---
title: "Finland Start-up founder permit requirements 2026: 2-year stay"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/finland/startup-permit/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-11
---

Finland · Business / Startup

# Finland Start-up founder permit

**First stay:** 2 yrs

Residence permit for a start-up entrepreneur

First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Savings needed:** €1,210 a month ≈ $1,350 (Savings of at least EUR 1,210 a month (≈ $1,350) · Net per month, Helsinki metropolitan area (Espoo, Helsinki, Kauniainen, Vantaa); EUR 1,090 in other large municipalities; EUR 1,030 elsewhere. Required for at least 12 months (EUR 14,520 per year in the metropolitan area); 24 months of funds for a 2-year permit. A fee of EUR 650 (≈ $730) · Online first permit (paper EUR 800); extended EUR 230 online.)
- **First stay:** 2 yrs (First permit 2 years; extended permit up to 4 years for proven continuous income.)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit.)
- **Work:** Yes (Main activity must be running the start-up; other work is allowed alongside.)

## Key facts

Start-up founder permit is a business / startup route for Finland. You can work locally. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.

- **Government fees:** €650 ≈ $730
- **Processing:** Up to 14 days
- **First stay:** 2 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: government fee €650 ≈ $730; decision: up to 14 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: €650 ≈ $730**

- EUR 650 (≈ $730) Online first permit (paper EUR 800 (≈ $890)); extended EUR 230 (≈ $260) online.

**Shown, not spent: €1,210+/mo ≈ $1,350**

- EUR 1,210 a month (≈ $1,350) Net per month, Helsinki metropolitan area (Espoo, Helsinki, Kauniainen, Vantaa); EUR 1,090 (≈ $1,220) in other large municipalities; EUR 1,030 (≈ $1,150) elsewhere. Required for at least 12 months (EUR 14,520 (≈ $16,200) per year in the metropolitan area); 24 months of funds for a 2-year permit.

**Renewal: Renewable**

The first permit is for 2 years; an extended permit of up to 4 years is possible with proven continuous income.

[Finnish Immigration Service](https://migri.fi/en/start-up-entrepreneur)

**Permanent residence: After 6 years of residence**

Only time on a continuous (A) permit counts. Permanent residence takes 6 years with 2 years of work history and satisfactory Finnish or Swedish, or 4 years on the faster paths (income over EUR 40,000, (≈ $44,700) or a master's degree plus work history, or very good language skills).

[Finnish Immigration Service](https://migri.fi/en/amendments-to-aliens-act-regarding-permanent-residence-permits-2026)

**Citizenship: After 8 years of residence**

Citizenship needs 8 years of residence in Finland (applications from 1 October 2024); half of any time on a temporary B permit before an A permit counts.

[Finnish Immigration Service](https://migri.fi/en/citizenship-application)

**Processing: Up to 14 days**

Fast-track processing in two weeks is available for eligible cases.

[Finnish Immigration Service](https://migri.fi/en/start-up-entrepreneur)

**Where to apply: From abroad**

The first permit is applied for from abroad.

[Finnish Immigration Service](https://migri.fi/en/start-up-entrepreneur)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Applications are made from outside Finland, not after arriving
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- Applicant owns a recently founded growth-oriented start-up or is about to establish one.
- A positive Eligibility Statement from Business Finland is required.

#### What you must show

- Net income or funds are at least EUR 1,210 (≈ $1,350) per month in the Helsinki metropolitan area.
- The amount is EUR 1,090 (≈ $1,220) in other large municipalities and EUR 1,030 (≈ $1,150) elsewhere.
- Funds for at least 12 months are required (EUR 14,520 (≈ $16,200) a year in the metropolitan area).
- A 2-year first permit needs funds for 24 months.

#### Documents

- The Eligibility Statement is no more than 4 months old when the application is submitted.
- Bank statements show the money in the applicant's own bank account.

#### Steps

1. The Eligibility Statement is applied for in Enter Finland; one team member can apply for the whole team.
2. The first permit is applied for abroad; a fast-track decision in two weeks is available.
3. If the statement is refused, the entrepreneur permit is the alternative.

## When you become tax resident

How Finland decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **2 years at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** A person is resident with a main abode and home in Finland, or after a continuous stay of more than six months (exactly six months is not enough); temporary absences do not interrupt the stay.
- **Foreign-source income:** Progressive state tax plus municipal tax on worldwide income of residents; example effective rate on pay of EUR 30,000 (≈ $33,500) is 8.5% and on EUR 70,000 (≈ $78,200) is 25.0% (Helsinki resident, Lutheran church member).

[All tax rules for Finland](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/finland/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026

**Full official text**

For founders of a growth-oriented start-up with a positive Eligibility Statement from Business Finland (no older than 4 months); fast-track available. (sources 1, 2)

#### What you must show and pay

- Savings of at least EUR 1,210 a month (≈ $1,350) · Net per month, Helsinki metropolitan area (Espoo, Helsinki, Kauniainen, Vantaa); EUR 1,090 (≈ $1,220) in other large municipalities; EUR 1,030 (≈ $1,150) elsewhere. Required for at least 12 months (EUR 14,520 (≈ $16,200) per year in the metropolitan area); 24 months of funds for a 2-year permit. (sources 1, 2)
- A fee of EUR 650 (≈ $730) · Online first permit (paper EUR 800 (≈ $890)); extended EUR 230 (≈ $260) online. (source 1)

#### Requirements

- Applicant owns a recently founded growth-oriented start-up or is about to establish one. (source 1)
- A positive Eligibility Statement from Business Finland is required. (source 1)
- Net income or funds are at least EUR 1,210 (≈ $1,350) per month in the Helsinki metropolitan area. (sources 1, 2)
- The amount is EUR 1,090 (≈ $1,220) in other large municipalities and EUR 1,030 (≈ $1,150) elsewhere. (sources 1, 2)
- Funds for at least 12 months are required (EUR 14,520 (≈ $16,200) a year in the metropolitan area). (sources 1, 2)
- A 2-year first permit needs funds for 24 months. (source 1)
- The Eligibility Statement is no more than 4 months old when the application is submitted. (source 1)
- Bank statements show the money in the applicant's own bank account. (source 1)
- The Eligibility Statement is applied for in Enter Finland; one team member can apply for the whole team. (source 1)
- The first permit is applied for abroad; a fast-track decision in two weeks is available. (source 1)
- If the statement is refused, the entrepreneur permit is the alternative. (source 1)

#### Stay

- First permit 2 years; extended permit up to 4 years for proven continuous income.
- Initial permitted stay: 24 months.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
- First permit up to 24 months: Requires funds for 2 years; otherwise at least 1 year.
- Extended permit up to 48 months: Only for the period of proven continuous income.

#### Nationality

Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

#### Work

Main activity must be running the start-up; other work is allowed alongside.

Checked 2026-10-11

## Official sources

1. [Residence permit for a start-up entrepreneur](https://migri.fi/en/start-up-entrepreneur) · Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) · checked 2026-10-11
2. [Income requirement (threshold groups)](https://migri.fi/en/income-requirement) · Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) · checked 2026-10-11
3. [Permanent residence rules effective 8 January 2026](https://migri.fi/en/amendments-to-aliens-act-regarding-permanent-residence-permits-2026) · Finnish Immigration Service · checked 2026-10-11
4. [Citizenship for adults (residence period 8 years from 1 October 2024)](https://migri.fi/en/citizenship-application) · Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Period of residence for Finnish citizenship](https://migri.fi/en/period-of-residence) · Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) · checked 2026-10-11

## Start-up founder permit and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Start-up founder permit | – | 2 yr, renewable | Yes |
| [Entrepreneur permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/finland/entrepreneur-permit/) | Needs income of ~€15k a year ≈ $17k | – | Yes |
| [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/startup-visa-89-4/) Portugal | Needs savings of €6,446+ ≈ $7,200 | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Entrepreneur visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/entrepreneur-visa/) Spain | – | 3 yr, renewable | – |
| [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/startup-visa/) Italy | Needs savings of €50k+ ≈ $56k | 1 yr, renewable | – |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Start-up founder permit?

Savings of at least EUR 1,210 a month (≈ $1,350). Net per month, Helsinki metropolitan area (Espoo, Helsinki, Kauniainen, Vantaa); EUR 1,090 (≈ $1,220) in other large municipalities; EUR 1,030 (≈ $1,150) elsewhere. A fee of EUR 650 (≈ $730). Online first permit (paper EUR 800 (≈ $890)); extended EUR 230 (≈ $260) online.

### How long can I stay on the Start-up founder permit?

First permit 2 years; extended permit up to 4 years for proven continuous income.

### How long does the Start-up founder permit take to process?

Fast-track processing in two weeks is available for eligible cases.

### Can I work on the Start-up founder permit?

Yes. Main activity must be running the start-up; other work is allowed alongside.

### Who can apply for the Start-up founder permit?

Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

### Does the Start-up founder permit lead to permanent residence in Finland?

Time on the Start-up founder permit counts toward permanent residence in Finland, which the rules allow after 6 years of residence. Time on the Start-up founder permit counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 8 years of residence.

### How are Start-up founder permit holders taxed in Finland?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Start-up founder permit. The standard rules apply: Progressive state tax plus municipal tax on worldwide income of residents; example effective rate on pay of EUR 30,000 (≈ $33,500) is 8.5% and on EUR 70,000 (≈ $78,200) is 25.0% (Helsinki resident, Lutheran church member).

## More in Finland

[Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/finland/eu-blue-card/) [Intra-company transfer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/finland/ict-permit/) [Consultant permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/finland/consultant-permit/) [Researcher permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/finland/researcher-permit/) [Specialist permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/finland/specialist-permit/) [Visiting teacher](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/finland/visiting-teacher-permit/) [Employee permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/finland/employed-person-permit/) [Athlete or coach](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/finland/athlete-coach-permit/)

## Business / startup visas elsewhere

[🇬🇷 Business investor permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/business-investment-b2/) [🇩🇪 Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/self-employment-21/) [🇫🇷 Entrepreneur / freelancer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/entrepreneur-liberal/) [🇬🇧 Innovator Founder](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/innovator-founder/) [🇳🇱 DAFT self-employed](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/daft-self-employed/) [🇨🇾 Startup visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/startup-visa/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-11 against 5 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Residence permit for a start-up entrepreneur](https://migri.fi/en/start-up-entrepreneur) · Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) · checked 2026-10-11
2. [Income requirement (threshold groups)](https://migri.fi/en/income-requirement) · Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) · checked 2026-10-11
3. [Permanent residence rules effective 8 January 2026](https://migri.fi/en/amendments-to-aliens-act-regarding-permanent-residence-permits-2026) · Finnish Immigration Service · checked 2026-10-11
4. [Citizenship for adults (residence period 8 years from 1 October 2024)](https://migri.fi/en/citizenship-application) · Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Period of residence for Finnish citizenship](https://migri.fi/en/period-of-residence) · Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.