Finland

Finland is a comparatively LGBTQIA+-friendly and a safe country located in Northern Europe, with legal protections for trans and queer people. Finland shows strong social acceptance towards LGBTQIA+ community and institutional support, but struggles with bureaucratic and trans-specific healthcare access challenges.

Why Finland?

Finland ranks as world's happiest country for eighth year in a row.

Why does Finland rank as the happiest country in the world by the UN World Happines Report. The answer is rooted in the fundamental trust present throughout the Finnish society, enabling individuals to feel safe and relaxed. Another reason is the proximity of nature and the disconnection it offers. Finland has a good quality of life, education, safety, press freedom, and low levels of corruption. It offers a social welfare system, good public healthcare and education, a stable democracy, and good public services. Finland also has clean nature, low pollution, and a high degree of gender equality and respect for human rights.

Sisu’ affects Finns' experience as the world's happiest people. It is a unique Finnish concept combining grit, resilience, and determination.

How does the salary level in Finland compare to other EU countries?

Finland's average salaries are relatively high compared to many other EU countries, particularly in skilled sectors. However, salaries are generally lower than in countries like Germany, the Netherlands, or Denmark. The Finnish system also includes high taxation, which funds extensive public services. The minimum wage is not defined by law but is regulated through collective agreements by industry.

What is the rent level in Finland compared to other EU countries?

Rental prices in Finland are moderate by EU standards. In major cities like Helsinki, Tampere, or Turku, rents are higher, especially for small apartments. However, compared to cities like Paris, Amsterdam, or Dublin, rent in Finland remains relatively more affordable, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas. Social housing and housing support are also available for those eligible.

Housing in Finland

Why is Finland considered an LGBTQIA+ friendly country?

Finland is regarded as one of the most LGBTQIA+ friendly countries in the EU. Anti-discrimination laws protect individuals on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Same-sex marriage and adoption are legal, gender-affirming healthcare is publicly funded (although under a gatekeeping model), and public attitudes are generally progressive. Pride events are widely celebrated, and LGBTQIA+ rights are actively supported by many civil society organizations.

In Finland, people who belong to sexual and gender minorities (LGBTQIA+) do not frequently encounter verbal harassment or threatening situations in public, even though not everyone in society supports these rights. Public safety remains high, and anti-discrimination laws provide legal protection.

Political Situation in Finland

Finland is a parliamentary republic with a multi-party system, meaning that no single political party has enough support to govern alone. As a result, coalition governments are the norm.

Finland is a parliamentary democracy with multiple political parties. One of the major parties is the Finns Party (Perussuomalaiset), known for its right-wing populist and nationalist stance. The party is often critical of immigration, EU integration, and progressive social policies, including some LGBTQIA+ rights. While they have gained significant support in recent years and are part of the current coalition government (as of 2023–2025), their views have sparked considerable public debate and protest. Nevertheless, Finland’s legal protections and strong civil society continue to uphold fundamental rights for all people, regardless of the ruling parties.

In recent elections have indicated a shift in public sentiment:

Left-Wing Gains: In municipal and regional elections, left-wing parties, the Social Democrats and the Left Alliance made significant gains, while the Finns Party experienced a notable decline in support. This shift suggests growing public support for progressive policies and a potential reevaluation of the current government's direction.

Despite this progress, divisions within the current right-leaning coalition have led to setbacks:

Conversion Therapy Ban Stalled - In March 2025, the Finnish Parliament voted 125 to 49 in favor of a citizens' initiative to ban conversion therapy. Despite this parliamentary support, the government has decided not to advance the proposal during its current term.

Withdrawal from Equality Initiatives - In September 2024, Finland opted not to join the Ukraine Equality Alliance, a decision attributed to Minister Ville Tavio of the Finns Party. The alliance aimed to promote gender and sexual minority rights in Ukraine's reconstruction efforts. This move sparked criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups. Minister Tavio has been reported to avoid including LGBTQIA+ topics in official speeches and has made remarks perceived as dismissive towards LGBTQIA+ issues. Such positions have raised concerns about the government's commitment to promoting equality.

Legal gender recognition

Act on Legal Recognition of Gender was reformed in 2023, allowing adults in Finland to change their legal gender through self-determination, without medical or psychiatric evaluations. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, provide a considered written request, and undergo a reflection period before confirmation. The law removed the previous requirements of infertility, medical diagnosis, and sterilization, aligning Finland with international human rights standards.

Even if you are not a Finnish citizen, you can change your legal gender in Finland as long as you are a legal resident and have a registered your municipality of residence. This application is free of charge. However, aligning your gender marker and name between your Finnish ID and those issued by your country of origin depends on that country's own laws and policies.

Anti-discrimination laws

The Non-Discrimination Act prohibits direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimization based on personal characteristics It applies to both public and private sectors and public bodies and employers are also obligated to promote equality proactively.
The Equality Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender, gender identity and gender expression and obliges to promote gender equality. The Equality Act applies as a rule to all sectors of society and in all areas of life.
Equal Marriage Act Finland legalized equal marriage on 2017, granting same-sex couples the right to marry, adopt jointly, and access the same legal protections as opposite-sex couples. The law replaced the earlier system of registered partnerships and brought full marriage equality under the same legal framework. Equal marriage is recognized regardless of gender identity or gender expression.
Adoption Act grants equal adoption rights regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Same-sex couples can adopt jointly under the same conditions as opposite-sex couples.

Public healthcare

Finland provides public healthcare for residents (residence of municipality). Obtaining residence of municipality depends on your resident permit type. Without municipality of residency your access to public healthcare is limited and must be paid out-of-pocket (only emergency care). Read more about your right for the public healthcare under "moving to Finland".

LGBTQIA+ rights and community

The social environment is increasingly inclusive. People often keeps to themselves and minds their own business, but this also makes it difficult to build relationships with Finnish people. Finland still has quite hetero-normative culture, but there are many local and national NGO’s and other organizations that provides nationwide support and advocacy on LGBTQIA+ rights.

Immigration pathways

Residence permit based on work
- The grounds for your residence permit determine the field in which you may work and the duties you are allowed to perform. If you have an unrestricted right to work, you may change jobs freely. Your right to work begins after you have been granted a residence permit.
Residence permit based on studies
- The educational institution can be a university, a university of applied sciences, a general upper secondary school or a vocational education institution. You cannot be granted a residence permit for studies, if your studies mainly consist of distance learning online and do not require you to stay in Finland.
Entrepreneur’s or start-up entrepreneur’s residence permit
Specialist’s and highly qualified specialist’s residence permit
Researcher’s residence permit
Residence permit on the basis of family ties:
- if a child (a minor under 18 years old) lives in Finland or is a Finnish citizen
- if a spouse or cohabiting partner lives in Finland or is a Finnish citizen (can also be applied for simultaneously with the spouse or partner if they are applying for one of the above residence permits)
- Residence permit on the basis of an intimate relationship

What about asylum?

Finland does not have a list of “safe” or “unsafe” countries, and the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) decides independently whether they investigate an asylum application or dismiss it as manifests unfounded. You should not apply for asylum in Finland if you intend to apply for a residence permit on the basis of work, study, or entrepreneurship, because seeking an asylum prevents you from receiving any other type of residence permit. A rejected asylum application typically leads to removal from the country (deportation) and soon up to a 15-year entry ban. Statistics show that most asylum applications submitted by US citizens in Finland are not examined.

Why not Finland?

As of early 2025, the unemployment rate in Finland is approximately 8.9%, according to Statistics Finland. This rate may vary slightly depending on region, age group, and economic conditions.

Non-binary identities are not legally recognized.
Housing in Finland is somewhat expensive, especially in big cities.
Finnish immigration processes are expensive, slow, complex, and heavily document-based.

First residence permit application must be applied from abroad. (Expectations if you are a family member of a Finnish citizen, you apply for a residence permit for a child born in Finland or you are applying residence permit for humanitarian reasons)

Dark, Long Winters and Harsh Weather

Winters are long, dark, and cold, especially in northern Finland. The sun may not rise for weeks in Lapland during "kaamos" (polar night). But the other hand, bright summers when the sun doesn't set at all (midnight sun).
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is common.
Average January temperatures: -5°C to -30°C depending on the region.

Language Barrier

While many Finns speak English well, most services, forms, and jobs require Finnish or Swedish.
Finnish is a very difficult language to learn (complex grammar).
Lack of language skills limits access in nearly everything.

Job-market

Many roles require fluent Finnish or certified qualifications.
Recognition of US degrees or licenses may be time-consuming.
High youth unemployment and underemployment exist even for locals.

High Taxes

Food and basic services cost more than the EU average.
Income tax, VAT, and other taxes are among the highest globally (but funds public services).

Social Culture

Finnish people are respectful but not very open or expressive. Small talk is rare.
Making friends takes time; social isolation is common among newcomers.
The culture values privacy, quiet, and emotional restraint.

Healthcare

Public healthcare is subsidized, not entirely free. Some out-of-pocket fees apply. (Mental health treatment is free of charge in public healthcare, fee is charged for medical statements).
Wait times for non-emergency care can be weeks or months.

Political Situation for Trans People

Finland’s political climate is moderately supportive, though recent years have seen rising anti-gender rhetoric from far-right parties such as the Finns Party (Perussuomalaiset). Mainstream policies are still broadly in favor of LGBTQIA+ rights.

Access to Trans Healthcare

Finland does not recognize an informed consent model for access to trans-specific healthcare.

Trans-specific healthcare is classified as specialized healthcare in Finland and is covered under the public healthcare system. Access to gender identity services requires a referral from either a general practitioner (GP) or a psychiatrist. The referring doctor does not need to be a specialist.

Referral instructions are available through HUS and TAYS (only in finnish).

Role of the Gender Identity Clinic (Transpoli)

There are only two gender identity clinics in Finland

HUS (Helsinki University Hospital)

and

TAYS (Tampere University Hospital).

These clinics do not provide hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or perform surgeries themselves. Instead, they:

Conduct comprehensive mental health and diagnostic assessments.
Issue official diagnoses (ICD-10: F64.0, Transsexualism) or (ICD-10: F64.8, other gender identity disorders)
Provide referrals to HRT, voice therapy, or surgeries, which are carried out by healthcare providers in your municipality.

Obtaining a diagnosis and accessing treatment may take several years (1-3 years) due to long waiting lists and the "complexity of the diagnostic process".

Gatekeeping Model & Diagnostic Criteria

Trans healthcare in Finland operates under a gatekeeping model, meaning you must meet strict criteria before proceeding to medical transition:

You must demonstrate a stable gender identity for at least two years before a referral is accepted.
Your physical and psychological functioning must be stable. Untreated mental health issues or functional disabilities may delay the process.
The goal of the diagnostic phase is to rule out all other possible explanations for gender dysphoria before confirming a transgender identity.
Individuals with neuropsychiatric disorders (such as autism or ADHD) will face additional requirements:
- If these conditions are already diagnosed, the clinic will consider them as part of the overall assessment.
- If undiagnosed but suspected, the clinic will typically require formal diagnosis before proceeding and may issue a temporary pause.
- In autism cases, sexual therapy may be required to determine whether dysphoria is connected to autism-related experiences.

What to Expect at the Clinic

Initial intake and mental health evaluations.
A series of psychological assessments and interviews over time (taking up to 1-2 years).
If diagnosed, referrals will be provided for medical and legal gender-affirming services.

Recognition of a Foreign in Finland

A diagnosis of transsexualism (ICD-10: F64.0) or other gender identity disorders (ICD-10: F64.8) issued outside Finland can be taken into consideration, but it is not automatically accepted within the Finnish healthcare system.

How a Foreign Diagnosis Is Treated in Finland:

A diagnosis from abroad may support your case, but you might need to undergo a full diagnostic assessment by HUS or TAYS.
Only these two clinics can officially issue a diagnosis that entitles you to gender-affirming medical treatments covered by public healthcare.
Presenting a well-documented foreign diagnosis may shorten the assessment process and support your anamnesis (medical and psychological history).

If you have received an F64.0 diagnosis abroad, prepare the following before attending your Finnish appointment:

An official medical statement confirming the diagnosis and explaining the basis for it.
A certified translation into Finnish or English if the original documents are in another language.
Any supporting documentation regarding your treatment history, psychological support, or gender transition.

Bring these materials when requesting a referral to a gender identity clinic in Finland.