You can get a Finnish phone number without any Finnish ID by buying a prepaid SIM, such as Elisa Prepaid or DNA Prepaid, from an R-kioski, a supermarket or the operator's own shop. A monthly plan comes later, once you have a Finnish personal identity code and a registered address.
Why you need a Finnish number early
InfoFinland's moving to Finland checklist lists a phone number among the things to sort out when you arrive. A prepaid SIM lets you start straight away, before your paperwork is done.
Prepaid: the no-ID option
InfoFinland says that with a prepaid subscription you don't need a Finnish personal identity code or an address in Finland. Prepaid cards are sold at R-kioski shops, supermarkets and online.
Two of the big operators say this clearly on their own sites.
DNA Prepaid. DNA's English prepaid page says "No registration or ID needed." You can buy it in DNA stores, at R-kioski, in K and S Group grocery shops and at ABC service stations, or order it online. There is no contract and no monthly bill.
Elisa Prepaid. Elisa's moving to Finland page says that if you don't have a Finnish ID or a permanent address, a prepaid subscription is the easiest option. Elisa sells prepaid starter packs in its own stores, at R-kioski and in S Group and K Group shops.
How long a prepaid number lasts
Each operator sets its own rules. For Elisa, the prepaid instructions say the subscription is valid for three months from the first day of use, and for 12 months from each recharge. Elisa sends a text message before it runs out. DNA sells packages that run for a set number of days, such as 30 days.
The catch: keeping your number
Prepaid numbers that aren't registered to you can't always move with you. Traficom , the Finnish communications regulator, says you can port a prepaid number to another operator only if you are registered and identified as the subscriber. Elisa says its prepaid subscriptions can't be registered under your own name or identity code, and you can't transfer the number to another operator.
So if you give your prepaid number to lots of people, be ready to update them later when you switch to a monthly plan with a new number.
eSIM
You don't need a physical SIM card. Both operators sell prepaid eSIMs:
- DNA sells a prepaid eSIM online that works with any device that supports eSIM and is ready to use straight away.
- Elisa sells a prepaid eSIM through its online shop, delivered directly to your phone without a starter pack.
Check that your phone supports eSIM before you buy.
When you can get a monthly plan
InfoFinland says a normal subscription needs a Finnish personal identity code and an address in Finland, and operators usually check your payment history.
Elisa lists what it needs for a monthly phone or internet subscription:
- A valid Finnish personal identity code. Temporary or test codes aren't accepted.
- A permanent address in Finland that is in the population register.
Elisa also says a residence permit isn't accepted as identification.
Deposits for newcomers
Expect a deposit if you are new. Elisa says that if you have lived in Finland for less than two years, you need to pay a deposit. Its deposit page also lists other reasons, such as when your home address can't be confirmed or there is little payment history because you haven't been in the country long. The deposit can't be paid in instalments, and the order is cancelled if it isn't paid in time.
A simple order of steps
- Day one: buy a prepaid SIM or eSIM at an R-kioski, a supermarket or online.
- Use it for the first weeks: for your landlord, employer and bank appointments.
- Get your identity code and register your address with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).
- Then move to a monthly plan: compare offers, and budget for a possible deposit.
You can compare mobile plans on Landed when you are ready for a monthly contract.
Keeping your number when you change operator
Once you have a registered subscription, Traficom says you can port your number to another operator at any time. The operator has to port it within five working days unless you agree otherwise.
Landed's free checklist puts getting a phone number in the right place among your first moving tasks.
Quick checklist
- Buy a prepaid SIM or eSIM from DNA or Elisa. No Finnish ID needed.
- Check how long the prepaid number stays valid and top up in time.
- Remember an unregistered prepaid number may not move with you later.
- Get your identity code and a registered address before you apply for a monthly plan.
- Budget for a deposit if you have been in Finland under two years.
- Port your number when you switch, once it is registered to you.
