Arriving with Family?
This page provides information for international students with families.
Integration Services and Education
Local municipalities provide a wide range of services to support the integration and wellbeing of immigrants including international students with families.
If you are studying at HAMK and have family members living with you (or planning to join you in Finland), it is important to familiarize yourself with the services available for you and your family. Please see the guidelines below for the city you are moving to.
If you are uncertain about your campus or city, you can check it from here.
NOTE: Families must inform the local city authorities about arriving children and their need for daycare or schooling well in advance. For daycare, applications should typically be submitted at least four (4) months before the need for care begins.
Hämeenlinna & Evo
Multilingual International Service Centre in Hämeenlinna offers advice on everyday matters, such as living, working, studying, forms and applications and free time activities.
You can find information about daycare, pre-primary education, and school placements for your children on Hämeenlinna’s website:
Riihimäki
International House Riihimäki (IHR) offers guidance without appointment to all immigrants including international students with families living in the Riihimäki area (Riihimäki, Hausjärvi, Loppi).
You can find information about daycare, pre-primary education, and school placements for your children on Riihimäki’s website.
Forssa
Kotouttamo in the Forssa region helps immigrants living in Forssa, Humppila, Jokioinen, Tammela and Ypäjä.
You can find information about daycare, pre-primary education, and school placements for your children on Forssa’s website.
Mustiala (Tammela)
Kotouttamo in the Forssa region helps immigrants living in Forssa, Humppila, Jokioinen, Tammela and Ypäjä.
You can find information about daycare, pre-primary education, and school placements for your children on Tammela’s website.
Valkeakoski
Immigrants are provided with information about the working life, education, studies, and services that support integration.
You can find information about daycare, pre-primary education, and school placements for your children on Valkeakoski’s website.
Lepaa (Hattula)
You can find information about daycare, pre-primary education, and school placements for your children on Hattula’s website (in Finnish):
If you are moving to Hämeenlinna with your family, please see the services listed under Hämeenlinna & Evo.
Family Accommodation
We highly recommend that international students arrive in Finland and settle in first before bringing their family. There are several practical arrangements you will need to handle to ensure a smooth start for your family.
Please note that HAMK does NOT provide family accommodation or assistance in finding it. If you arrive with your family, you must secure housing independently from the rental market. When planning your move, please consider the following:
- Rental prices in Finland are high, and the housing market is competitive.
- It might be difficult to receive a housing offer before you are physically in Finland.
- Private apartments do not usually include electricity and water. You must make an electricity contract with a provider, and in some cases a Finnish ID card is required. Processing the ID card typically takes around 6 weeks.
- Private apartments are usually unfurnished. You will need time and resources to furnish the apartment before moving in.
Career support
Career guidance for spouses from HAMK
HAMK Career Services also provides career guidance for the spouses of our international degree students. You can book a 30-minute personal meeting with a career guidance specialist to talk about your situation and plans. You can book a meeting here.
Public Employment Services
If your family member lives in Finland with you and does not have a job, the family member can register as a job seeker in the ‘E-services’ section of Job Market Finland. For more information about the employment services, please visit the website. Please note that these services are not available for full-time students.
General Information
More information for international students with their families on immigration, official registrations and practical matters related to health care, living, working and studying in Finland is available on the following webpages:
NOTE: The most accurate and up‑to‑date information is available by contacting the service providers directly.