How to work remotely while living in Finland

So, you’re living in Finland and wondering:
“Can I get a remote job in another country — like Germany, the UK, or the US — while staying here?”

You’re not alone! This is one of the most common questions we get from internationals. In this interview, Julia Zhukova will walk you through the most important things to know — from applying for jobs and messaging recruiters to understanding taxes and visas.

Listen to the episode on Spotify.

Here’s a deeper recap of the powerful and practical advice Julia shared.

Should I Message a Recruiter After Applying?

Yes! And you can do it right away.

Once you’ve applied through email or a company’s job link, go ahead and message the recruiter on LinkedIn. You can say something like:

“Hi, I just applied for [Job Title] at [Company]. Just wanted to check if my application went through. Please let me know if you need anything else from me.”

This small step shows initiative — and reminds the recruiter to check your application.

If you don’t hear back after a week, feel free to follow up. You can say:

“Hi again, I applied last week and sent a quick message, but maybe it got lost in your inbox. Just wanted to double-check if the role is still open — and if there’s a chance we could chat.”

Pro tip: Once a week is a good rhythm. Don’t spam — but don’t be afraid to follow up.

What About Taxes If I Work Remotely for a Foreign Company?

Good news: if you live and work in Finland — even if the company is based somewhere else — you’ll usually pay taxes only in Finland.

Here’s how it works:

• If you're hired by a Finnish company or through a Finnish invoicing platform (like Nerdsbay), you pay your regular Finnish taxes.
• If you’re working as a freelancer or contractor, things can get a bit more complex — but Finland has tax agreements with most countries.

Example:
If you’re earning money from Russia (like selling an apartment there), you’d pay taxes in Russia first. Then, if Finnish tax is higher, you’d just pay the difference in Finland.

But if you’re working remotely while living in Finland, your income is taxed here, and that’s it.

What Happens If I Get a Remote Job in Another Country?

Let’s say you get hired by a company in Germany, Poland, or the US.

There are a few options:

1. You Work Through a Finnish Employer Like Nerdsbay

They can hire you as an employee and handle all the paperwork. You keep your visa, pay taxes in Finland, and everything’s smooth.

2. You Work as a Freelancer / Entrepreneur

If you don’t want to be hired as an employee, you can work as a freelancer. That’s totally legal — but you’ll need to:

• Have the right visa (like a family visa or an entrepreneur visa)
• Register with the Finnish tax office (Vero)
• Handle your own tax reporting

If you have a work-based visa (like a specialist visa or blue card), you can’t freelance unless you switch your visa type. So check your visa first!

What About Health and Social Insurance?

If you’re hired through a Finnish company, your health and pension payments are covered just like with any other job.

If you’re a freelancer, you’ll need to:

• Register with YEL (entrepreneur pension system)
• Pay around 18% for social and health coverage

It’s part of being self-employed, but it also means you build up your pension in Finland.

Can I Live in Finland But Work for a UK or US Company?

Yes — but most UK/US companies want employees to live in their country or be legal residents. That’s why many international job seekers choose:

• To work as freelancers through platforms like Upwork or Fiverr
• To get hired through a Finnish “Employer of Record” like Nerdsbay

That way, the foreign company doesn’t have to deal with your visa or taxes — and you still get paid and stay legal.

Can You Help Me Relocate If I’m Working Remotely?

Yes! If you’ve got a remote job offer and want to move to Finland, companies like Nerdsbay can help. They’ll make a hiring agreement with you — and that makes the relocation process smoother and faster.

Final Thoughts

Living in Finland but working remotely for a company abroad? Totally possible.
You just need to:

✅ Check your visa type
✅ Know how your taxes work
✅ Decide whether to be an employee or freelancer
✅ Be proactive with recruiters

Remote work is the future — and borders don’t have to be a barrier anymore. If you need support, we’re here to help!

Got questions? Reach out to Julia on LinkedIn.