Moving to Spain from Finland: Complete 2026 Guide

An estimated 12,000 Finnish citizens call Spain home, making it one of the largest Nordic communities in the country. As an EU citizen, you enjoy full freedom of movement. No visa required.

Key Facts for Finnish Citizens

Visa: Not required (EU citizen)
Registration: NIE certificate required after 90 days
Citizenship: 10 years residency required
Dual Nationality: Finland allows dual citizenship (since 2003), but Spain requires renunciation

EU Free Movement Rights

As a Finnish citizen, you have the fundamental right to live, work, study, and retire in Spain without any visa or work permit. This freedom of movement is one of the core benefits of EU membership. You can enter Spain with your Finnish passport and stay indefinitely.

While no permission is needed to relocate, registration with Spanish authorities is mandatory if your stay exceeds 90 days. This straightforward process grants you official resident status and access to Spanish public services.

Why Finns Choose Spain

Spain is exceptionally popular among Finns, with close to 800,000 Finnish tourists visiting annually. Many decide to make the move permanent:

Climate: Escape Finlands long, dark winters for Spains 300+ days of sunshine
Established Finnish Communities: Fuengirola (Costa del Sol) is home to the second-largest Finnish community in the world, after Sweden
Finnish Services: Finnish schools, churches, health centers, and SOS volunteer groups in popular areas
Cost of Living: Significantly lower than Finland, especially housing and daily expenses
Healthcare: High-quality healthcare system, with Finnish-speaking support available in some areas
Retirement Haven: Popular choice for Finnish retirees seeking warmer, healthier climates
Growing Expat Community: Finns are the fastest-growing European community in Malaga province

Registration Process

EU citizens must complete several administrative steps when establishing residence in Spain:

Empadronamiento. Register at your local town hall (Ayuntamiento) to establish official residence. This is your first step and required for most other procedures.

NIE Certificate (Green Card). Apply at the Foreigners Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) or police station. This foreigner identification number is essential for working, buying property, or opening a bank account.

Social Security Number. Required if you plan to work in Spain. Apply at the Social Security office (Tesoreria General de la Seguridad Social).

Tax Registration (NIF). Necessary if you become a Spanish tax resident or conduct economic activities in Spain.

To register as an EU citizen, youll need to demonstrate sufficient resources to support yourself and have health insurance coverage. This can be through employment, self-employment, Kela pension payments, or savings.

Path to Spanish Citizenship

Finnish citizens can apply for Spanish citizenship after 10 years of legal and continuous residence in Spain. This is the standard requirement for most EU nationalities.

Important dual citizenship consideration: Finland has allowed multiple citizenship since June 1, 2003, without any restrictions or conditions. However, Spain does not have a dual citizenship agreement with Finland. This means that if a Finnish citizen acquires Spanish citizenship, Spain will require renunciation of Finnish citizenship.

Since Finland allows dual citizenship, you would not automatically lose Finnish citizenship from Finlands perspective. Finnish law does not require you to renounce. However, Spain requires formal renunciation as part of the naturalization process. Most Finnish residents in Spain choose to maintain their Finnish citizenship and EU residence rights rather than pursue Spanish citizenship.

Requirements for Spanish citizenship include:

10 years of legal, continuous residence
Clean criminal record in Spain and Finland
Passing the DELE A2 Spanish language exam
Passing the CCSE (Constitutional and Sociocultural Knowledge of Spain) exam
Proof of integration into Spanish society

Spanish Consulates in Finland

Spain maintains diplomatic representations in Finland:

Embassy of Spain in Helsinki. Kalliolinnantie 6, 00140 Helsinki. Tel: +358 9 6877 080. Email: [email protected] (general), [email protected] (consular). Accessible by Tram 3 (Kaivopuisto stop).

Honorary Consulate in Rovaniemi. Serves Lapland region.

Honorary Consulate in Tampere. Serves central Finland.

Honorary Consulate in Turku. Serves southwest Finland.

Emergency contact for Spanish citizens: +358 40 5511503 (out of hours, for serious emergencies only).

Tax Considerations

Finland-Spain Tax Framework

Both Finland and Spain are EU member states and follow EU tax coordination rules. A comprehensive Double Taxation Agreement exists between the two countries.

183-Day Rule: If you spend more than 183 days per year in Spain, you become a Spanish tax resident and must pay taxes on your worldwide income to Spain.

Key Points:

Finnish Pensions: Kela and work pensions have specific treatment under the tax treaty. Professional advice recommended
Employment Income: Taxed in the country where the work is performed
Tax Rate Comparison: Spanish tax rates are generally lower than Finnish rates, potentially beneficial for high earners and retirees
Beckham Law: Special tax regime for new residents may offer flat 24% tax rate for 6 years on Spanish-source income
Wealth Tax: Spain has a wealth tax. Important consideration for high-net-worth individuals
Social Security: EU coordination rules apply. You generally pay into one system only

Finnish Support Services in Spain

Finland has established excellent support networks in Spain for its citizens:

Finnish Churches: Sjomannskirken (Seamens Church) locations in popular areas
Finnish Schools: Including the well-known Finnish school in Fuengirola
SOS Finland Groups: Volunteer organizations providing emergency assistance in Spain, Greece, and other countries
Finnish Health Centers: Some areas have Finnish-speaking medical services
Kela Services: Finnish social insurance services available for residents abroad

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do most Finns live in Spain?

The largest concentration is around Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol, which has the worlds second-largest Finnish community. The Canary Islands (especially Gran Canaria, with Arguineguin being popular) and Costa Blanca also have significant Finnish populations. Many Finns also winter in Spain (talviasukkaat).

Can I keep my Finnish citizenship if I become Spanish?

Finland allows dual citizenship without conditions. However, Spain requires renunciation of Finnish citizenship when naturalizing. Most Finns in Spain choose to maintain their Finnish citizenship and EU residence rights rather than pursue Spanish nationality.

Can I continue receiving Kela benefits in Spain?

Some Finnish social security benefits can be maintained while living in Spain under EU coordination rules. However, the specific rules depend on your situation (pensioner, worker, etc.). Coordination with Kela is essential before relocating.

Are there Finnish-speaking services in Spain?

Yes, especially in areas with large Finnish communities like Fuengirola and the Canary Islands. You can find Finnish-speaking doctors, churches, schools, and various support services. The SOS Finland volunteer groups also provide emergency assistance.

We Handle Everything

Relocating to Spain involves numerous administrative procedures that can be complex and time-consuming. Our team specializes in helping Finnish citizens navigate Spanish bureaucracy efficiently.

We assist with:

NIE registration and EU residence documentation
Tax residency planning and Kela coordination
Social security coordination between Finland and Spain
Property purchase procedures
Business establishment in Spain
Citizenship applications (with full dual nationality implications advice)

Schedule a Consultation

This guide provides general information about moving to Spain from Finland as of 2026. Immigration and tax laws can change. For advice specific to your situation, please consult with our legal team or book a consultation.