Strong authentication (bank ids)

Detailed explanation

In Finland, strong authentication serves as the digital equivalent of showing your ID card in person. The system is built on a trust network where banks and certified providers verify your identity to a high degree of certainty. When you log into a service using strong authentication, you are essentially proving that you are who you claim to be, which allows access to sensitive personal information and official transactions.

The most common method is using your Finnish bank's online banking credentials. Each major bank (Nordea, OP, Danske Bank, S-Pankki, Aktia, and others) participates in the national authentication network. When you authenticate, you are redirected to your bank's secure login page, where you enter your credentials. The bank then confirms your identity to the requesting service without sharing your banking details.

Alternative methods include the Finnish ID card (henkilokortti) with its electronic certificate, the Mobile ID (Mobiilivarmenne) service provided by Finnish telecom operators, and the Digital ID app. The Mobile ID links your mobile phone number to your identity, allowing you to authenticate by entering a PIN on your phone when prompted.

How it affects expats

• •Government services: Required to access Suomi.fi, Kela online services, and tax authority portals

• •Healthcare: Needed to view your health records in Omakanta and book appointments

• •Banking setup priority: Getting a Finnish bank account becomes essential for accessing most services

• •Initial challenge: Many expats face a "chicken and egg" problem: needing authentication to access services but needing services to get authentication

• •Employment: Some employers require strong authentication for HR systems and payroll access

• •Housing applications: Many municipal and private rental services require authenticated login

How to get strong authentication

• Open a Finnish bank account: This is the most common path

• •Requires HETU (personal identity code), valid ID, and proof of address

• •Request online banking credentials when opening the account

• •Receive your credentials by mail within 1-2 weeks

• Get a Finnish ID card: Apply at a police station

• •Includes an electronic certificate for authentication

• •Requires a card reader or NFC-enabled phone

• Set up Mobile ID: Contact your Finnish mobile operator

• •Requires a Finnish phone subscription and HETU

• •Activated through an operator service point

• Use Digital ID app: Download from your bank or app store

• •Links to your existing bank credentials

• •Allows biometric authentication on your phone

Related terms

• •Suomi.fi — A portal for Finnish public e-services and official messages

• •Foreigner's ID number (HETU) — The Finnish personal identity code used by authorities and many services

• •Pankkitili (Bank Account) — Finnish bank account

• •Finnish ID Card (Henkilökortti) — Official identity document issued by the police in Finland, valid for travel within the EU/EEA