Frequently asked questions

Basic social assistance will be paid by Kela

The application forms are available at Kela offices and online at www.kela.fi/web/en/forms

Supplementary and preventive social assistance will continue to be provided by the City of Helsinki

Supplementary and preventive social assistance will continue to be provided by the City's social services. However, as of January 1st 2017, you will first need a decision from Kela concerning basic social assistance before applying for supplementary or preventive social assistance.

Telephone numbers for social assistance advice to remain the same

The telephone advice service provides information and advice on matters related to applying for social assistance. You can call the telephone service to ask for information on the grounds for granting social assistance Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon.

• Finnish-speaking clients tel. 09 310 56257
• Swedish-speaking clients tel. 09 310 44967

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The Telephone Health Service, tel. 09 310 10023, provides information on Helsinki’s health services and medical advice around the clock.

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The information service of the Education Sector provides advice related to day-care, playground activities and play clubs by telephone Mon-Fri 10:00 a.m.–12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m., tel. 09 310 44986.

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The Urban Environment Division manages parking control, resident parking permits and parking control equipment. The customer service point is at Sörnäistenkatu 1. Open Mon 8:15 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Tue–Thu 8:15 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Fri 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., tel. 09 310 22111.

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The Urban Environment Division. For more information you may contact the customer service: Mon 8:15 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Tue–Thu 8:15 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Fri 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., tel. 09 310 22111. For information on seasonal matters, please refer to the news section on the Urban Environment Division's website.

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Building Control Services' Service Point Tellinki provides advice on common questions related to permits and launching projects Mon-Thu 9.00-13-00, address Sörnäistenkatu 1. Phone service Mon-Thu 9.00-13.00, tel. 09 310 26363. If the service point is closed, you can contact Urban Environment Division’s customer service tel. 09 310 22111 that is open Mon 8.15-17.00, Tue-Thu 8.15-16.00 and Fri 10.00-15.00.

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The City’s invoicing matters are handled by the Financial Management Services, Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., tel. 09 310 25300. The same service also handles the payroll administration of all City Divisions as well as other matters, such as dog tax. City of Helsinki invoices can be paid at the Public Service Cash Desk at Toinen linja 4 A, Kallio Office Building, open Mon–Fri 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

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To apply for City-owned rental housing, use the City’s e-services or a self-service terminal at Stadin asunnot customer service location. Address: Itämerenkatu 3, open Mondays and Wednesdays 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Fridays 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. and Thursdays 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., tel. 09 310 13030.

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The City Environment Sector's housing health information service provides advice on matters related to, for example, indoor air, moisture, mould and noise Mon, Wed–Fri 9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon, Tue 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., tel. 09 310 15000. Information related to, for example, food and quality of household water is available Mon, Wed–Fri 9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon, Tue 12:00 noon–3:00 p.m., tel. 09 310 14000.

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The City Environment Sector operates an information and exhibition space called Laituri at Narinkka 2, open Mon–Thu 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Fri-Sat 12:00 noon-4:00 p.m., tel. 09 310 37390, e-mail: kaupunkiymparisto@hel.fi

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Major events are listed on the City of Helsinki tourism pages such as myhelsinki.fi. You can also contact Helsinki Tourist Information, tel. 09 310 13300. Helsinki Tourist Information opening hours: 15 September–14 May, Mon–Fri 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., Sat–Sun 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and 15 May–14 September, Mon–Sat 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., Sun 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

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Information on public transport routes, schedules and fares is available from the Helsinki Region Transport customer service, Mon–Fri 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., Sat–Sun 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., tel. 09 4766 4000. A Journey Planner is available for finding the shortest route to your destination.

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NewCo Helsinki offers business expertise and advisory services to entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs in the Yrityslinna building at Ensi linja 1. Reserve an appointment, tel. 09 310 36360, e-mail: yrityshelsinki@hel.fi

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The Wholesale Food Market at Vanha talvitie 10 H (2nd floor) leases out vending stalls in market halls and squares. The customer service is open Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Fri 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., tel. 09 310 23565, e-mail tukkutori@hel.fi

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The City of Helsinki Registrar's Office serves the entire City organisation. The Registrar's Office provides information on the progress of pending administrative affairs and decisions throughout each process. The Registrar's Office is at Pohjoisesplanadi 11–13, open Mon–Fri 8:15 a.m.–4:00 p.m., tel. 09 310 13700

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Various City sectors award grants to registered associations on a yearly basis.

More information on grants awarded by the City

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You can use the electronic services of the City of Helsinki to, for example, fill out and send electronic applications and forms and enrol for courses. The e-services are open 24 hours a day.

Sign in to e-services

City services available via e-services

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As an EU citizen you are allowed to stay in Finland for three months at your own expense. If you wish to stay in Helsinki and register as a Helsinki resident, you must have a job or active company, a place of study or long-term family ties. 

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Finnishcourses.fi website lists courses in Finnish and Swedish. The course search tool provides information on courses that are open to the public.

finnishcourses.fi

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Residence permits are renewed by Finnish Immigration Service in Finland. Remember to reserve an appointment for their service point ahead of time, and keep in mind that you may not find a free time right away. To reserve an appointment, please use the electronic reservation system on the website of Immigration Service.

Observe: The Police of Finland manages migrants' identity card applications.
Further information on applying for an identity card

Further information on immigration issues: www.migri.fi

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According to the Finnish Immigration Service, a residence permit must be renewed before it expires. It is not sufficient that the applicant has made a reservation for an appointment if the residence permit expires before the date of the appointment. Residence permit holders in this situation should go to a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service without an advance reservation to wait in line and take care of the matter before the expiration of the residence permit.

You can find the service points of the Finnish Immigration Service from here: www.migri.fi

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You are not allowed to work while your first residence permit application submitted on the grounds of employment is still being processed. An exception to this rule is work that does not require a residence permit. However, you should note that you are only allowed to perform such work without a residence permit for the duration of the validity period of your visa or visa-exempt status.

If you have previously been issued a residence permit on the grounds of employment, or some other residence permit that entitles you to work, you can continue to work under the terms of your previous permit while your application for an extended permit is being processed. For this to apply, you must apply for an extended permit before the expiration of your previous permit.

Further information: www.migri.fi
Also read about work that does not require a residence permit (”Employment without residence permits”; Aliens Act, Section 81).

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A residence permit on the grounds of family ties may, under certain circumstances, be applied by family members other than members of the nuclear family. You can not apply for a residence permit on their behalf but they have to apply for themselves. Residence permit applications are processed by the Finnish Immigration Service.

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If your identity is verified by means of a valid passport or ID card and you meet the other requirements, you can apply for Finnish citizenship. You can apply for the citizenship through the website of Enter Finland.

Further information
Application form at Enter Finland website

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A child can be provided with preparatory education to improve his or her Finnish or Swedish language skills. Preparatory education is intended for all immigrant children who do not speak Finnish or Swedish. The preparatory education typically lasts for one year, after which time the pupil will start in a regular classroom.

On matters related to comprehensive school and preparatory education, please contact Helsinki City Education Sector. Information service open Mon-Fri 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., tel. 09 310 86400, electronic form: Ask questions or give feedback

On matters related to daycare and preschool, please contact information service Mon-Fri 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. tel. 09 310 44986, electronic form: Ask questions or give feedback

Education Sector

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