Travelling to another EU Member State on an EU residence permit

The EU residence permit granted by a Schengen State allows free movement and residence in Schengen States for a maximum period of 90 days. If you are travelling to Finland from outside the Schengen area you will need a visa, unless you are a citizen of a visa-free country.

When you wish to stay in Finland for over 90 days, you need to apply for a first residence permit abroad and wait for the decision there before you come to Finland. If you visit Finland while your residence permit application is still pending, you must travel back to your home country when your visa-free period ends or when your visa expires. Applications for a first residence permit can be submitted in Finland only in certain exceptional situations. Read more about how to apply for a first residence permit. 

You can find more information about mobility within the Schengen area on the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (only in Finnish and Swedish).

Do you have questions about travelling? Please see the frequently asked questions and guidelines on the website of the Finnish Border Guard.