Finland start-up entrepreneur residence permit in 2026

Finland's start-up entrepreneur permit is designed for founders of recently founded or planned companies that aim for growth. It is not a generic company-owner visa.

Business Finland Eligibility Statement

Before applying for the residence permit, the founder needs a positive Eligibility Statement from Business Finland. When the statement is used for the Migri application, it must generally be no more than four months old.

A positive statement is part of the immigration process; it is not by itself a residence permit.

Financial resources

For 2026, the startup entrepreneur must have net resources of at least:

  • €1,210/month in the Helsinki metropolitan area;
  • €1,090/month in the other large-municipality group; or
  • €1,030/month in other municipalities.

The funds must be genuinely available for living costs. Savings, startup-company income, startup funding or other regular continuing income can contribute under Migri's rules.

You need enough resources for at least one year. A first permit can be granted for up to two years if you can demonstrate resources for that period.

Main activity and other work

Your main activity must remain startup entrepreneurship. The permit nevertheless allows other work in addition to operating the startup.

Fast track and D visa

Eligible first-time startup applicants can use Migri's fast-track process. A D visa may be requested in qualifying cases to facilitate entry after the residence permit is granted. Fast track or a D visa does not eliminate the substantive residence-permit requirements.

Startup permit versus ordinary entrepreneur permit

The ordinary entrepreneur permit uses a different assessment: the business normally has a Business ID and an Economic Development Centre assesses profitability and the entrepreneur's livelihood. Do not treat ordinary company incorporation as a substitute for the Business Finland startup process.

Related: entrepreneur permit, family ties, permanent residence, Finland hub, and legal disclaimer.

Official and supporting sources

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