Finland's 11-character personal identity code — required for Finnish tax registration, banking, property ownership, and public services. Issued by DVV (Digital and Population Data Services Agency) to all residents.
The henkilotunnus (abbreviated HETU) is Finland's personal identity code, issued by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) to all persons registered as residents in Finland. The format is DDMMYY-XXXC, where the first six characters encode the date of birth, a separator indicates the century, XXXX is a running serial number, and C is a calculated check character.
For expats moving to Finland, registering with DVV and obtaining a henkilotunnus is the essential first step. Without it, opening a Finnish bank account is practically impossible, access to Finnish public healthcare is restricted, and Finnish property cannot be registered in the Kiinteistorekisteri (National Land Survey property register). EU/EEA citizens register their residency at their local DVV service point (palvelupiste).
Non-EU/EEA nationals require a Finnish residence permit from the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) before they can register for a henkilotunnus. Non-residents can obtain a Finnish tax number (veronumero) and register with Vero without a henkilotunnus, but practical limitations are significant.
Finnish property registration requires the buyer's henkilotunnus. The National Land Survey of Finland (Maanmittauslaitos, MML) maintains the title and mortgage register. When you purchase Finnish real estate, the lainhuuto (title registration) is applied for using your henkilotunnus, and the 4% transfer tax (varainsiirtovero) is paid at that time.
The henkilotunnus is also the foundation for Finnish digital identity — the Suomi.fi identity service used for government portal access and digital signatures. Getting your henkilotunnus early and activating digital services significantly simplifies ongoing Finnish administrative processes.
Visit a DVV service point with your EU/EEA passport, proof of Finnish address, and documentation of your right of residence. Registration and the henkilotunnus are typically provided on the same visit or within a few days.
Non-resident buyers can purchase using a Finnish tax number (veronumero). For lainhuuto (title registration), a Finnish identifier is required. Your Finnish property lawyer can assist with obtaining the correct identifier and submitting the application.
Not exactly. The henkilotunnus is the general personal identity code. The veronumero is a tax identification number used for tax purposes. Residents use their henkilotunnus as their tax identifier; non-residents without a henkilotunnus use a separate veronumero.
Browse our verified directory of English-speaking law firms across Finland. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 Seconds