New inTurku? This Guide Has Everything You Need
Turku has released a refreshed Newcomer's Guide 2025, a clear, step-by-step handbook that brings together everything a new resident needs to move, live and work in Finland's oldest city.
"We’re building ways for everyone to feel at home and thrive here in Turku," said Mayor Piia Elo, welcoming international arrivals and their families to join a diverse, forward-looking community.
Produced with International House Turku (IHT), the guide centralizes practical information—from immigration and registrations to housing, schooling, healthcare, language courses and public transport—so newcomers can handle essentials quickly and start enjoying daily life by the Aura River. IHT offers multilingual counselling online and in person at Monitori, Aurakatu 8 (Market Square), with weekday opening hours and phone/email support.
What’s inside the guide
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- Moving to Turku: How to apply to the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri), obtain a personal identity code, register at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) for your municipality of residence, enroll with Kela (social security) and set up banking/e-identification and tax matters. The guide explains online portals (e.g., Enter Finland), documents to bring, legalization/translation needs, typical processing times and where to find the closest service points (including Migri Raisio).
- Living in Turku: Rental search tools, average 2025 rent levels (e.g., studios around €560, one-bedroom €680, two-bedroom €870), insurance/utilities basics, day care and school pathways (including Turku International School and Valmo preparatory education), Finnish language options (city courses, Finnishcourses.fi, Kielibuusti, Suomipassi), healthcare through Varha (plus FSHS for degree students), libraries, culture, sport, nature and getting around with Föli buses, city bikes and ferries.
- Working & Studying: Local work culture and work-life balance, employee rights and contracts, unions/unemployment funds, guidance if employment ends (including new protection periods), recognition of regulated professions, entrepreneurship services, and student life.
The 3 most important things for newcomers from our perspective (save this!)
- Do your registrations in the right order. Start with Migri (residence permit/right of residence), then DVV (municipality of residence/personal identity code), then Kela (benefits & Kela card). These unlock banking (e-ID), taxes and almost all public services.
- Use International House Turku as your first stop. IHT provides free, multilingual guidance on immigration, family services, jobs, studies and everyday life—online, by phone/email or at Monitori, Aurakatu 8. It’s the city’s one-door service for newcomers.
- Sort housing, language and healthcare early.Begin rental searches ASAP, budget with 2025 averages, enroll kids in day care/school, book Finnish courses, and set up access to Varha services (or FSHS for students). Early action prevents delays and helps you settle faster.
Inside the handbook, there’s some words from mayor of Turku, Piia Elo; who says "We’re working hard to make your move as smooth as possible. That means more English-language services, better support for settling in, learning the language, and finding your groove. Whether you’re job-hunting, sorting out school for your kids, or just figuring out how things work around here, we’ve got your back."
And now, in the real world...
- STEP 1: Visit International House Turku (Monitori, Aurakatu 8): In the heart of the city find the customer service on weekdays; phone and email support available. Start here for personal guidance.
- STEP 2: Migri → DVV → Kela: From IHT they will tell you to visit them. So, follow the guide’s checklists for documents, online applications and appointments.They are located at Itsenäisyydenaukio 2; first floor, 20800 Turku (after this... you can face Kela).
- STEP 3: Everyday life: Use the guide’s links for housing portals, language schools, Varha healthcare contacts, Föli route planner, libraries and culture calendar.
