Personal identity code in Finland
As a foreign citizen you get a Finnish personal identity code (henkilötunnus) by registering with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV): you submit its form, then visit a DVV service point in person within one month. DVV's registration page states: "Everyone who requests a personal identity code must visit in person within 1 month of submitting the form, including children." Registration is free of charge, and DVV processes a request based on work or study in 2 to 3 weeks counted from the day of your visit. The code alone does not give you a municipality of residence (kotikunta), which is a separate decision with its own conditions.
Who can get a code
DVV's registration page states: "You can get a personal identity code if you are residing legally in Finland and there are grounds for registration, such as:
- working in Finland and you have the right to work
- studying in Finland
- a family member who already has a registered address in Finland
- a residence permit, residence card or registration certificate of an EU citizen's right of residence, issued by the Finnish Immigration Service"
How this applies to you depends on your citizenship:
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens bring a valid passport or an official photo ID card and the certificate of registration of the right of residence for EU citizens.
- Third-country nationals bring a passport and a residence permit card or other proof of legal residence. DVV's personal identity code page states that a code is issued to a foreign citizen "after they have been registered in the Population Information System at their own request or at the time they are granted a residence permit", so you may already receive one with your permit decision.
- Students on short courses. DVV states that "A short-term course or training are sufficient reasons for obtaining a personal identity code, if one is needed to participate in the training."
The Tax Administration's work in Finland page states that DVV issues Finnish personal IDs, and that "In some cases, IDs can be issued by the Finnish Immigration Service or the Finnish Tax Administration."
Steps, documents and processing time
- Fill in the form. DVV's online form "does not require authentication". One parent can request a code on the same form for a child under 18 who moves to Finland at the same time. A paper form exists if you cannot use the online one.
- Book the visit at once. Use DVV's appointment service "Registration of a foreigner's personal data". The one-month clock starts on the day you submit the form, so book in the same sitting.
- Bring the documents. DVV lists a valid passport or an official EU, EEA, Swiss or San Marino photo ID card; a residence permit card or other proof that you reside legally in Finland; the EU registration certificate if you have one; and proof of work or studies, "for example, a certificate of student status or an employment contract".
- Add family documents if needed. If you also register a marriage or parenthood, bring the completed forms and the certificates, legalised and translated where DVV's rules require it. Arrange legalisation in the issuing country before you travel.
DVV's registration page sets these processing times and fee:
| Request | Processing time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Code request based on work or study | 2 to 3 weeks from the visit | Free |
| Code request on other grounds | 3 to 4 weeks from the visit | Free |
Structure of the code
The code takes the form DDMMYY, a century sign, a three-digit individual number and a control character. DVV's personal identity code page uses the example 131052-308T and sets out each part:
| Part | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 131052 | Day, month and year, ddmmyy |
| Century sign | - | + for the 1800s, - or Y for the 1900s, A for the 2000s |
| Individual number | 308 | Between 002 and 899; odd for men, even for women |
| Control character | T | Number or letter calculated from the first nine digits divided by 31 |
DVV notes that "In the future, other separators can also be introduced to ensure there are enough personal identity codes."
The code shows your date of birth and your gender as recorded in the Population Information System. DVV states that it "does not contain any other personal data, such as the person's nationality, municipality of residence or right of residence in Finland." Treat it as personal data: DVV adds that "You cannot prove your identity only by stating your personal identity code." The control character means a mistyped code fails validation, which is why a landlord or payroll clerk asks you to read it back.
A code for life
DVV states that "The personal identity code is meant to be permanent." It can be changed only if your date of birth or gender was registered incorrectly or you are legally confirmed to be a different gender, and "in very exceptional cases" to protect a person whose health or safety is threatened or whose code another person has repeatedly misused. The code you get in your first month is the one you quote through every change of address, employer, surname and citizenship. An employer, a health centre and a bank can each recognise you without comparing spellings of your name.
DVV lists what the code is for: "The personal identity code is necessary to apply for pensions and other benefits, among other things. It is also needed for the payment of salaries and wages to ensure that the money is paid to the correct person." The Tax Administration requires it before you can get a tax card.
Municipality of residence as a separate decision
A population register entry with a code and a municipality of residence are two different records, and you can hold the first without the second. DVV's form lets you apply for both at once, and "A municipality of residence may be granted if the conditions for this are met."
DVV's municipality of residence page sets three general conditions: you have arrived in Finland, you intend to live here for at least one year, and you stay legally. You must also meet one of these:
- Nordic citizenship
- an EU citizen's right of residence registered with the Finnish Immigration Service
- a continuous (A) or permanent (P) residence permit
- a family member who already has a municipality of residence in Finland
- a temporary (B) permit valid for at least one year, plus Finnish descent, an earlier municipality of residence in Finland, employment or degree studies of at least two years, or one year of continuous temporary residence after immigrating
The split falls between A and B permits. A seasonal worker or a student on a short course can be registered, give a valid code to an employer and pay tax, yet have no kotikunta because the intent-to-stay and permit tests were not met. DVV adds: "You can only have a municipality of residence in one country at a time."
The municipality of residence gives you access to municipal services, a Finnish identity card and a driving licence, the services of authorities, and financial benefits and subsidies, according to DVV. How it affects healthcare is covered in health insurance for foreigners in Finland. If you got your code from the Finnish Immigration Service or the Tax Administration without a municipality of residence, DVV's registration page tells you to apply for one separately once you meet the conditions.
A worked sequence
Take a non-EU specialist arriving on a two-year continuous (A) permit. The permit decision comes first, and the residence permit card follows. The DVV form goes in, the appointment is booked within the month, and the passport, permit card and employment contract go into the same folder. The code follows 2 to 3 weeks after the visit, and the municipality of residence comes with it because the A permit meets DVV's test. The tax card, the bank account and the health centre registration all become possible after that.
The law behind it
The personal identity code is issued under section 11 of the Act on the Population Information System and the Certificate Services of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (laki väestötietojärjestelmästä ja Digi- ja väestötietoviraston varmennepalveluista, 661/2009). The municipality of residence is decided under the Municipality of Residence Act (kotikuntalaki, 201/1994).
The date that matters falls one month after the day you submit the DVV form: if you have not visited a service point by then, you start the request again.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a personal identity code in Finland?
DVV's registration page gives 2 to 3 weeks for a request based on work or study and 3 to 4 weeks for other grounds. The clock starts on the day of your in-person visit, so a late appointment delays the code.
Does a personal identity code cost anything?
No. DVV's registration page lists the registration of a foreigner's personal data as free of charge. If you also register a marriage or parenthood, DVV may ask for legalised and translated certificates, which you arrange and pay for separately.
Can I prove my identity with my personal identity code?
No. DVV's personal identity code page states that you cannot prove your identity only by stating the code. Authorities and banks also need an identity document or electronic identification.
Does my personal identity code show my nationality or residence status?
No. DVV's personal identity code page states that the code shows only your date of birth and recorded gender. It contains no nationality, municipality of residence or right of residence.
Can I change my personal identity code?
Only in narrow cases. DVV's personal identity code page allows a change if your date of birth or gender was registered incorrectly or your gender is legally confirmed, and in very exceptional cases to protect your health or safety or after repeated misuse of the code.
Sources
- Digital and Population Data Services Agency, Registration of a foreigner, checked 1 October 2026
- Digital and Population Data Services Agency, Personal identity code, checked 1 October 2026
- Digital and Population Data Services Agency, Municipality of residence, checked 1 October 2026
- Tax Administration, Work in Finland, checked 1 October 2026
- Finlex, Laki väestötietojärjestelmästä ja Digi- ja väestötietoviraston varmennepalveluista 661/2009, checked 1 October 2026
- Finlex, Kotikuntalaki 201/1994, checked 1 October 2026
Last updated: October 2026