Setting up a company in Finland, buying an existing business or holding shares in a company does not by itself provide an entrepreneur residence permit. The application assesses whether the person actually works in the business, meets the relevant conditions of entrepreneur status, and whether the business carries out genuine, sustainable activity that can support their livelihood.
What does the entrepreneur residence permit assess?
The entrepreneur residence permit is one of the residence routes for people from outside the EU/EEA who work actively in Finland through their own business. The business model, its financing, its income and expenditure structure, the applicant's genuine role in the company and the sustainability of the business are assessed together.
The assessment may consist of a partial decision stage on the economic conditions of the business and a stage in which Migri assesses the general conditions for a residence permit. The current name of the authority, the division of tasks and the list of documents must be checked from an official source on the application date.
Is setting up or buying a company enough?
No. Company formation, obtaining a Business ID or buying company shares and the residence permit are separate processes. Passive investment or merely contributing capital does not automatically create an entitlement to an entrepreneur permit.
Key matters that are examined
- A genuine and workable business model
- The applicant working actively in the business and meeting the applicable entrepreneur status
- Financing and liquidity sufficient for the activity
- Realistic income and expenditure estimates
- Customers, contracts, sales or other commercial evidence supporting the business model
- The permits, licences, premises or professional conditions required in the sector
- An economic basis that can support the applicant's livelihood
- Tax and other company obligations handled properly
Is there a fixed income threshold?
This page does not use a fixed annual net income figure whose source is not verified as current. Livelihood and business profitability must be assessed according to the type of application, the expenses of the business and the authority's current criteria on the date of application. Current numerical thresholds should only be used after the relevant official source has been verified.
Commercial review when buying a company
Buying an operating company can sometimes offer a stronger commercial basis through its existing customers, turnover, contracts and trading history; however, the risks of losses, debts, taxes, contracts, employees, leases, licences and litigation must be examined separately. A share purchase and an asset or business purchase can have different legal and tax consequences.
ENB Consulting does not advise on investment returns or financial products. Commercial review is aimed at assessing company records, documents, obligations and the transaction structure case by case. The final residence permit decision is made by the competent authority, and no outcome is guaranteed.