The European Economic Area

If you have no permanent place of residence within the European Economic Area (EEA), you will in some cases need a permit from the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) to hold a managerial position or other position of responsibility in a company entered in the Finnish Trade Register.

Which countries belong to the EEA?

The EEA comprises the member states of the European Union (EU), Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The United Kingdom withdrew from the EU on 1 January 2021.
EU Member States
• Netherlands
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Spain
• Ireland
• Italy
• Austria
• Greece
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Portugal
• Poland
• France
• Romania
• Sweden
• Germany
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Finland
• Denmark
• Czech Republic
• Hungary
• Estonia

As regards other areas governed by EU Member States, each case must be studied individually.

How to apply for a permit for a person living outside the EEA

Read more about applying for a permit by type of business:
private traders
limited liability companies
general partnerships and limited partnerships
co-operativesOpen link in a new tab
branches

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