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For many students, finding a summer job is an important source of income as well as an opportunity to increase their skills and sometimes travel to new places.  Besides checking with their school employment offices (usually only for enrolled students), friends, and acquaintances, students with office skills can often find temporary work. Finns take long summer holidays; four weeks or more; and Finnish companies often fill summer vacancies with students and up-and-coming young professionals. Applying for a summer job, which should be done as early as January or February, is a good way to get your foot in the door in Finland .

Useful Addresses

European Youth Portal for Working Holidays in Finland:
http://europa.eu/youth/working/working_holidays/

American-Scandinavian Foundation, Exchange Division, 58 Park Ave., New York, NY 10016:
212-879-9779 ext. 731; trainscan@amscan.org, www.amscan.org.
Places summer trainees in engineering, chemistry, computer science or business, mainly in Finland and Sweden . Also places American students and recent graduates over the age of 21 in schools and companies in Finland to teach English from Aug. /Sept. to May in return for a salary of $800-$1,000 a month.

Atlantis Youth Exchange, Rådhusgt 4, 0151 Oslo, Norway:
 011-47-22-47-71-70;   fax. 011-47-22-47-71-79; atlantis@atlantis.no, www.atlantis.no.
Arranges summer working guest positions on farms for 2-3 months. Also recruits au pairs for a minimum of 6 months

Camp America Finland:
Working with children, mainly outdoors, teaching them about sports, arts and life skills.
http://www.campamerica.co.uk/ [EN]

Finnish Youth Cooperation Allianssi:
Hotel work in Great Britain , camp counseling in USA or Russia , work experience in Brazil and lots of other choices are available for you if you are 18 or older! Allianssi's programs offer working holidays, long-term jobs and summer jobs.
http://www.nuorisovaihto.fi [FI]

Nordjobb:
Summer jobs for 18-26 year olds. Each Nordic country has its own page.
http://www.nordjobb.net [DA][FI][IS][NO][SV]

You will find information on voluntary jobs or internship abroad in our other articles on the left column of this page.

Student Employment - Work Contract and Permit

You should contact the local police department or the employment office to find out whether you need a work permit or not. As a general rule, you do not need a work permit if you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country, Switzerland or any of the Nordic countries (Sweden , Norway , Denmark , and Iceland ) or if you have a permanent residence permit.  Foreign students in Finland also get a work permit automatically as part of their residence permit which allows them to work up to twenty hours per week during terms and full time during holidays (December 15 – January 15 and May 1 – September 30).

Taxation

Before you start looking for work you should register at the local tax office where you receive a tax card. This tax card is then given to your employer.

Employment contract

The employee is entitled to a written employment contract which must be completed before employment begins.  The contract outlines the job description as well as the agreed upon salary and other benefits.  Generally the employment contract is made for an indefinite term. A contract can also be made for a fixed term but this requires a good reason.  An employer and employee may also agree on a trial period during which either party can cancel the contract without a period of notice. Agreeing on a trial period is very common and usually there is no specific reason for it.

Termination of employment

Except for trial periods, the employment agreement can be terminated only for a good and valid reason. The notice period varies from 2 weeks to 6 months and depends on how long your employment relationship has lasted. Make sure to receive a certificate of employment from your employer. This certificate should state your major tasks and responsibilities and the period of employment. You may also ask to receive an evaluation of your work.

Salaries

There is no universal statutory minimum wage in Finland . Instead, minimum wages and salaries are agreed upon in collective labor agreements.

Insurance

It is always recommended to obtain travel insurance. Moreover this is mandatory for work in "exotic" countries. A few options are listed below but you can find others easily on the Internet.

Useful addresses:

• ETI (European Travel Insurance): http://www.travel-insurance.com/
• Aetna Global Benefits: http://www.aetna.com/
• Cigna: http://www.cigna.com/
• Highway to Health: http://highwaytohealth.com/ 
• The International Student's Guide to Working in Finland:
  http://www.helsinki.fi/rekry/materiaalit/students_guide.pdf

Working holiday visa

Finland has working holiday agreements with Australia and New Zealand . Working Holiday Visas are valid for one year, and you must possess a valid passport to obtain one.

Eligibility requirements

• You must intend primarily to holiday in Finland
• Be aged between 18 and 30 years inclusive at the time of application
• No dependent children accompanying you
• No previous  working holiday permission
• You must have a return travel ticket or sufficient funds with which to purchase such a ticket
• You must possess reasonable funds for maintenance during your stay in Finland
• Have good health and a sound background

Working Holiday Visa Information:

• http://www.anyworkanywhere.com/visas_fi.html
• http://www.finland.org.au/public/
• TDS (for U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents and Canadians):
  http://www.traveldocs.com/

EURES - The European Job Mobility Portal
http://europa.eu.int/eures/ [English]

Discount Cards

A youth card or student card provides international recognition and is valuable for discounts.

• International Student Identity Card: for any full-time student over 12 years old.
• International Youth Travel Card: for young people aged 12 to 26 (student or nonstudent)
• International Student Exchange Card:  an international identity card for students of any age, young people aged 12 to 26 (student or nonstudent), and teachers or faculty members.

What the Cards offer

• Discounts on air, travel, bus and ferry, transport and accommodation (gap year backpacking).
• Reduced admission to museums, galleries and historic states.
• 24 hour emergency, legal and medical help line services.
• Basic sickness and accident travel insurance

Useful Addresses

• ISIC.com: (http://www.isiccard.com) for ISIC or IYTC cards.
• International Student Exchange: http://www.isecard.com/isecard/

You will find information on voluntary jobs or internship abroad in our other articles on the left column of this page.