1) Setting up a business
Setting up a business in Finland
Finland’s business-friendly government welcomes foreign companies to do business in Finland.
Setting up a business in Finland is easy, for example the incorporation process usually takes about
2–3 weeks.
Financial arrangement
Select the company form
Tips: Investor’s own capital or loans from commercial banks, public
funding from Finnvera, EU-funded support from ELY Centres or R&D and
innovation incentives by Tekes.
The Financial Supervisory Authority • www.ï¬nanssivalvonta.ï¬ /en
Finnvera • www.ï¬nnvera.ï¬ /eng
ELY Centres • www.ely-keskus.ï¬ /en
Tekes • www.tekes.ï¬ /en
Tips: A foreign-based company can begin business activities in Finland
by opening a limited liability company or by starting a Finnish branch.
Check a valid company name from Business Information System.
Enterprise Finland • www.enterpriseï¬nland.ï¬
The Business Information System • www.ytj.ï¬ /english
Tips: Business names are registered in Finnish or Swedish in
the Finnish Trade Register.
Registration at Trade Register
and Tax Administration
Look for premises,
recruiting new employees
The National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland • www.prh.ï¬ /en
The Finnish Tax Administration • www.vero.ï¬ /en-US
Free service for establishing a business in Finland • www.perustayritys.ï¬
Tips: Recruiting services can be found from recruitment companies,
or free services from the national employment ofï¬ces. Employers have
to take into account such issues as employees’ social security, pension,
unemployment and accident insurances.
Employment and Economic Development Ofï¬ce • www.mol.ï¬ /mol/en/
Ministry of Employment and the Economy • www.tem.ï¬ /en
Bookkeeping, auditing
and other services
Tips: Information related to bookkeeping can be found from the Association
of Finnish Accounting Firms, to auditing from HTM-auditors’ association and
to other services for enterprises from Finland Chamber of Commerce.
Association of Finnish Accounting Firms • www.taloushallintoliitto.ï¬
HTM-auditors’ association • www.htm.ï¬ /english_summary
Finland Chamber of Commerce • www.kauppakamari.ï¬ /en
Invest in Finland, Finpro ry Porkkalankatu 1, FI-00180 Helsinki, Finland Telephone +358 204 695 555 Fax +358 204 695 201 www.investinï¬nland.ï¬
