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Essential Information for Your Studies and Life in Finland

We regularly update this guide, so please check here first if you have any questions. 

24.2.2026 Updated section: Online studies in March and April

4.2.2026 Two new sections have been added regarding daycare and school enrollment for accompanying children.

  • Information for daycare or school registration
  • Information about school, transportation, after-school activities

Welcome to Finland and Savonlinna!

Find general information about moving to Finland, studies, housing, education, health, family, leisure, etc., at the website: https://infofinland.fi/

Finland in short:

  • “Land of a thousand lakes”: there are around 188,000 lakes. Finland is one of the countries with the cleanest water in the world. It is safe to swim in the lakes almost everywhere, except in the warmest months if the blue-green algae start spreading. Tap water is also clean and drinkable.
  • Around 75% of Finland is covered by forests. Finns have a deep connection with nature and show great respect for it. Nature is always close by – even in larger cities – and everyone has the right to enjoy free and easy access to it. When spending time in nature, remember to keep noise levels low and leave the area exactly as you found it. Take all your trash with you or dispose it in the nearest bin.
  • Finland is a country based on honesty, equality, and respect of human rights. All people have the same rights in Finland regardless of age, sex, economic situation, or health. You are expected to be honest and respect the rules.
  • Finns enjoy a peaceful and calm lifestyle. They can seem very quiet and introverted, but when you manage to break the ice with them, they are usually very relaxed, honest, direct, and polite people. Being punctual is always expected! Finnish people are also huge coffee lovers, making Finland one of the countries with the highest coffee consumption in the world.
  • Sauna is a big part of Finnish culture. There are over 3 million saunas in the country – more than cars! 10 sauna tips for beginners, https://www.visitfinland.com/en/articles/10-sauna-tips-for-beginners/
  • Learning the Finnish language is essential if you want to live in the country for a long time. Knowing Finnish language and culture is a huge pro in job market. However, almost everyone understands and speaks English in Finland, even if they might be shy to use the language.
  • For several years in a row, Finland has been ranked as the happiest country in the world, thanks to its values, such as safety, equality, social support, and low corruption. But at a price! Finland is also one of the most expensive countries to live in Europe.

Please be prepared to pay for your living costs and tuition fees from your savings – do not expect to get a part-time job easily during the first years living in Finland as a student!

  • The emergency number in Finland is 112. Call this number if you find yourself in an emergency and you need help from police or firefighters, or if you need to call an ambulance.

(Updated 10.12.2025)

In this section, you will familiarize yourself with the preparations you will need to make before entering Finland.

Before coming to Finland, you will need to make sure to:

  • participate in the online orientation.
  • save the orientation materials in a safe space for future consultations.
  • have all the required documents to enter the country.
  • have bought your flight ticket.
  • have booked accommodation.
  • have familiarized yourself with the trip to Savonlinna and the public transportation needed to reach your accommodation.
  • have packed all the documents used to apply for the degree program.
  • have packed your luggage according to the climate.
  • have read and started all the necessary procedures described on the section If you come to Finland with your children

(Updated 10.12.2025)

Already prior your arrival to Savonlinna you can use, for example, different language-learning apps and online materials to learn Finnish. Below you can find some examples.

Online courses

Introductory Finnish, Aalto University’s online course, free of charge, no Finnish ID needed

Suomee! | Extreme Finnish (free of charge online course focusing on spoken Finnish, no Finnish ID needed)

Beginners´ Finnish 1 (nonstop start), 2 ECTS cr – Xamk (free of charge online course, Finnish ID needed)

Beginners´ Finnish 2 (nonstop start), 3 ECTS cr – Xamk (free of charge online course, Finnish ID needed)

Websites

Yle Oppiminen (lots of materials for learning Finnish)

Suomi Taskussa (videos for Finnish learning)

Learn Finnish | Kielibuusti (lots of information, tips, and materials about possibilities to learn Finnish online)

Apps

Duolingo

Learning Finnish in Savonlinna

  • Savonlinnan kansanopisto Please contact Savonlinnan kansanopisto (kira.boesen@sko.fi) directly as soon as possible if you are interested in the courses
  • Linnalan opisto (website only in Finnish)- Linnalan Setlementti ry – Setlementti | Opisto
  • Savonlinna aikuislukio (website only in Finnish): Savonlinnan aikuislukio » Suomi toisena kielenä (onedu.fi)

Note: Some of the courses are organized in person daytime, which is not convenient as they might overlap with your classes at Samiedu. Participation in the classes at Samiedu should be your priority. Please check this carefully when choosing a language course. However, if you have moved to Finland with your spouse, these courses are a great chance for them to learn the Finnish language. The vocational qualification will also include some Finnish language studies, but your own activity to study more than is mandatory will be the key to learn Finnish!

 Basic Finnish

English Finnish
Hello Moi
Goodbye/See you Näkemiin
Bye Moi moi
Sorry/Excuse me Anteeksi
Yes Kyllä
No Ei
Thank you Kiitos
You´re welcome Ole hyvä
How are you? Mitä kuuluu?
I´m fine (thank you) Minulle kuuluu hyvää
Welcome Tervetuloa
Exit Ulos
I don’t understand En ymmärrä
I don’t speak Finnish En puhu suomea
Do you speak English? Puhutko englantia?
I´m going to Savonlinna Minä menen Savonlinnaan
Where is the train station? Missä rautatieasema on?
Train Juna
Bus Bussi
Ticket Lippu
I am a student Minä olen opiskelija

Please remember to pack the following items in your luggage:

  • All required documents to enter the country (passport, residence permit, etc.).
  • All the documents used to apply to the vocational qualification.
  • Private health insurance and/or travelling insurance
  • Vaccination certificates.
  • PC with charger for your studies (studying in Samiedu requires the use of a computer).
  • Plug adapter for type F or C sockets (if needed).
  • A smartphone with a list of emergency contacts saved on it.
  • Basic medicines.
  • Some cash and your debit/credit card (payments in Finland are done mostly cashless). Visa and Mastercard are the most accepted. Make sure not to have any block preventing you from using your card abroad.
  • Proper clothes, shoes, and accessories.
  • Basic hygiene products and other personal belongings.

Note! Remember to make sure you and your family that moves to Finland with you have the required vaccinations up-to-date and that you have all the vaccination certificates with you for the whole family that moves with you!

Accommodation arrangements are the student’s responsibility. Authorized partners will support you throughout the process. However, students can freely choose what kind of accommodation suits their needs best.

Because securing suitable accommodation may take some time, we recommend starting your search immediately after your residence permit has been approved.

It is important to find accommodation and have it confirmed before arriving in Finland. Please note that housing companies have limited availability and existing waiting lists. Therefore, it’s not possible to walk into the housing companies upon arrival, ask for accommodation, and expect to get one on the same day.

Local housing company (Savonlinnan Vuokratalot)

You may rent an apartment from a private landlord or contact the local housing company (Savonlinnan Vuokratalot) for assistance. More information: Savonlinnan Vuokratalot, www.savut.fi/en. The company offers different types of accommodation in various parts of the city, at affordable prices. If you wish to apply for a Savonlinnan Vuokratalot apartment, we recommend doing that as soon as possible due to the limited number of apartments. Contact the company as soon as possible for further assistance.

Savonlinnan Vuokratalot won’t give up keys without the residence permit document. You must have the document with you when picking up keys. Your passport and other official documents will also be checked.

Private market

You can also choose to rent from private markets.

Please read the apartment description and rental terms carefully before signing the contract, as they vary depending on the apartment and the landlord.

It is very common that the private rental agreements are locked for 1 year. It is not possible to suspend the contract during the agreement time written in the contract.

Options where to find an apartment from a private lessor:

Usually, you are responsible for having your own electricity and internet contracts.

Check the expences carefully

Water charges are usually included in the rent rather than billed separately. Depending on the rental agreement, the cost may be a fixed monthly fee or calculated based on your actual water consumption. Remember to ask the landlord about these extra costs while choosing your new accommodation.

In addition, landlords require home insurance from you, ask for a deposit payment, and might want to do a credit check as well.

In case you need assistance with your accommodation, our authorized partner will also help you with the process.

Finland is an expensive country to live in

Accommodation is one of the biggest expenses you will face every month. Living in Savonlinna is more affordable than in bigger cities such as Helsinki. Find more info about the topic in the section “Budgeting for your stay – Example living costs in Savonlinna”.

Short term accommodation

If necessary, Airbnb and Booking.com can also be considered for short-term accommodation – i.e. temporary accommodation in the beginning of the studies, while looking for a long-term accommodation:

Examples of main providers of electricity and Internet

Electricity

Internet

To create a contract with any of the service providers you will need to call their customer service or use chat in their website.

(Updated 10.12.2025)

Here you will find instructions to help you start your online studies smoothly and ensure everything proceeds well. The studies will begin via Teams on 2 March 2026 at 8:30. The online studies will last approximately 4 hours per day. Your teachers will send you a separate Teams invitation for this. 

We highly recommend that you use laptop / computer on your online studies.

You will have online studies five days a week, from Monday to Friday. These will include orientation to your studies, vocational studies, and Finnish language studies. Teachers will send you Teams link for these online studies. 

We expect all students to participate in the online study days, as they support the studies that will continue in Savonlinna starting on 4th May 2026. 

(Updated 24.2.2026)

Before moving to Finland, you need to make sure to have all the required documents to enter the country.

Students coming from outside the EU and EEA countries are required to obtain a residence permit. Each student is responsible for determining which documents are needed for moving to Finland and for completing all the necessary steps in the residence permit application process. Authorized partners will help you with the process.

The residence permit process might require several months, and you will need to obtain the permit before flying to Finland and starting your studies. Therefore, submit your residence permit application as soon as possible after receiving the acceptance letter to the studies and the confirmation of payment of the tuition fee.

Make sure to meet all the requirements for your residence permit, such as valid passport, proof of finances, private health insurance, etc.

As part of the process, you may be required to visit a Finnish embassy or consulate in person for identification. Many services in Finland are handled digitally through online forms, phone calls, and email, and face-to-face customer service is therefore less common.

When making an appointment in a public office, you will be offered the first available time in the calendar. If the time offered doesn’t fit your schedule, you can just say it, and you will be offered a new time for your appointment.

Take care of your traveling and health insurance before moving to Finland.

If your family members are coming to Finland, please make sure to arrange the necessary documentation for them as well. Notice that a family member of a student will be granted a residence permit on a different basis than studies, which means requirements and rights might be different. Read the Finnish Immigration Services website carefully to find out the process to follow for your family member.

Find more information about entering the country on the Finnish Immigration Services website, www.migri.fi/en

(Updated 10.12.2025)

You can travel from Helsinki Airport to Savonlinna by train, bus, or plane. There are both train and bus terminals located in Helsinki airport so you can easily continue your journey from there. If your flight arrives in Helsinki during the evening time, we recommend spending the night in Helsinki and traveling to Savonlinna the next day.

The flight to Savonlinna takes about 55 minutes, and by train and bus, it takes 4-6 hours, depending on the route.

Train

Traveling from Helsinki Airport to Savonlinna by train takes approximately 4 hours. To make your travel smooth, we recommend downloading the VR app on your phone.

It is possible to travel without downloading the VR app on the phone, but if you do have it, you can check the track from where the train leaves, all the train stops during your journey, and live information about possible delays and cancellations.

Find the timetables and purchase your train ticket from this link: www.vr.fi/en or by using the VR app. Train tickets need to be purchased before getting on the train.

Vending machines are also available at the airport train station, where you can purchase your train ticket with a card payment.

Note:

On long-distance trains, passengers always travel on allocated seats.

After getting on the train, look for your seat number (you can find it on the train ticket) and always sit in the allocated seat.

We recommend buying the ticket as early as possible, as trains can get fully booked and the prices of train tickets increase the closer, they get to the train’s departure time.

Usually, long-distance train ticket prices are not fixed, the prices change depending on how early you buy it.

Bus

You can also use the bus to travel to Savonlinna. Please purchase the bus ticket from the webshop. Check the routes and prices and buy the tickets online: www.matkahuolto.fi/en

We recommend buying the ticket as early as possible, as buses can get fully booked.

Flights

There is a flight connection to Savonlinna that operates during weekdays (Mon-Fri). You can see the timetable and purchase your flight here: https://norppa.aero/index-en.

Please note that Savonlinna Airport is a very small airport located about 20 min from the city center. You need to take a taxi to reach the city center, as there is no public transportation from/to the airport.

If you arrive in Finland by yourself, your monthly expenses typically range from € 700 to € 1,000 covering housing and living costs. Average monthly expenses include rent, food, transport, and internet. Students are eligible for discounts on meals and travel.

Please note: when applying for a residence permit, you must have € 9 600 in your bank account. More information is available at: https://migri.fi/en/income-requirement-for-students.

If you plan to bring your family with you, you can find additional information at: Student’s family members | Maahanmuuttovirasto

Example living costs in Savonlinna

Below there are some examples of monthly expenses in Savonlinna. Please note that the expenses are just an estimate and have been calculated for one person living in a small apartment.

  • Rent: 350-600€
  • Bus card: 40€
  • Grocery: 200€
  • Phone internet connection: 20-30€
  • Home internet connection (if not included in the rent): 20-40€
  • Electricity (if not included in the rent, depends on usage): 30€
  • Water (if not included in the rent, depends on usage): 20-30€
  • Basic home insurance (if not included in the rent): ~20€
  • Extras (clothing, free time activities, traveling, etc.): 100-200€
  • (Unexpected expenses: 50€)

An average student in Savonlinna usually spends around ~1000 euros/month per student. In Helsinki or other bigger cities, the money you need/month is more. You should have enough money in your account to cover your living costs – do not assume that you can get a part-time job easily or fast in Finland.

(Updated 10.12.2025)

After you arrive in Savonlinna, there might be a few days between your arrival and the beginning of orientation. Use this time to get familiar with your new surroundings and explore the city. Many of these topics will be covered during the on-site orientation, but to support your settling-in process, we strongly recommend taking time to do them independently as well. During this time, you should:

  • visit the city.
  • get familiar with public transportation or buy a bike.
  • practice how to find the bus schedules.
  • get a Finnish sim card for your mobile phone.
  • learn how to get to Paviljonki Campus.
  • participate in the on-site orientation.
  • save the orientation materials and contact details for future use.

Find the information related to buses and Savonlinna in the section “Living in Savonlinna” at the end of this guidebook.

Coming to Samiedu Paviljonki Campus

Samiedu Paviljonki campus is located 2 kilometers from the Savonlinna marketplace.

Paviljonki campus address is Rajalahdenkatu 4, 57200 Savonlinna.

On-site Orientation in Paviljonki Campus

The orientation studies will begin on 12th February 2026 at 9.00 a.m at our Paviljonki Campus. Please note that the orientation will be delivered in person on campus and attendance is highly recommended.

The orientation introduces you to our campus services, studying environments, and living in Savonlinna. The exact timetable of the on-site orientation will be announced by email later.

Take your Passport with you on the first day of your studies as the ID check is the first thing you’re facing at the campus! You cannot access the digital environment that’s being used during your studies without the ID check.

Note: Punctuality is always expected in Finland. If you are requested to be in a place at an exact time, you must be punctual, or you might miss your appointment.

This also applies to orientation, classes, or in-office appointments. If you are late, you will miss the info at the beginning of the session, and it will not be repeated.

When feeling ill, do not come to campus. If you have a class or an office appointment you need to participate in person, please contact the teacher/staff member immediately to inform them about the situation.

During orientation weeks, a mandatory check of original documents is held on campus to verify the documents used in your application. Bring a valid Passport, residence permit, and originals of your certificates for this document check.

With your participation in the on-site orientation, you should now know everything needed for a comfortable beginning to your studies in Savonlinna!

School Practices

The duration of the study program is 24 months. The language of instruction is English. Independent learning and critical thinking are encouraged. Teachers are approachable, and classes often include group work.

Digital Tools

Most schools use online platforms for courses and communication.

(Updated 10.12.2025)

Getting a Finnish SIM card for your phone

Because you will be staying in Finland for an extended period, it is advisable to get a Finnish phone number so that you can use mobile data and make calls easily. You can purchase a prepaid SIM card or choose a monthly subscription. Please note that for monthly contracts, you may be required to meet certain conditions and provide a reliable financial statement, valid ID, or other documents. Below is a list of mobile operators in Finland:

Opening a bank account

Opening a bank account in Finland might be trickier than in other countries. If you or a family member need to open a bank account in Finland, note that you will need to fulfill certain requirements and you will be asked for several documents including a residence permit and Finnish Social Security Number.

Examples of the most common banks that operate in Finland are Osuuspankki, Nordea, S-pankki, OmaSP and Danske Bank.

Driving in Finland

Bikes

People are moving around the city by bike throughout the whole year, winter included!

Winter cycling can be safe with the right arrangements, like wearing warm outdoor clothes, helmets, reflectors and using grippier tires on your bike to prevent sliding on the slippery ice.

Note: Wearing a helmet, having a functioning white/light yellow headlight and a red rear light, functioning breaks and bell, are required by law when biking.

Lights must be on in the dark.

To make you even more visible, it´s recommended to wear a safety reflective vest.

If you do not follow the regulations, you can get a ticket from the police.

If you wish to transport a child by bike, you must take extra precautions on top of the ones mentioned above. The bike must be fitted with two separate braking devices and the child must sit in a special child seat in the back of your bike or in a special trailer designed for bikes. The child must be under 135 cm and always use a seat belt.

Please find more info: https://www.liikenneturva.fi/en/  and https://www.liikenneturva.fi/en/road-safety/cycling/#2ce531c4.

Cars

Check from this link if you are allowed to drive in Finland with your current driving license: https://traficom.fi/en/transport/drivers-and-vehicles/driving-licenses

Note: Cars in Finland are very expensive. On top of the price of the vehicle and gasoline, you have other compulsory yearly costs, such as insurance, car inspection and taxes. Make sure to have all these extra costs paid! Driving without these is illegal and punishable.

Finland has right-hand traffic.

Traffic rules

Roads are usually wide and quite straight in Finland, which can make driving comfortable but also “boring” in longer travels. If you are driving a long distance, always remember to take breaks at times. Also, always remember to use seatbelts, drive under the speed limit, and keep a safe distance from other cars. The use of headlights at all times of the day is compulsory in Finland. It´s illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and you can be subject to arrest if you do so.

Everyone inside a car must fasten their seatbelts for the whole driving time.

When driving in the winter conditions you must be extra careful, as it can be very dangerous when the roads are icy and slippery. Notice that during the wintertime, it is mandatory to use winter tires.

Speed limits are different during the winter compared to summer.

When driving on ice or snow, it´s necessary to start using the brakes early enough: as the roads are slippery, the car slides on the ice when hitting the brakes. Do not make fast last-minute stops with the car!

Always keep a good distance with the car in the front.

Note: It is mandatory to use winter tyres from 1.11.-31.3. or if the driving conditions are wintry. You must own two sets of tyres: summer and winter tyres.

Use an engine block heater to warm up your car’s engine before starting it. This is crucial when temperatures drop below zero. Plug the heater into a power outlet for about 10 minutes at 0°C, and about 2 hours at -20°C

If you are driving with a child, the child must stay in a proper child seat. There are different types of child seats according to the age and height of the child. Not following this rule is punishable.

When you drive in the night or dark, incidents of moose or reindeer crossing the road and being struck by vehicles can happen.

These accidents cause big damage to the vehicle and injuries to the people inside the car. Accidents can even be fatal!

If you end up in a car crash or see someone else in this situation, please always stop to help and call emergency number 112. Authorities will not only provide help to the people involved in the accident but also take care of the injured animals.

This applies to any other type of car accident: if you see someone alone in difficulty, stop to give assistance and call 112.

Official traffic regulations

https://www.liikenneturva.fi/en/campaigns/do-you-know-the-traffic-rules/#2ce531c4

Useful links

Important addresses in Savonlinna

  • The general emergency number in Finland is 112
  • Savonlinna Central Hospital (emergency): Keskussairaalantie 6, 57120 Savonlinna
  • Private Health Centers:
  • Terveystalo – Kirkkokatu 7 B, 3rd floor, 57100 Savonlinna: Terveystalo | Terveystalo
  • Pihlajalinna – Kauppatori 6, 2nd floor, 57130 Savonlinna: Pihlajalinna Savonlinna | Locations | Pihlajalinna
  • Police Station: Tottinkatu 9, 57130 Savonlinna
  • Immigrant guidance and counseling Navigaattori: Olavinkatu 40 A, 2nd floor, 57130 Savonlinna
  • Savonlinna City Hall: Olavinkatu 27, 57130 Savonlinna (B-door is the main entrance)
  • Savonlinnan Vuokratalot: Puistokatu 13, 57100 Savonlinna

Free time activities in Savonlinna

Things to do in Savonlinna:

  • Indoor sports (gyms, yoga, swimming halls, ice skating, ice hockey, bowling, badminton, etc.)
  • Restaurants, bars, cafeterias
  • Museums, theater, movie theater, library
  • Public parks and beaches
  • Public playgrounds for kids
  • Outdoor sports (i.e. frisbee golf, football, athletics, skiing, etc.)

More info at:

Shopping in Savonlinna

Below, you will find a list of options grouped by category. If you open the links, you can start familiarizing yourself with the online shops of the different brands, please check the different availabilities and prices of the products in Finland.

We recommend you to use Google Maps to look for different types of shops and locations.

Grocery shopping:

  • K-Citymarket, K-Supermarket, K-Market
  • Prisma, S-market, Sale
  • Lidl (discount retailer, near Paviljonki Campus)

Note: In bigger-sized hypermarkets (Citymarket, Prisma) you’ll find, not only food but also clothes, electronics, household items, sports equipment, and much more.

Secondhand shops “kirpputori or kirppis” in Finnish (some examples near the city center)

  • Olivia
  • Pelastakaa Lapset
  • Kierrätysmyymälä Savonlinnan Toimintakeskus (two locations, one at the bus station and another a couple of kilometers away from the city center)
  • Via Dia kirppis
  • A-kirppis

Note: Secondhand shopping culture is very popular in Finland as well as on Europe. You can buy from both physical flea markets (kirpputori) or online markets like “Tori” (Tori.fi)or “Facebook market”.

Winter gear/outdoor clothes

  • Second-hand shops
  • Intersport Savonlinna
  • Sport Gear Service
  • Carlson

Furniture, small house supplies, and house decorations

  • Second-hand shops
  • Jysk
  • Rusta
  • Puuilo
  • Motonet

Electronics

  • Citymarket
  • Prisma
  • Veikon Kone
  • Carlson

Pharmacies (near the city center)

  • Yliopiston apteekki
  • Savonlinnan Uusi Apteekki

Note: in Finland, you can buy basic medicines like vitamins, painkillers, and flu treatments from the pharmacy without a prescription.

For other types of stronger medicines, you will need to visit a doctor and get a prescription.

The pharmacist will need to check your prescription to give you the right medicine.

Other

  • Tokmanni: variety discount retailer (food, clothes, hobbies, small furniture, hygiene products, etc.)
  • R-kioski: convenience store for smaller purchases (take away coffee, snacks, cigarettes, etc.)

Language

Finnish and Swedish are official languages in Finland, but English is widely spoken.

Culture

Finns value punctuality, honesty, and personal space. Nature and outdoor activities are an important part of life.

Transportation

VR Group (Finnish Train Company, link: https://www.vr.fi/en) and Matkahuolto (link: https://www.matkahuolto.fi/en) offer extensive connections. Public transport is reliable. Apps and travel cards make commuting easy.

Cycling is popular and Finland is safe for cycling. Remember to use a helmet and lights.

Everyman’s Right

You can freely roam forests and lakes, pick berries and mushrooms, and enjoy outdoor activities responsibly.

(Updated 11.12.2025)

Link to the services: https://www.savonlinna.fi/en/services/integration-services/

The Immigrant Guidance and Service Point Navigaattori

Navigaattori offers guidance and counselling for Immigrants for everyday problems and directs to the right authority if more in-depth counseling is needed. The services are free of charge.

At Navigaattori, you can receive guidance on, for example, residence permits, citizenship, social and health care, municipal services, education, working life, housing, leisure time, guidance on filling in forms, guidance on digitization.

Opening hours: Mon – Fri, only with appointment

Visiting address:
Olavinkatu 40 A, 2nd floor
57130 Savonlinna

If you live near the center, it is possible to walk around the city. All the important places are reachable within walking distance.

During the wintertime and in the dark, make yourself visible by wearing reflectors. Wear anti-slip accessories when the roads are icy. Always walk in the pedestrians’ designated paths and cross the road on the zebras. More tips here: Pedestrians in traffic – Liikenneturva

You can easily move around the city by using local buses. You can buy a ticket directly on the bus or with a digital payment on the Matkahuolto Liput ja Reitit app. We recommend downloading the Matkahuolto Liput ja Reitit app to your phone and buying your bus tickets there to have the most convenient access to the local buses.

Note: When waiting for the bus at the bus stop, wave at the bus when you see it coming, to indicate to the bus driver to stop and pick you up. Waving is enough to sign the bus driver to stop.

When you have arrived near your destination, ring the stop bell next to your seat to indicate to the bus driver to stop at the next bus stop. Very often, buses don´t stop at every single bus stop if not necessary or requested.

Bikes are a very common mode of transportation in Finland. People in Finland love to use bikes to move around the city because it´s easy, fast, and environmentally friendly. You can buy a new bike from shops or you can get a cheaper one from physical or online secondhand shops. More info about the topic is on the next pages, in the section: “Driving in Finland”.

If you would like to use a taxi, call the number 0200 01510 (the service charges a small fee) or use the app “Book a Taxi” free of charge.

Daycare, early childhood education and Finnish education system

All children living in Finland and aged 6–18 years old must go to school. In Finland, compulsory education is between the ages of 6 to 18 years old.

The Finnish education system consists of:

  1. Early childhood education and care (daycare/kindergarten) provided for children before compulsory education begins (age: 9 months – 5 years old).
  2. Pre-primary education which is provided for children in the year preceding the beginning of basic compulsory education (age: 6 years old).
  3. Nine years of primary and lower secondary education – basic compulsory education/comprehensive school, (age: from 7 years old).
  4. Upper secondary education, which is either general upper secondary education or vocational education and training. Compulsory education ends when the student turns 18 years old or completes upper secondary education.
  5. Higher education is provided by universities and universities of applied sciences.

You need to fill out an application for all types of schools/daycares to receive a study place for your kid. Usually, you will be allocated to the nearest school depending on your home address and availability. Handling the application might take some time, so it´s important to start the application process immediately.

Note! Remember to update your children’s vaccinations. Take all the vaccination certificates with you as the healthcare authorities will check the vaccination coverage for all the children entering schools or early childhood education.

Schools and early childhood education in Savonlinna

General information about daycare and schools in Savonlinna: Childcare and early learning – Savonlinna

  • Early childhood education: A child has the right to early childhood education from the age of 9 months until the start of school. A place in early childhood education must be applied for four months before the need for the service begins or at the earliest possible stage. Early childhood education is organized in Savonlinna in the city’s kindergartens and family daycare, as well as in private kindergartens. Learn more about childcare and early learning in here: Childcare and early learning – Savonlinna
  • Basic compulsory education (7-17 years old children), please find out more here: Education – Savonlinna

Compulsory education in Finland is free of charge.

Please notify the daycare center or school if you move out of Savonlinna.

Note: If you have any doubts about your children’s education in Savonlinna, you can find the right contact person by opening the links shared above.

When your child goes to school, you might be required to show proof of vaccinations. Bring all the necessary documents with you when moving to Finland.

Please, apply and wait for a decision of a school or kindergarten placing before dropping your children to school or kindergarten.

Children health services – visit Neuvola with your child

If you move to Finland with your child/children under the age of 7, it is strongly recommended to be in contact with the local Neuvola for guidance on children healthcare.

Neuvola is a Child Health Center for maternity, family, and children health services, where you can receive advice about children’s healthcare in Finland. The nurses in neuvola are monitoring and promoting the physical, mental, and social condition of children under school age, giving vaccinations, and supporting parents in providing secure, child-focused rearing, care and in attending to relationships.

Neuvola promotes healthy growing environments for children and healthy family lifestyles. If special support is needed, the family will be referred to a specialist. All services provided are free of charge.

Find more information about Neuvola at this link: Maternity and child health clinics – Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (stm.fi)

To find your local Neuvola call the Lasten ja Nuorten Palveluluukku: +358 15 744 7744 (Mon-Fri from 8am to 3 pm) or join the free chat here: Eloisa – Wellbeing services county of South Savo (etelasavonha.fi) -> chat and digital services -> chat with us.

Contact persons in Savonlinna educational services:

Basic education registrations (elementary school, koulu): Merja Leppänen merja.leppanen@savonlinna.fi, Tel. 044 417 4201

Early childhood education ECEC (daycare and pre-primary school, päiväkoti and esikoulu): Mervi Hiltunen mervi.hiltunen@savonlinna.fi, Tel. 050 470 6055

The online forms for enrolment and applying are recommended:

Primary school: Savonlinnan kaupunki – Huoltajan ilmoitus kouluun tulevasta oppilaasta (epalvelu.fi)

Daycare: Desktop (savonlinna.fi) (Finnish personal ID numbers (henkilötunnus) are required, Adjust English settings)

If you are unable to use online forms (only in Finnish), you can use the linked PDF forms (in English)  and send it to corresponding person.

You may want to use a secure e-mail:

With a secure e-mail, you can securely send confidential information or an attachment containing confidential information to the city’s organization.

Sending a secure email to Savonlinna City offices:

  1. Go to web page https://securemail.savonlinna.fi/
  2. Enter your e-mail address in the field that appears and press “Jatka” = ”Continue”.
  3. On the screen that appears, you should select “Rekisteröidy” = ”Register”. After this, you will receive a link in your email. By clicking on the link, you get to the user interface to send a secure e-mail.
  4. In the form that appears, enter the recipient’s e-mail address, the title and the content text of the e-mail itself. You can add an attachment “Valitse tiedostot” and press the add button “Lisää” below the content text.
  5. When the necessary information is on the email submission form, press “Lähetä” = ”Send”.

The town of Savonlinna has preparatory classes for children whose native language is not Finnish. These classes are in Mertala school, Simasalonkatu 2, 57200 Savonlinna. The preparatory class usually lasts about a year and the teaching concentrates on learning the basics of Finnish language and familiarizing the children to Finnish school system and school subjects. During the studies they are gradually integrated into normal classes and at the end of the preparatory year they will be placed in a normal class into the school nearest to home. (School district admission areas). Their Finnish as a second language student status will remain as long as needed, which means that they are entitled to extra support in studying in a Finnish school environment.

The town organizes transportation only to the nearest school which is appointed to students according to their address. Transportation is organized by the criteria decided by the school board. Transportation is provided for those children whose journey to their primary school is more than 5 km. Parents can always apply for a place in a secondary school somewhere else in town, but in that case, they must pay for the transportation themselves.

The school needs copies of report cards and certificates from the children’s previous school. Also, the school needs to know if there is anything specific to take into consideration e.g. special diet, allergies or learning problems.

As part of the educational system the schools offer support classes and support by school youth workers and school social workers as well as school psychologists.

Each school in Savonlinna has its own extra-curricular activities. Part of this are school clubs which are free of charge. The number of clubs varies in different schools.

It is also possible to enroll the child to an after-school program. This is organized by different agents. Places are available for a fee and by restricted availability. An application is required.

Summer – Kesä (June to August)

The weather is warm (average 20°C), days and nights are bright. The summer solstice (Midsummer) signs the brightest day of the year.

After that, daylight starts getting a little shorter every day again.

Sleeping during the summer can be challenging as it’s light during most of the nighttime. Finnish people use blinders or black curtains in their bedrooms, to help making the room darker during the night.

Finnish people usually use their work holidays during the summertime, generally from Midsummer until end of July.

Students have quite a long summer break from school too!

Celebrations: Midsummer – Juhannus, date varies.

Autumn – Syksy (September to November)

It gets a bit darker day by day, and the weather is often windy and rainy.

The leaves on the trees turn yellow, orange, and red, creating the typical beautiful and colorful landscapes of ruska.

The autumn in Finland can be very cold as well. The end of October – November might require you to already use your winter jacket. Watch out for the first ice of the season (roads can be slippery) and always wear reflectors in the dark!

Celebrations: All Saints’ Day – Pyhäinpäivä, date varies.

Winter – Talvi (December to February)

Winters in Finland are cold and dark. The Northern Lights can be seen mainly in Lapland, but occasionally also in southern Finland.

In the winter, temperatures are often below 0°C, as low as -30°C. The sun rises late in the mornings and goes down very early. On a typical winter day, you will leave your house to go to school in the dark, see the sun coming up from the window, and come back home from your school day again in the dark. Darkness can also affect mental health for some people, so keep your self active; start new hobbies, spend time with your friends, participate in events, explore new places, meet new people, and try out winter sports. Winter in Finland can be harsh, but it’s possible to live your normal life during these months too.

The first winter in Finland can be shocking for foreigners, but you will get used to the weather with time.

Celebrations: Independence Day – Itsenäisyyspäivä, 6.12., Christmas – Joulu 24.12., New Year´s Eve – Uudenvuodenaatto, 31.12., Epiphany – Loppiainen, date varies.

Spring – Kevät (March to May)

The weather is still fresh, and days are getting a bit brighter every day. The days are getting slowly warmer, and the ice starts melting.

Watch out for thin ice! The lake ice conditions change quickly with temperature. Walking on frozen lakes can be dangerous if the ice is too thin, because it may crack and you could fall into the freezing water.

Around March-April time, the snow starts melting, nature starts becoming greener and flowers start blossoming.

Celebrations: Easter – Pääsiäinen, the date varies, May Day (1st of May) – Vappu, 1.5.

(Updated 10.12.2025)

Summer

In the summer, temperatures stay around 20°C and the warmest month is usually July.

When the sun shines it can get very warm in Finland too!

You can finally wear summer dresses, T-shirts, and shorts, but always remember to have a light sweater or light jacket for the evenings or rainy days.

Spring

The spring starts in rather winterish conditions and as the sun shines more and more, the temperatures increase little by little.

At the end of spring, it´s time to put your winter jacket back in the closet and say goodbye until the end of autumn.

From March to April, the streets are usually covered in wet melting snow or water. A good pair of waterproof shoes are essential when walking outdoors.

Note: Temperatures in the nighttime can still go below zero and will freeze the snow that melted during the day. This becomes very slippery to walk on, be careful!

Winter

When coming to Finland for the first time, many people might have never experienced snow and cold temperatures.

For this reason, they might not be aware of how to dress properly for the cold winters in this country.

When dressing up in the winter, there are two main rules: wear warm clothes and dress in layers to protect yourself from the cold.

On the coldest days, it´s important to wear all the layers:

  • Layer 1: Base layer of long/thermal underwear for upper and lower body, socks.
  • Layer 2: Wool sweaters or fleece hoodies, pants, wool socks.
  • Layer 3: Warm waterproof winter jacket, outdoor waterproof pants, warm gloves, warm beanie, warm waterproof shoes, and reflector.

Watch these two videos to learn more:

How to dress for winter and Yle Oulu | Facebook.

The amount of clothes also depends on how long you will need to be outdoors and how active you will be. When temperatures are close to 0°C, it´s usually ok to skip “Layer 1” (see above) if your body feels comfortable.

Note: Walking on fresh snow is very safe but be careful when walking on the ice as it can be very slippery! You can buy ice grippers to attach under your shoes during these days. Always remember to remove the ice grippers when entering indoors! As they are designed for outdoor use, they ruin indoor floors.

Autumn

Autumn can be a very muddy and wet season. It´s good to wear rubber boots and a raincoat during these months. As temperatures start going down again, it´s time to bring the sweaters out of the closet, especially for the mornings and evenings.

The weather can change very quickly in Finland, and on some days, you will be able to experience all four seasons on the same day!

It´s important for you and all your family members in Finland (including the little ones!) to always be prepared for the change of weather when spending time outdoors.

When kids are in school in Finland, they spend a lot of time outdoors during all 4 seasons. Find some tips for how to dress children in Finland here: How do you weather proof children in Finland?

Note: In Finland, like in many other Nordic countries, there is a saying: ”There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”.

In emergencies, call 112. Finland is very safe but take care in winter conditions.