FAQ

We answered the most popular questions about what we do. If you didn't find the answer here, we'll be glad to help you via e-mail or telegram.

Email: eor@sentia.dev

Telegram: @sentiadev_hr

What is an EoR company?
An Employer of Record (EoR) is a third-party organization that takes on the legal responsibilities of employing workers on behalf of another company. This includes handling payroll, tax compliance, benefits administration, and other HR functions, allowing the client company to focus on its core operations. The EoR acts as the legal employer, while the employees work directly for the client company.
Why Finland?
Finland is an attractive country for both living and working for many reasons:

Society
The high proficiency in English here allows for a comfortable life and work experience right after moving, even if you haven't mastered Finnish yet. People in Finland are known for their kindness and responsiveness, and the culture of saunas and a balanced lifestyle contributes to mental well-being.

State
Finland is a parliamentary democracy known for its high position in global rankings of rights and freedoms, providing a secure environment for its residents. The Finnish passport offers broad travel possibilities, and social security is robust, supported by unions, benefits, mutual aid funds, and high-quality public healthcare. The urban infrastructure includes bike paths, parks, and spaces for active recreation.

Digitalization
Finland leads in digitalization within the EU, which minimizes bureaucracy in all service sectors, including banking and public utilities. All public services are available online, and all government agencies are integrated into a unified distributed system. Private clinics can access data from public institutions with a single click (with the client's consent), and vice versa. Exceptions exist only in interactions between different municipalities and only in systems specific to the municipal level, such as local tax or medical institutions with different digital systems.

Internet
Finland also boasts high-quality mobile and fiber optic internet services. The country has extensive coverage of 4G and 5G networks, virtually eliminating the possibility of unexpectedly losing internet access.

Life and Nature
The summer climate in Finland is cool and refreshing, influenced by the Finnish Gulf. The country is rich in parks, green spaces, and lakes, offering excellent conditions for outdoor activities such as camping and hiking.
How does the relocation process work?
Relocating to Finland as a specialist is a fast and efficient procedure. Once we have all agreements signed, you'll need to submit an application for a Residence Permit for specialists via Enter Finland. We specialize in this type of permit because it has a high approval rating—approximately 95% according to Migri. Detailed instructions for completing the application are available on the Migri.

Important points to note
  • Among other documents, you must provide one which verifies that you are legally staying in the country where you submit the application.
  • The online application is cheaper than the paper version; currently, the fee for the first permit is 380 euros.
  • It's advisable to apply for residence permits for your spouse and children on the same day to streamline the process.
  • Approval can take up to two weeks, though it often happens much quicker, ranging from a few days to one week.
  • You can apply for a D visa concurrently with your residence permit application. A D visa allows you to enter Finland and receive your residence permit there, using services like R-kioski for faster processing, rather than having to send it by post to your country of residence. The D visa will be issued immediately upon the approval of your residence permit. The fee for an electronically submitted application of D visa is 95 euros.
  • Upon arrival in Finland and after receiving your residence permit, you must register at the local police station and obtain an ID card. You can email in advance to reserve a slot for your ID registration.
  • Once you obtain your ID card, you can open a bank account at banks such as S-Pankki and OP Bank. This account grants you access to most services within Finland.
What are the labor rules in Finland?
Labor regulations in Finland are designed to ensure fair compensation and work-life balance for employees.

Maximum Hours
The standard work week is capped at 40 hours, typically spread over 5 days with 8 hours per day.

Overtime Pay
  • The first two hours of overtime are compensated at 150% of the employee’s regular hourly rate.
  • Any additional hours are paid at 200% of the regular rate.
Maternity Leave
  • Mothers can take a total of 105 weekdays off (around 4.2 months).
  • A maternity allowance is provided by Kela (Social Insurance Institution of Finland).
Paternity Leave
  • Fathers are entitled to 54 weekdays off.
  • This leave can be split into up to four periods, with the first usually taken immediately after the child's birth, and the rest used before the child turns two.
  • Funded by Kela.
Parental Leave
  • After maternity leave, either parent can share 320 weekdays of parental leave (approximately 12.8 months).
  • This leave can be shared or split between the parents.
  • Also provided by Kela.
Sick Leave
  • Employees can take sick leave if they are medically unfit to work.
  • The employer pays for the first 9 days, after which Kela provides a sickness allowance.
Public Holidays
  • Finland celebrates several public holidays such as New Year's Day, Epiphany, Good Friday, Easter Monday, and others.
  • Employees get a day off on public holidays. Working on a holiday entitles employees to additional compensation, often at double the regular pay rate.
Changes to payroll, such as bonuses, are subject to tax implications.
How can I relocate with my family?
Finland provides comfortable conditions for families with children, including good free education in English and adaptation programs for relocating students.

Spouses and partners of specialists receive benefits, as well as free education and the right to seek employment immediately after moving. To obtain benefits, your spouse must attend integration and language courses. You can also receive support from Kela for your children, such as maternity grants or children's benefits.

To relocate with your family to Finland, you will need an apostilled marriage certificate and a birth certificate for your child. In addition to your salary, you can also sponsor your family members using funds from your bank account. However, meeting the salary requirements remains paramount. It is crucial for those considering relocating with their family to calculate the net salary required to support non-working family members:
  • €1000 for the first adult (applicant)
  • €700 for the second adult (spouse/partner)
  • €500 for the first child
  • €400 for the second child
  • €300 for the third child
What about rent?
Keep in mind that finding accommodation can take up to a month. Rental contracts are almost always signed for a year with a deposit equivalent to 1-2 months' rent. You may also be asked to purchase home insurance. Alternatively, you can try using specialized services that own their apartments or houses, where no deposit is required and renting can be faster, but they usually impose more restrictions on tenants.

The average cost of rent varies depending on the area and size of the apartment:
  • Studio: €600-700 per month
  • One-bedroom apartment: €900-1100 per month
  • Two-bedroom apartment: €1200-2450 per month
Here are a few popular renting websites:
https://www.vuokraovi.com/?locale=en
https://juliliving.com/juli-rental-apartments
https://asunnot.oikotie.fi/vuokra-asunnot
How can I move to Finland with pets?
To relocate with your pets, they must have a veterinary passport, be microchipped, and be vaccinated against rabies. You can bring no more than five animals per person, and they must be at least four months old.
Finland is one of the most pet-friendly countries in Europe. Cities have designated areas where your dog can run and play freely without a leash. Many modern residential complexes have amenities for pets, such as special rooms for washing dogs, play areas, and training grounds. Additionally, there are many pet-friendly cafes and shops in Helsinki and other cities. We can also help you with booking pet-friendly hostels and pet hotels in Helsinki

Keep in mind that some landlords may require an additional fee for pets, so it’s important to clarify these details in advance. The apartment owner may also ask you to obtain home insurance that includes coverage for any damage caused by your pet.
What should I know about owning and operating a car in Finland?
In Finland, if you move to the country and become a resident, you are required to register your vehicle locally. This registration process involves paying a car tax, which is calculated based on the CO2 emissions of the vehicle. The tax rate can indeed vary, often falling within the range of 20-30% of the car's value as determined under Finnish regulations.
For driving any car in Finland, mandatory traffic insurance (liikennevakuutus) is required. It covers damages for which the driver is liable to another party. Additionally, there's an optional comprehensive insurance ("Kasko") covering various damages to your own vehicle, such as those from storms or parking accidents. The costs and coverage of "Kasko" vary based on the insurer and the policy details, averaging about 40-70 euros.
Besides these, a driving power tax (käyttövoimavero) applies annually to vehicles. This tax varies depending on the vehicle's specifications and fuel type (higher for diesel), ranging widely from 150 to 700 euros.
If you're looking for more up-to-date or specific information regarding vehicle registration and taxes in Finland, it would be best to visit the official Finnish Transport and Communications Agency website.

Some more information about cars in Finland:
  • The average cost of gasoline in Finland is about 1.9 euros per liter.
  • All vehicles must undergo an annual inspection, which costs around 50-100 euros.
  • The cost of parking varies. In the city center, parking can cost about 100 euros per month, while in residential areas, it is around 30 euros.
What about medical care in Finland?
Medical care in Finland is known for its high quality and comprehensive coverage.

Public Healthcare System
Finland provides an extensive public healthcare system funded through taxes, ensuring residents have access to essential medical care, including general practitioner visits, specialist consultations, and hospital treatments.
Key points include:
  • General medical care, specialist consultations, hospital treatments.
  • Residents are entitled to various benefits provided by Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland), including sickness allowances and parental leave compensation.
  • If your annual drug expenses exceed 600 euros, Kela compensates a portion of the excess costs.

Private Health Insurance through Sentia (OP Insurance)
For additional coverage, Sentia offers comprehensive private health insurance options through Pohjola Insurance, a part of OP Financial Group. It has lesser waiting time for the appointment and provides a premium experience.
Here are the details of the Extra Health Insurance package we provide:
  • Provides direct access to a GP or a specialist physician without consultation with the occupational health care service.
  • Covers examinations, care, and operations.
  • Includes coverage for medication in addition to examinations, care, operations, and extensive physiotherapy.
  • Hospitals/clinics and pharmacies invoice Pohjola Insurance directly, making the process seamless for you.
What are the living costs in Finland?
The cost of groceries and household goods in Finland is not very high, even when compared to Eastern European countries.

  • Weekly shopping will cost you about 50-100 euros per person when purchasing groceries at supermarkets like K-Market, S-Market, or Lidl.
  • Dining out will be pricier — on average, 12-20 euros for a meal in an café. Dinner in a mid-range restaurant will cost 30-50 euros per person.
Any service involving personnel, such as delivery, taxis, and barber shops, tends to be more expensive. For instance, cleaning services in Helsinki will cost you about 50 euros. In summary, the total living expenses per person will amount to 700-1000 euros, excluding rent.
When can I obtain Finnish citizenship?
You must have lived in Finland for the past five years without interruption. Vacations and secondments outside of Finland do not interrupt your period of residence. You must pass a language test (Finnish or Swedish) to prove your satisfactory language skills (intermediate level is enough).
What about taxes In Finland?
In Finland, a progressive tax system is utilized, meaning that the tax rate increases in proportion to the rise in income levels. You can calculate your taxes with the calculator provided by the official Finnish tax office.

How to do it quickly:
  • Background: For parish choose Civil Register and fill the rest of the page
  • Income: You only need to fill "Pay and fringe benefits: estimate for the entire year"
  • Deductions: Skip
  • Calculation result: scroll to the end of the page. Your resulting personal tax rate is the sum of the "tax rate" and "insurance contribution" (fixed at 7,94%). The additional withholding rate applies to you only if you receive more money than you declared.

Additionally, there are significant tax deduction opportunities in Finland, such as deductions for travel expenses and remote working, including work tools like laptops. You can find more detailed information on these deductions here.
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