Finnish personal identity code for new international degree and exchange students
All new international degree and exchange students will need a Finnish personal identity code. Students coming from outside the EU/EEA/EFTA might get the code along with their residence permit, but not always. EU and EEA nationals and non-EU nationals with a comparable status (EFTA countries) or students who have not received the code with the residence permit, will have to apply for the identity code after they arrive in Finland.
Please note that it can take up to 4 - 5 weeks to get the code in Tampere. All international exchange and degree students will have to apply for the identity code or complete the registration latest when they arrive in Tampere, the registration is known as DVV registration. After you receive the code, please contact palvelupiste.tamk [at] tuni.fi (TAMK Service Point) to add the code to your study registry! If you have the code already on your plastic residence permit card, you can submit a photo of your card instead of the DVV’s document.
You will need a Finnish personal identity code to prove your identity, for example when opening a bank account or visiting clinics and hospitals (including Tullinkulma Student Health Care Centre).
The code was formerly known as a social security number. Nowadays it has nothing to do with Finnish social security and is only used for identification purposes
I still do not have a Finnish personal identity code. What should I do?
Please visit the the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) to get your Finnish personal identity code as soon as possible. You should book an appointment. Please note that it can take up to 4 - 5 weeks to get the code. You can authorise the Digital and Population Data Services Agency to send your Finnish personal identity code directly to the palvelupiste.tamk [at] tuni.fi (TAMK Service Point).
- Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV)
- Visiting address: Hatanpään valtatie 36
- Open: Mon–Fri 9:00 - 15:00
Please remember to bring the following documents with you to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency:
- a filled-in form for exchange students, please do not sign the form:
- a valid passport or an official identification card with a photo (EU/EEA citizens)
- a photocopy of your passport’s ID page or a photocopy of your ID card (front and back of your card)
- a Finnish residence permit card (if applicable)
- a photocopy of your Finnish residence permit card (front and back of your card)
- TAMK Student Certificate (download from Pakki, section 'Orders')
The DVV sends the code as an encrypted email and might have a limited access. If you are not able to read the encrypted email and download a PDF file with your personal identity code, please be in touch with the DVV directly at international [at] dvv.fi and request a new email with your code