PERSONAL IDENTITY CODE
AND HOME MUNICIPALITY –
what on earth is it?
PERSONAL IDENTITY CODE
In Finland, a centralised and computerised population register
is used. This register is known as the Population Information
System, and it is maintained locally by the Local Register
Offices.
Every person entered in the Population Information System
is assigned a unique Personal Identity Code. Your Personal
Identity Code will usually remain the same throughout your life,
and two persons cannot have the same code.
In Finland, you will need a Personal Identity
Code – but do not let anyone else know it!
The Personal Identity Code is used to identify persons in the
registers of different authorities. It may also be used in registers
maintained by private sector actors, including banks. Otherwise,
however, you should keep your Personal Identity Code to yourself, as another person might use it to try and impersonate you.
You should also remember that you do not necessarily have a
right to social security in Finland just because you have been
assigned a Personal Identity Code.
How can I get a Personal Identity Code?
You will need to request a Personal Identity Code yourself.
To make the request, a personal visit at an authority is always
required, as the authority will identify you on the basis of your
passport or other identity document.
You may already have a Personal Identity Code, for example if
you have been working in Finland. In this case, a new Personal
Identity Code will not be assigned to you, and you should use
the one you were given earlier. In this case it is enough to visit
a Local Register Office and submit a notification of move to get
a home municipality.
You may already have requested a Personal Identity Code in
your application for a residence permit or asylum. If your
application is still pending, you can request a Personal Identity
Code from the Finnish Immigration Service until a decision has
been made on your application.
If a Personal Identity Code was not assigned to you as you
received a residence permit or if you do not need a residence
permit, you can contact the tax office to request a Personal
Identity Code for tax purposes. If you are a citizen of an EU or
EEA Member State or Switzerland, you can request a Personal
Identity Code as you register your residence with the police.
In addition to these authorities, you can always contact the
Local Register Office to request a Personal Identity Code.
This is how your Personal Identity Code
is formed:
ddmmyyCnnnX
e.g.
2 8 0 6 7 5 -012M
ddmmyy: Your date of birth | In the order day-month-year,
each in two-digit form.
C: Century sign | Shows in which century you were born.
(+ = 1800s, - = 1900s, A = 2000s)
nnn: Individual number | Distinguishes you from others born
on the same date.
X: Check sign | Calculated with a certain formula.
HOME MUNICIPALITY
As a resident you are part of the local
community
Finland is divided into self-governing local areas, or municipalities. The municipality is responsible for providing such services
as health care and basic education in its area. Each resident of
the municipality has a vote in municipal elections where local
decision-makers are elected. A resident has the right to use
the different services provided by the municipality. Entitlement
to certain social security services and benefits provided by the
central government may also depend on being a resident in a
municipality.
Being a resident means you have a home
municipality
You are a resident in a municipality when you live in the area of
that municipality permanently as defined under the law. This is
called your home municipality. When you submit a notification
of move required under the law and the conditions stated in
the law are met, the Local Register Office will record your home
municipality and the address of your permanent residence in
the Population Information System. The authorities usually trust
the information shown in the Population Information System.
If you intend to live in Finland for less than a year, you would not
usually be regarded as living here permanently, and no home
municipality would be recorded for you.
How can I get a home municipality?
When you move to Finland from abroad, you must always visit
a Local Register Office in person to be assigned a home
municipality – also if you have been assigned a Personal Identity
Code by some other authority.
What if I move house?
Everyone in Finland has the right to choose where they live.
If you move to a different address, different municipality or back
abroad for at least three months, you must submit a notification
of move to the Local Register Office. The most convenient way
of doing this is online (muuttoilmoitus.fi) if you have Finnish
Internet banking access codes or a personal identity card issued
by the Finnish police. Otherwise you must fill in a form that you
can pick up at a post office or a Local Register Office.
The Local Register Office will process your notification and
decide whether your move is permanent or temporary. If the
move is permanent and you are moving into the area of another
municipality, your home municipality will change. If you move
abroad to live there permanently, you will no longer have a
home municipality in Finland.
What documents should I bring?
When you come in to request a Personal Identity Code or a
home municipality, you should bring the following documents:
• your passport
• your residence permit card or other proof that you have
entered the country legally
• your employment contract if you are working in Finland
• a study certificate if you are a student in Finland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, an official photo ID
issued by your state of nationality will be accepted instead of
a passport.
If an authority or someone else requests that you obtain
a Personal Identity Code or a home municipality, ask for a
written explanation for why they are needed.
PLEASE NOTE! If you arrived in Finland
as an asylum seeker or a quota refugee and
you do not have proof of identity,
you should fill in on the registration form
the same personal data as on your
residence permit card.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Did this not answer all of your questions?
Please contact a Local Register Office for further information.
Visit maistraatti.fi to check the location of your nearest
Local Register Office online!
POPULATION REGISTER CENTRE
P.O.Box 123 (Lintulahdenkuja 4)
FI-00531 HELSINKI, FINLAND
OFFICE IN KOKKOLA
P.O.Box 5 (Teknologiakatu 7)
FI-67101 KOKKOLA, FINLAND
Tel. +358 295 535 001
Fax +358 9 876 4369
[email protected]
vrk.fi