tempo closed in 2025. The new Sprint Grant offers up to €100,000 (75% of costs) to companies with at least €50,000 paid-in equity.
Finland
Everything about moving to Finland
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