Tampere, and Finland in general, is still growing and learning but what we have gotten right for some time now is the fact that we have a great work-life balance, employee friendly working hours, and flexibilities. We understand that people do have a life outside work and we recognise and respect that. The city of Tampere has a vibrant innovative ecosystem, a growing start-up scene and plenty of work opportunities in health, technology, ICT, film industry and more.
In general, Finland has a work to live attitude. It is common to leave your work at the workplace and draw a clear line between work and other parts of your life. Using your vacation time is also expected. At work, asking for help and developing your professional skills further is encouraged. Finns appreciate punctuality and honesty: following agreed schedules is expected, and saying what you mean is a good idea, since Finns tend to take words at face-value. It is also good to remember that Finns are very pragmatic when it comes to problem-solving. If any workplace issues turn up, don’t hesitate to talk to your team or manager.
Finland’s working hierarchies is pretty flat, as we are strong believers in equality and giving employees the right to voice their opinions and ideas. The employment law in Finland ensures that an employee has a good balance between working and life outside work. Work is typically done independently with minimal hierarchy. Supervisors do not frequently check on your progress, and you are not required to provide regular updates unless specifically requested.
In Finland, employees’ rights are covered in legislation and collective agreements. These include salary, working hours, holidays and other conditions. When you start a new job, it is advisable to have a written and signed employment contract with your employer, in which all the terms and conditions of the employment relationship are stated.
Finnish law does not specify how much an employee must be paid. Employers and employees will need to agree on the benefits and salaries based on the collective agreements. If there is no collective agreement in the sector of work, employers and employees may agree on the salaries and benefits freely. According to the law, the salary must be normal and reasonable, that is, you must receive the same wage or salary as other people who does the same work.
In Finland, you pay income tax on your salary in advance. You must also pay taxes on other income, such as unemployment allowance, parental allowance, pensions, and study grant. All employees must have a tax card as the employer will deduct a % of your salary based on your tax rate on the card. In addition to taxes, the employer will also deduct a % for unemployment and medical insurance. In Finland, taxation is progressive. This means the more you earn, the more tax you pay and vice versa.
At the end of tax year, you will get a summary of taxed income from Vero and you can change and adjust if there are more or less income and benefits. Vero will then decide if you will have to pay more, or they will return overpaid tax to you, or no adjustments needed thereafter.
Most of you are probably wondering what does the state do with your taxed income. In summary, the state and municipalities use the tax money to pay for the public’s social benefits, for example, unemployment benefits, free/cheap health care, and free education. The tax money also pays for the country’s defense, maintenance of public roads and properties.
In Finland, there are trade unions and unemployment fund association and employees have the rights to join one or both. Both has a membership fee which is tax-deductible.
There are about 80 trade unions in Finland, which belongs to three main trade union federations: SAK (the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions), STTK (the Finnish Confederation of Professionals), and Akava (the Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland). By joining a trade union, you will also get the opportunity to join the union's unemployment fund.
Trade unions promotes workers’ rights and they usually represent the members in negotiation with employers’ union on topics such as working conditions, wages and salaries. There are different types of trade unions, usually by profession, education, sector and more.
Unemployment fund is a form of insurance where in the case of unemployment, you can receive earnings-related unemployment allowance, which is higher than basic unemployment allowance provided by the government.
Getting a job in a country you were not born in is never a piece of cake, so here are a few tips and info links to help accelerate your job search.
When looking for a job in Finland, it is advisable to be active, network and show initiative. Use different channels to find a job. Employers look for employees also in the social media – especially for expert positions. You may also contact employers directly and ask if they have any vacancies or send an open application at their website. A large number of vacancies are hidden jobs and not advertised publicly. Sometimes the job application can be a video, a portfolio or, for example a web page.
Public Employment and Business Services (TE) are targeted to unemployed residents already living in Finland. Browse open positions, find interesting employers and sign up as a jobseeker at Job Market Finland (tyomarkkinatori.fi).
For newcomers who just moved to Tampere and is looking for employment, it is advisable to register with TE for the integration program which provides you with free Finnish language course and support in finding jobs. Be sure to sign up on your first unemployment date in order to avoid missing any services you are could be entitled to. Click here for information about Tasks of the TE Offices | Integration (kotoutuminen.fi).
Here are some online sites and recruitment agencies you can find jobs in.
Some recruitment agencies are tailored for certain industry and some are for general job roles. Look for agencies that will suit your needs and skills and register with one or more.
Besides looking for jobs in English, we encourage you to also apply for jobs that require basic level Finnish language skills. Working in a Finnish speaking environment is an excellent way to build and hone your language skills, so don’t be shy!
LinkedIn is one of the popular ones which a lot of companies in Tampere uses to post their open job vacancies
Some professions, such as nurses, doctors and teachers are regulated by the Finnish legislation. This means a specific training, qualification or the right to practice a profession is required. These professions also require a certain level of Finnish language. If you are qualified in a similar profession abroad and want to become qualified also in Finland, you will need a decision issued by the determined competent authority.
If you want to start a business in Finland and you are a citizen of a country outside the EU or Nordic countries, you will need an entrepreneur’s residence permit. For establishing a start-up company, a start-up residence permit is required. You must apply for the appropriate residence permit before arriving in Finland.
EU residents do not need a residence permit but must register as EU citizens if staying for more than 90 days. Please check the 'Moving' section under EU citizens for detailed information on permits and processes.
Entrepreneur or Startup?
If you decide to start a business, you can become an entrepreneur or launch a startup
Within the entrepreneurial umbrella there are 5 different forms of enterprise you can choose from. Select the one that best suits your business needs. In Finland, you can engage in lawful trade without needing a permit from authorities, as long as it aligns with good practices. However, certain businesses, such as beauty salons or food product vendors, require premises inspections and permits from the municipal health authority before starting. Always check if a permit is needed or if authorities must be notified before beginning business activities. Contact a Regional State Administrative Agency or visit the Enterprise Finland website for permit requirements.
If you're unsure where to start or what support and services are available in Tampere for entrepreneurs, our Guidance to Entrepreneurship Services can help you. This one-time online consultation is designed for internationals planning to start or grow their business in Tampere. Our Business Coordinator will assist you in identifying the best entrepreneurial path and inform you about available services and information channels.
If you are planning a startup company, take a look at our Tampere Startup Kit. This is where you will find everything you need to know to get started with your business, from getting your permits to developing your startup in Tampere. Our Guidance to Entrepreneurship Services will also be able to assist you in startup related questions.
Looking to set up a business in Tampere? This is where you will find everything you need to know to get you started with your business, from getting your permits to developing your startup in Tampere.
