Practical links
Interested in studying in Turku?
- Higher education institutes in Turku | Turku.fi
- Studying in Turku - International House Turku (ihturku.fi)
- Studyinfo - Study option in Finland (opintopolku.fi)
- Study in Finland
Planning to move
- Moving to Finland Guide (expat-finland.com)
- Living in Finland Guide: Settling into Finnish life, culture & system (expat-finland.com)
- Studying in Finland | Maahanmuuttovirasto (migri.fi) (info on visas, residence permits and other immigration issues
- Quick guide when you move to Finland - kela.fi
Guidance and councelling
- First Steps | Turku.fi
- Personal guide - Career in Southwest Finland
- International House Turku (ihturku.fi)
Registration of a foreigner
Bank Services
As most services in Finland are used and accessed online, you will need online banking credentials to log into them. In this manner, Finland is different compared to most other countries. You will need online banking credentials for paying bills, buying train/bus tickets and opening a mobile phone/internet connection etc.
- Everyday life in Finland - InfoFinland (information about opening a bank account)
- Financial Matters | University of Turku (utu.fi)
Mobile Phones
Once you arrive in Finland and want to use your mobile phone inexpensively, it is best to purchase a prepaid mobile subscription. Prepaid sim cards can always be purchased from an operator’s store, located in the city center and several shopping malls. R-Kioski kiosks also sell prepaid sim cards.
ESN Finland has a partnership with local operator (DNA). Exchange students get free sim cards:
Living in Finland and Turku
- Living in Turku - International House Turku (ihturku.fi)
- This is Finland
- Your Official Finland Travel Guide | Visit Finland
- Finland travel | Europe - Lonely Planet
- Turku – Travel guide at Wikivoyage
- Move to Turku | Turku.fi
- Life in Finland: a short introduction to Finnish culture and society.
- Information for Admitted Students | University of Turku (utu.fi) (Answers general questions concerning living, studying, or working in Turku for all international and exchange students coming to study in Turku.)
Grocery stores
Finland has few supermarket chains and they are easy to recognize. Because distances are quite short, even hypermarkets are somewhat close by and always accessible by bus. In Turku, you will find most of your daily foodstuffs from these places. Opening hours in Finland vary from one store and chain to another. Commonly supermarkets are open between 7am and 11pm depending on their location and size – smaller supermarkets are usually open till 11pm, while hypermarkets close at 9pm. K-Citymarket Kupittaa is open 24/7.
Supermarket chains:
- Prisma, S-Market, Sale and Alepa
- K-Citymarket, K-Kauppa
- Lidl
Restaurants, Cafes & Bars
The city center, especially along the River Aura, is a hotspot for all types of restaurants. Read more and find the ones best suitable for you:
Public holidays
On public holidays shops often have shorter/limited opening hours, the universities and UAS are closed, and public transportation follows the timetables for Sundays. Check the list of public holidays and festivities:
- Flag Days and Holidays - Yliopiston almanakkatoimisto (helsinki.fi)
- Wandering witches welcome Finnish Easter - thisisFINLAND
- Finland shows carnival colours on May Day - thisisFINLAND
- Enjoying Midsummer the Finnish way - thisisFINLAND
- Christmas traditions - thisisFINLAND
Studying Finnish
You can practice your Finnish language skills in a group at The City of Turku’s Osaamiskeskus this spring 2022. There are many groups with different skill levels.
- Finnish discussion groups this spring 2022 | Turku.fi
- Search Finnish courses | Finnishcourses (Information about Finnish and Swedish language courses in Turku, Helsinki and Tampere regions.)
- Suomipassi – Finnish language passport (utu.fi)