A Finnish personal identity code (henkilötunnus) is an 11-character identifier issued by the Finnish authorities to record your information in public registers. Depending on your situation, you get it from the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri), which in most cases issues one automatically when it grants a residence permit or residence card or registers your EU right of residence; from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto, or DVV) after you arrive; or from the Tax Administration (Verohallinto, or Vero) when you start work. Getting the code gives you an identity number, but it does not grant you a municipality of residence (kotikunta) on its own.

What the code is, what it is used for, and what it is not

The personal identity code identifies a person in authorities' registers and data exchange; no two people share one. Banks, insurance companies and private healthcare providers may also need the code to register information for the right person. According to Migri, the code is formed from your date of birth and gender, has 11 characters, and is needed with authorities, banks and employers.

Stating the code does not prove your identity. The code shows date of birth and registered gender only; it does not show nationality, municipality of residence or right of residence. Under section 29(5) of the Data Protection Act (1050/2018), the code, alone or with the name, may not be the only means of identifying a person. Other personal data is also needed to identify you reliably, for example when you open a bank account in Finland.

The code is meant to be permanent. It changes only for an incorrectly registered birth date or gender, a confirmed gender change, or in very exceptional protection or misuse cases.

Reading the code, including the separators introduced in 2023

The code consists of your date of birth (ddmmyy), a century separator, a three-digit individual number, and a control character. For instance, DVV's example code is 131052-308T, which belongs to a person born on 13 October 1952.

The century separator indicates the century of birth:

The decree amendment enabling the new separators entered into force on 1 January 2023. New letters are used as the earlier ranges run out, starting with Y and B. Since 2023, the separator is a distinguishing character, meaning two codes can differ only in the separator and belong to different people. The separator reform did not change codes issued before it, and the separator is still not part of the check-character calculation. Earlier plans for a gender-neutral code, remote registration and a new identification code did not progress.

The three-digit individual number is odd for men and even for women. In practice, the numbers issued are 002–899. The final control character comes from dividing the nine-digit number formed by the birth date and individual number by 31 and taking the remainder.

Route 1 — with the residence permit or EU registration from Migri

When the Finnish Immigration Service (Maahanmuuttovirasto, or Migri) grants a residence permit or residence card, or completes an EU citizen registration, you are in most cases registered automatically and issued a code. Registration via Migri requires three things: a positive decision, no existing registration in the system, and an identity verified by a Finnish authority.

You are registered with the data on your travel document. Spell your name on the application exactly as it appears in your passport or official identity card. If registration was not possible with the permit decision, you can ask DVV for it after arriving in Finland. A Migri residence permit, residence card or EU registration certificate serves as one ground for registration at DVV.

Route 2 — registering at DVV after arrival

You can get a personal identity code directly from DVV if you reside legally in Finland and have grounds such as work with the right to work, studies, or a family member with a registered address in Finland. DVV registration is free of charge.

To apply, complete the online request form, which needs no authentication. A paper form is also available. The same form applies when requesting a municipality of residence. One parent can request a code on the same form for a child under 18 moving at the same time.

Everyone requesting a code, including children, must visit DVV in person within 1 month of submitting the form. Students should first check whether their educational institution has booked a joint visit. Between 2 and 5 people can share one appointment; groups of more than 5 need two appointments. Bring the following to your appointment:

Processing takes 2–3 weeks for work or study requests and 3–4 weeks for other grounds, counted from the day of your in-person visit.

Route 3 — from the Tax Administration when you start work

While DVV issues codes, Migri or the Tax Administration can issue them in specific cases. Vero issues a personal identity code if you need it for tax reasons when starting work. A code is required to obtain an official tax number or a tax card. However, codes for children under 15 can be issued only by DVV.

Only some Vero service points issue codes, but processing is fast, usually taking 1 to 3 business days. You can book an appointment by calling 029 497 010 (or +358 29 497 010 from abroad), or your employer can book it for you. At the service point, you must provide:

If your employment contract or the account of your work is inadequate, Vero cannot give you a code.

Municipality of residence — the part that unlocks healthcare and day care

Receiving a personal identity code does not automatically give you a municipality of residence. A municipality of residence is needed to use municipal services such as public healthcare and child day care. With a municipality of residence, you can also get a Finnish identity card and driving licence, and receive financial benefits or subsidies. You can have a municipality of residence in only one country at a time.

To qualify, you must meet the general conditions: you have arrived in Finland, intend to live in the country for at least one year, and are staying legally. You must also satisfy at least one specific condition, such as holding Nordic citizenship, an EU right of residence registered with Migri, a continuous (A) or permanent (P) residence permit, or having a family member who already holds a municipality of residence. For a municipality of residence, a temporary (B) permit valid for at least one year qualifies only with an extra link, such as work or degree studies in Finland lasting at least two years, or one year of continuous temporary residence.

If you do not yet qualify for a municipality of residence, you can register a temporary Finnish address and later change it into a permanent one. You cannot apply for a municipality of residence using a standard change-of-address notification; you must submit DVV's online form. If you got your code from Migri or Vero without a municipality of residence, you can apply to DVV for one when the conditions are met (see first steps after moving to Finland).