Finnish Residence permit for an entrepreneur (and start-up entrepreneur)

Who it's for

Entrepreneur permit: people establishing or running an ongoing, profitable registered business in Finland who work in that business themselves.

Start-up entrepreneur permit: founders of a new, growth-seeking start-up who have secured a positive Business Finland eligibility statement.

Requirements

• Entrepreneur: business registered in Finland's Trade Register and profitable enough to support you
• Entrepreneur: qualifying role — private trader, partner, cooperative member, or ≥30% managerial shareholder
• Entrepreneur: you actively work in the business in Finland (not passive ownership; not freelancing via invoicing services)
• Start-up: positive eligibility statement from Business Finland obtained before applying
• Start-up: sufficient means for the whole permit period (about EUR 1,210 net/month in 2026)
• A valid passport

What you can do

• Run your own business in Finland and live there
• Use the start-up fast track for a quicker decision
• Bring family members via family-ties permits
• Extend the permit (start-up extensions up to four years) and build toward permanent residence

How to apply

Start-up founders first apply to Business Finland for the eligibility statement in Enter Finland, then submit the residence-permit application. Entrepreneurs submit the entrepreneur application, which the ELY Centre assesses for income sufficiency before Migri decides.

Pay the fee and verify your identity at a Finnish mission abroad (first permit) or Migri service point (extension).

Documents

• Valid passport
• Entrepreneur or start-up residence-permit application
• Trade Register extract and business/financial documents (entrepreneur)
• Positive Business Finland eligibility statement (start-up)
• Evidence of sufficient income/funds