Registration of the right of residence for exchange students

Coming to Finland as an exchange student requires completing certain official registrations related to your right of residence. These requirements are set by Finnish authorities and are based mainly on your citizenship and, in some cases, on whether you already hold a valid study‑based right of residence from another EU country.

This page explains what exchange students must do, when to do it, and where. It focuses on the practical steps you need to take after arrival in Finland and helps you identify which authority is responsible in your situation. While the procedures may seem complex at first, most exchange students complete them without difficulty after arrival, often with support provided by the university during Welcome Week.