Daily basis
Finnish bank account
To handle your finances, you need a bank account. It’s a good idea (or in some cases a must) to create a Finnish bank account. When opening a bank account, you need a passport, identity card for foreign citizens or some other official identity card. Some banks accept an alien’s passport granted by a Finnish authority, a refugee travel document or other proof of identity which can be accepted as travel document. In some cases, bank may ask to require other proof of identity if your document states that your identity could not be verified. A driving license is not a valid document to prove your identity.
According to law, when you open a bank account, the bank must ask you to clarify for what purpose you intend to use your bank account. The bank also has the right to check your credit history. The bank needs a following information from you:
- name
- personal identity code
- address in Finland or abroad
- if you pay taxes to a country other than Finland, your address in other country
- the same information on persons entitled to use the bank account
Public transport
In Finland, distances are long, but public transport works well, and the roads are in good condition. In Finland, you drive on the right. People with driving licenses issued abroad are usually allowed to drive in Finland, but in some situations such licenses must be exchanged for a Finnish driving license.
Public transport works well in Finland. You can travel almost anywhere in Finland by train or bus. You can also reach many cities by air. In addition, the largest cities and their neighboring areas usually have well organized local public transport. Busses are normally used for local transport. If you live in Helsinki metropolitan area you can find more information about busses and timetables from here: https://www.hsl.fi/en.
There are many bus companies in Finland. You can buy a ticket for a long-distance bus, or coach, on Matkahuolto website, Routes and Tickets app, Bus Tickets app, Matkahuolto offices or from the driver. Information on bus timetables can be found on the Matkahuolto website and at Matkahuolto offices.
Here is a link for Matkahuolto website: https://www.matkahuolto.fi/en.
You can also get more information about public transport from here: https://www.perille.fi/en.
The railway traffic in Finland is handled by VR. You can buy a ticket for a train on VR’s website, VR Matkalla app, a ticket vending machine or ticket point at a railway station, by phone at VR’s customer service or at R-kiosks. Information on train timetables is available on VR’s website and at railway stations. You can find more information about trains and timetables from here: https://www.vr.fi/en.
NOTE!
In Finland teams usually travel to away games with a bus. Finland is known of long distances and away game trips might take many hours. The bus trips often include team traditions like different kinds of games or other activities that take place during the ride. On the other hand, some players like to just sit and listen to music or read books. It might be weird but Finnish people tent to appreciate silence and own space.
Food
Finns eat common European food consisting mostly of meat, fish, potatoes, rice, or pasta. Vegetarian food has become increasingly popular too, especially in metropolitan area. It is common to eat two warm meals a day, lunch, and dinner. In Finland, adults, too, often drink milk. Healthiness of food is often stressed in Finland. Rye bread and different porridges, among other things, are an important part of the Finnish food culture. The food cultures of different Finnish regions vary from each other.
Food as well as eating out in restaurants is quite expensive in Finland. Therefore, most people, for convenience and economy, do their food shopping at one of the big supermarket chains. The major players are the Kesko Corporation and S-Group, with Lidl also competing in the market. In the food retailing sector, Kesko owns K-Citymarket, K-Supermarket, K-Market, and K-Extra. S-Group has Sale, Alepa, Prisma and S-Market. Lidl is Lidl!
If you have food allergies or special diets, it is likely you will find the needed items from any Finnish grocery store.
