Francois Bertrand
I found a former Helsinki expat who had recently moved back to Brazil, so we swapped all the important need-to-knows.
Maria Loura
Some information on InterNations helped me a great deal, and I'm sure other expats in Helsinki feel the same way.
Greek Expats Moving to Finland: Your Questions, Answered
If you’re a new or soon-to-be expat in Finland, you probably aren’t quite sure yet what it will be like. That’s why we gathered the answers to some key questions you may have about life in Finland. If you want to ask more specific questions — or even share your own tips — join InterNations! You’ll be part of a community of new and experienced expats who love to help each other out.
What are the most common nationalities in Finland? As an expat in Finland, you'll meet people from many different cultures (especially if you're an InterNations member!) The top nationalities in the InterNations Communities in Finland currently are:
- Russians
- Indians
- Americans
- British
Which cities are most popular among expats in Finland? Some cities attract more expats than others. These are the cities with the largest expat communities in Finland:
- Helsinki
- Oulu
- Pori
How much rent do expats pay in Finland? Your personal situation plays a role here. Single expats spend on average 915 USD on their accommodation per month, while expat families spend around 1.560 USD. And of course, rents can also vary greatly depending on the location and city within Finland.
To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some rent averages for the most popular cities in Finland.
Average rent in Helsinki
- Single expats: 1.169 USD
- Expat families: 2.078 USD
Average rent in Oulu
- Single expats: 759 USD
- Expat families: 1.316 USD
Average rent in Pori
- Single expats: 572 USD
- Expat families: 928 USD
How safe is Finland? You may be wondering about safety. In general people perceive their personal safety situation in Finland as very safe. People rate the risk of falling victim to petty crime (such as pickpocketing or minor theft) as very low. They consider the chance of being the victim of violent crime (including mugging) very low. And, they rate confidence in the police force and related local authorities as very high.
How safe is Finland for women? Female expats rated the safety situation in Finland as very safe. This is based on the feedback of expat women living in Finland (rather than actual crime statistics). So obviously this can be highly subjective and depends on factors such as where people live.
Meet other Greeks at our events in Finland
Attend our monthly events and activities for Greeks expatriates to get to know like-minded expatriates in real life.
Why Greek expats move abroad (& how they like it)
Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our Greek members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.
Our Global Partners
Pursue your hobbies with amazing new friends
Do you want to continue with your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living abroad? There’s a variety of InterNations Groups you can join, including everything from sightseeing to hiking. These are run by dedicated Consuls with at least one activity each month, such as dinners in the cities finest restaurants, sports or outings with other expats to explore all that your new home has to offer.
Tips and Advice on Finland from Your Fellow Greek Expats
Obviously, expat life in Finland goes well beyond shipping your belongings and taking care of red tape. Socializing with fellow Greeks is an important facet of living abroad and can be a huge stepping stone in getting to know the Finnish mentality and way of life. Greeks in Finland are a part of our community, calling cities such as Oulu, Pori, Helsinki, and many others home. You can use InterNations to look for fellow Greeks in Helsinki, for example.
Wondering where to shop for Greek delicatessen, want to discuss your national team's latest match, or simply talk to someone in your native language? Become a member of the Finnish InterNations Community!
- Our network is the best place to meet expats from Greece.
- On the Finland Expat Forums, you can get competent answers to all your expat-related questions: how to find a babysitter fluent in your mother tongue, where to get moussaka in Helsinki, etc.
- The InterNations Places database for Finland has information on the nearest Greek embassy and many other institutions.
From the\ thousands\ of\ lakes\ and\ little\ islands to its\ beautiful\ birch\ forests\ and\ coniferous\ taiga\ woods, you can meet supportive and friendly Greek expats in Finland on InterNations.
Meet and Mingle with Fellow Greeks in Finland
Additionally, InterNations hosts regular expat events and activities in Finland. Our get-togethers are sure to cater to your taste as well: as a member, you can partake in cozy gatherings to enjoy some Finnish poronk\äristys, join one of our huge expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Helsinki’s best locations, and much more. Want to discover Finland? Go on a weekend trip with your fellow expats to see the\ historical\ province\ of\ Uusimaa and other beautiful landmarks.
Our meet-ups and activities offer many wonderful opportunities to mingle with expatriates hailing from Greece and dozens of other countries in a casual setting. Just sign up for your InterNations membership and you’ll soon hear a cordial Yasu from our Greeks living in Finland!