As a member of the European Union since 1995 and the only Nordic country to have adopted the euro, Finland has good economic and financial indicators. It is also at the top of many international rankings, whether in terms of quality of life, education or economic stability. Its geographical position between the Scandinavian, Russian and Baltic markets make it a dynamic international market.

Good to know :

Languages Spoken : Finnish, Swedish
Local Currency : Euro
Capital : Helsinki

The conditions for undertaking a Business France V.I.E in Finland

Do you already meet the International Young Talent Program criteria ?
Do you have any doubts about your eligibility ? Feel free to contact us

The conditions for undertaking a Business France V.I.A in Finland

To go to Finland as a V.I.A, you must fulfil the access conditions to the V.I.A.
The administration that is recruiting you is responsible for your residence permit.

Cultural work codes in Finland

- Finns are generally calm and reserved. Naturally direct and straightforward, without pretension or forced humour, they often favour substance over form. In business, you will discover reliable partners and outstanding negotiators.

- On a daily basis, Finns particularly appreciate punctuality and rigour. You are not allowed to deviate from the intended framework! If a meeting is scheduled to last one hour, your contacts will respect this, and will not exceed the allotted time. Moreover, a well-defined agenda is generally set in advance. Everyone must stick to it and arrive prepared. As you can see, Finns are not fans of lengthy meetings!

- In a professional context, communication is based above all on pragmatism. Interviews, meetings or appointments are a time for exchanging information and not a place for debating or arguing different points of view. Thus, for the Finns, the usefulness of a meeting is not necessarily measured by the intensity of the discussion but rather by the quality of the information provided.

- In Finland, business lunches and dinners are not the norm. People are often invited to the office in order to avoid extending the working day. Indeed, the separation between private and professional life is considered sacred. In summer, expect shorter working days, with Finns going home earlier at this time of year. Finally, don’t be surprised to see offices deserted from 21 June to 21 July - this is the time when most Finns take their summer holidays.

Things that may surprise you in Finland

- Finland is generally less well known than its neighbours - Sweden, Denmark or Norway. This lack of knowledge can probably be explained by the fact that Finns do not like to show off too much and put themselves forward. Modesty, wisdom and endurance are the foundations of the Sisu, the Finnish philosophy of life.

- However, Finland can be proud of its numerous success stories, inventions, celebrities and major artists - from the sauna, to Nokia, via Fiskars, F-secure, Wärtsilä, Kone, etc. As for famous Finns, there is the composer Sibelius, the Eurovision award-winning heavy metal group Lordi, the film-making Kaurismäki brothers, the designer Marimekko, the architect Alvar Aalto, as well as the F1 drivers Rosberg, Häkkinen and Räikkönen.

- What you quickly notice when you arrive in Finland is the very strong connection that its inhabitants feel with nature.  This is perhaps the secret to the happiness of Finns, who have to deal with long, harsh winters. Finland is a country where nature and modernity co-exist in harmony. There is no shortage of outdoor activities and the landscapes are breathtaking. While Lapland and its northern lights attract the most attention from visitors, the great lakes region and the coastline are also worth a visit !

- Do you have the spirit of an adventurer, camper or fisherman-gatherer? You will be delighted in Finland given that the “jokamiehen oikeudet” or right of everyone applies. This secular right gives free access to all natural spaces - you can therefore freely plant your tent, go fishing or pick berries or mushrooms. The only condition is to be respectful of nature and clean up behind you.

- Did you know that the Finns are among the largest consumers of coffee in the European Union ? Coffee is an essential part of everyday life and often an opportunity to snack on sweet treats. You must try korvapuusti, delicious cinnamon rolls. After all, to deal with the cold weather in winter, you need to stock up on energy !

- You can't talk about Finland without mentioning saunas, an unforgettable wellness experience. You might be surprised by the fact that saunas are taken totally naked ! Although reserved, Finns usually sit in the sauna with friends or family without any embarrassment. Another cultural (and thermal) shock - after a good sauna, you normally jump into a lake, the snow or, failing that, you take a cold shower. It is invigorating ! 

- Wide stretches of granite, dark forests, endless winters and huge frozen lakes... The Finnish people, like their country, may seem cold at first sight. But don’t be fooled by appearances! Once you get to know them, the Finns are as warm as their summer days and, above all, extremely loyal friends.