Finland has become the happiest country in the world for the seventh year in a row, because it has a developed social sphere, a friendly local population, good transport infrastructure and a high level of development of the health care system. All these factors attract more and more expats to the country. However, before planning a move, it is important to know the average cost of living in the country. Find out the prices of accommodation, food, entertainment and more in Finland in 2024

Order an insurance policy for safe travel, stay or work abroad

BUY

Finland is recognized as a country with the most favorable conditions for life, which attract expats from different parts of the world, including citizens of Portugal, Uzbekistan and Benin. The state has a well-developed infrastructure and social services. Also, Finland is included in the list of the safest countries in the world. However, the cost of living and taxes in Finland are higher than the EU average.

Read more about prices in Finland and what expenses expats should expect when planning to move to the country in this article.

Is it expensive to live in Finland?

It is customary to believe that prices in Finland are quite high, but it should also be taken into account that there are high wages that compensate for costs.

The cost of living in Finland is lower than in 50% of Western European countries. Also, if we compare prices with other countries, we can say that living in Finland is 9.8% cheaper than in the United States of America. If you compare Finland with other Scandinavian countries, you can see that Finland is slightly more expensive than Sweden, but still cheaper than Denmark and Norway.

The cost of living, of course, depends on which city in Finland you will stay in and which accommodation you will choose. In particular, life in Helsinki and its surroundings will be more expensive, since it is the capital of Finland.

In general, for a comfortable life in the big cities of Finland, a family of two needs to have a budget of €2,200 to €2,400 per month. In rural areas or outside large cities, these costs will be slightly lower. Estimated monthly expenses for a family of four are 4,328 euros.

Property rental prices in Finland

As in most European countries, renting a home in Finland will be the largest item of expenditure. Expect to spend up to 30% of your budget on rental property in Finland.

You can rent two types of housing in Finland: municipal apartments or private housing:

- Municipal housing

In municipal housing, the rent will be lower, because the state denies residents a subsidy. The rental company has 16,300 state-subsidized apartments in 55 cities and municipalities of the country.

A two-room apartment in Helsinki will cost from €700 to €1,200 per month. In Turku, Oulu or Vantaa from €600. However, the process of renting municipal housing can take a little longer, because applicants are carefully selected based on a number of criteria: need for housing, income level, etc.

- Private housing

If we consider private housing, renting a one-room apartment in the central part of large cities can cost about 800-1200 euros per month. Prices are slightly lower outside the center.

The cost of housing in Finland depending on the city:

- Helsinki, studio 720€ / 2-room 880€;

- Oulu, studio 610€ / 2-room apartment 820€;

 - Turku, studio 560€ / 2-room 680€.

- Additional costs when renting municipal housing:

Also, an important feature of renting an apartment in Finland is mandatory apartment insurance. The cost of insurance varies depending on the size of the apartment, your personal liability and the amount of coverage. Basic home insurance costs about €100 per year for a 40 m² apartment.

Utility costs in Finland

- The cost of utilities (electricity, heating, water and waste disposal services) varies from 200 to 300€ per month depending on the type of building and location.

- Internet will cost 20-30 € per month.

- Mobile communication will cost - 20-50 € per month.

  - The cost of cleaning services - 40-60€ per hour. Usually, cleaning in a 1- or 2-room apartment lasts up to 2 hours.

To save money in Finland, you can sign a contract with companies that provide electricity, internet and mobile services.

In order to safely move, travel or work in a new country, you will need health insurance. You can issue an extended policy on our website using the link.

Food prices in Finland

An important item of expenditure for most people living in Finland is food. Of course, the amount of expenses will depend on your preferences, but a family of two people should count on the amount of 450-500 euros per month.

Examples of product prices in Finland:

- Minced meat (400 g) – €3.19.

- A loaf of bread – €2.29.

 - Milk 1 liter – €1.09.

- Bananas 1 kg – 2.19€.

 - Potatoes 1 kg – 1.39€.

- How to reduce costs for products in Finland?

Food prices in Finland are high. However, there are plenty of smart ways to keep food costs down: shopping at Lidl, looking for deals and cooking your own meals.

In the evening, many grocery stores also offer special discounts.

Recently, it is more and more fashionable to prefer seasonal vegetables, fruits and berries grown in Finland. From spring to autumn, you can find Finnish products at significantly lower prices and excellent quality.

You can also get money in Finland if you hand over cans and bottles for recycling. The cost of one container is from 10 to 40 cents. A container acceptance machine is installed in the wall of every Finnish supermarket, money can be obtained at the cash register of the store.

Cost of eating out and entertainment in Finland

 When moving to Finland to work, it's equally important to take care of your work-life balance and remember to have fun and relax in your free time.

Eating out is very popular in Finland. One Finn spends about €4,700 a year on visiting restaurants. A full meal in a cafe will cost from €18 to €25. A 2-course dinner with a glass of wine for two in a mid-range restaurant will cost you at least €90 - €120. A cup of coffee and a piece of cake in a cafe costs €8-13.

The average prices for entertainment in Finland are as follows:

- Gym membership - 28-85€/month.

 - Movie ticket – 8-24€.

 - Entrance to the pool - €5.50-8.70.

- Museum ticket – 12-15€.

Transport costs in Finland

Distances are quite long in Finland, especially in rural areas of the country, but public transport works well and the roads are mostly in good condition.

Public transport is mainly represented by buses, but trams and metros also operate in Helsinki.

Average prices:

- Local bus ticket – 3€.

- Monthly transport card in Helsinki – €70.60-€109.70.

- Monthly transport card in Turku €55.

 Children can travel with a 50% discount.

 In small towns and rural areas, you need your own car for a comfortable life. If you own a car, you must take out a vehicle insurance policy (liikennevakuutus). We also note that winter tires are mandatory in winter.

Cars are taxed. Gas prices can fluctuate greatly over a short period of time as they are subject to international fluctuations.

- Vehicle tax starts at €222.65/year.

- The price of gas (per liter) is €1.93-2.40.

The cost of medical services in Finland

For citizens of the country and holders of residence permits in Finland, the public healthcare system is free.

The rest of the expats must pay for treatment services themselves, the cost varies depending on the municipality. A visit to a doctor in a district hospital costs from €20, in a specialized hospital - from €40. Hospital treatment from €50 per day.

Moving to Finland will be a good stage in your life, because it is a country with a rich culture, a rich life, good career prospects for foreigners, as well as its favorable cost.

We will remind you! Finland is known as a safe country that values ​​a healthy work-life balance and offers excellent opportunities for foreign workers. We have already told you what it takes to get a job here in 2024.

Ihor Usyk - head of Visit World's legal department

To organize a safe move to Sweden, I advise you to contact a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations when traveling abroad.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents for Finland;

Legal advice on immigration to Finland;

Travel insurance for foreigners in Finland;

Medical insurance all over the world.

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline.