Muuttoilmoitus: change of address notification

Detailed explanation

In Finland, keeping your registered address current is a legal requirement. When you move to a new address, you must notify DVV within one week of your move. This notification can be submitted up to one month before your moving date, allowing you to handle the paperwork early.

The muuttoilmoitus is more than just administrative paperwork - your registered address determines many important things. It affects which municipality collects your taxes, which health center you're assigned to, where you can vote, and which services you're entitled to in your area. Many official letters and cards are sent to your registered address, so keeping it current ensures you receive important correspondence.

When you submit a muuttoilmoitus, the new address automatically updates across many government systems. However, you'll still need to separately notify some services like banks, insurance companies, employers, and subscription services.

How it affects expats

• Legal obligation: You must report your address within one week of moving
• Services are tied to address: Healthcare, voting rights, and municipal services depend on your registered address
• Official mail: Tax cards, Kela decisions, and other official documents go to your registered address
• Identity verification: Your registered address appears on official documents and may be verified
• Municipality matters: Moving between municipalities changes your tax municipality and service providers
• New to Finland: Your first address registration is done through DVV when you register your residence

How to submit a muuttoilmoitus

Online (recommended):

1. Go to dvv.fi and log in with strong authentication (bank ID or mobile certificate)
2. Select "Moving notification" (Muuttoilmoitus)
3. Enter your new address and moving date
4. Confirm the information and submit

By paper form:

1. Get the paper form from Posti or a DVV service location (it cannot be filled in or printed online)
2. Fill in your current and new address details
3. Sign and date the form
4. Return it to Posti or a DVV service location (show ID if you also use the form to give information to Posti)

At a DVV service point:

1. Visit in person with identification
2. Staff can help you complete the notification
3. Useful if you have questions or special circumstances

What you need for the notification

• Your personal identity code (HETU)
• Current address
• New address (with apartment number if applicable)
• Moving date
• Information about others moving with you (family members can submit together)

Additional notifications to make

While DVV notifies many authorities automatically, you should separately contact:

• Posti (Finnish Post): For mail forwarding service (osoitteenmuutospalvelu)
• Bank: Update your address for statements and cards
• Employer: For payroll and tax purposes
• Insurance companies: Home insurance and others
• Mobile operator: For billing purposes
• Subscriptions: Magazines, streaming services, etc.
• Healthcare providers: Private clinics and dentists

Mail forwarding service

Posti offers a mail forwarding service that redirects mail from your old address to your new one. This costs a fee but ensures you don't miss important correspondence. You can order this service at posti.fi or at post offices.

Related terms

• DVV: Population Register
• Väestörekisteri (Population Register): Finland's official population database containing personal information of all registered residents, managed by DVV
• Osoitteenmuutos (Address Change): The process of updating your address with various services and authorities when moving in Finland
• Kotikunta (Municipality of Residence): Your official municipality of residence, which can affect access to public services