Moving to Kouvola

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On this page you can find almost everything you need to apply for residence permission, KELA health insurance card or how to apply for a tax card.

You can ask for help even before moving to Kouvola from Immigrant Guidance and Counselling Moona. Moona service in free of charge. Please contact: moona@kouvola.fi

If you are a student – please read carefully the instructions you receive from your university before you will arrive.

Before entering to country

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri)

The Finnish Immigration Service makes permit decisions in matters related to immigration, asylum, refugee status and citizenship and runs the reception system of Finland.

Housing

Kouvolan Asunnot Oy is a rental housing company owned by the city of Kouvola and the largest operator in the rental housing market in Kouvola. They offer affordable and comfortable apartments in various parts of Kouvola.

Rental apartments can be found via national search services:
Vuokraovi.com
Oikotie.fi (in Finnish)

Apply day care/basic edukation

Municipalities and private day care centres provide day care, also called early childhood education and care. Children start comprehensive school in the year they turn seven. Children, who have arrived in Kouvola from abroad, and are residents of the city, are eligible for a period of preparatory education to ease their transition into the Finnish school system.

How to apply? Apply for day care 4 months in adcance and primary school for a few weeks in advance.

Day care – please contact: satu.hyytia@kouvola.fi
Basic education, preparatory edukation – please contact: sari.keskinen@kouvola.fi

After entering the country

The Digital and Population Data Services Agency

(DVV) https://dvv.fi/en/individuals

If you are a foreign citizen and move to Finland, your information will be recorded in the Finnish Population Information System if the conditions are met. At the same time, you will be assigned a Finnish personal identity code.

Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland

Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, has a responsibility to provide basic support in life’s ups and downs to everyone covered by the Finnish social security system. Address: Kauppalankatu 13, 45100 Kouvola.

Police, Identity card

An identity card is a document that certifies your identity when you use different services. You can apply for an identity card either online or by visiting a police service point in person. Address: Vuorikatu 1, 45100 Kouvola.

Opening a bank account

When you open a bank account, you will need a passport, foreign identity card or other official proof of identity. A driving licence is NOT an official identity document. You can ask for advice on opening a bank account from the Immigrant Guidance and Counselling Moona, moona@kouvola.fi

Taxation

If you stay in Finland over 6 months, you are taxable in Finland on income you receive from Finland or abroad. In other words, you are regarded as a resident taxpayer, like everyone else living in Finland. You need a tax card and/or an individual tax number. To apply for the card and the number, you need a Finnish personal identity code.

Apply for the tax card in the Tax Administration’s electronic transaction service MyTax, by phone or by visiting a tax office. Address: Valimontie 5, 45100 Kouvola.