Why is Helsinki the best place for foreigners and investors?
What is a foreigner looking for in a city? If you are lucky enough to choose where you work and invest, what are the criteria for finding a good place? You could do a lot worse than start by looking at Helsinki, the capital of Finland the happiest country in the world for an amazing fifth year in a row.
In fact, when talking about Finland, the superlatives just roll. Helsinki is the second safest city in the world, has the highest trust rating, second freedom of the press and – wait for it – Finland has been described as the most beautiful city on earth. a peaceful and stable country, which surprisingly leads to its unshakable control as the number one best business environment in the world. Fast 4G is available across the country, and open data, public testbeds, research and best practices are deeply embedded. Companies like Wolt and Supercell have shown what Helsinki’s highly educated tech workforce is capable of – but there’s a lot of room for growth, and they want you to be a part of it.
The Finns made planning principles a national strategy already in the 19th century. This doesn’t just mean you can expect stunning homes, furniture and stunning textiles. It means that Finland is decades ahead of the game when it comes to embedding good design in every way in the economy, infrastructure and culture.
It has a huge focus on sustainability and continuous improvement combined with an open and collaborative spirit where everyone can contribute and find the tools they need. Here is just one example: if you are considering starting a company in Finland, free Business Advisors are ready to guide you. It is a a simple eight-step process it only lasts a couple of weeks. For countries outside the European Union, a special “start-up permit” is available to help you grow your business internationally. If you need to raise funds, advisors can connect you with investors. In addition, there are hardly any language problems because all the information is available in English (in fact, the mayor of Helsinki once suggested in all seriousness that English should become the language of the city, so its use is so widespread and fluent).
We are often told that “rugged individualism” drives innovation and commerce. But the Finns have shown that the strength of social rights can also make you a business titan. For those considering starting a family, the Fair Family Leave policy launched in August means that both parents benefit from a whopping 160 days of leave, 63 of which can be transferred to the other spouse. Unlike many countries, the last stage of pregnancy is also covered, with up to 40 “assistance days” available, meaning mothers no longer have to use their maternity leave if they have to leave work before the baby is born.
Working hours are regulated, limited to 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week – and public healthcare is free. Air quality and health ratings are among the top five in the world, while drinking water is the best in the world.
It’s almost too good to be true, but happiness, well-being and success are tangible on Helsinki’s stylish streets and beautiful beaches. By April, Helsinki has an average of 200 hours of sunshine per month, and 298 hours at the peak of summer. Compare this to say Brussels, where 200 sunshine is as good as it gets. The people of Helsinki will certainly make the most of their exceptional climate. One Finnish mantra is “nature, space and silence”, and there are plenty of lovely places where you can find all three. The city is full of parks and public spaces of enormous extent Central park – 10 km long forest area starting from the city – Thu Esplanadea lively green pedestrian street between the Design District and the harbor.
And let’s not forget, Helsinki’s island and water culture is like getting a huge sip of well-being every day. Helsinki is surrounded on three sides by the Gulf of Finland, which also offers a wide range of seaside leisure opportunities, such as Löyly Sauna, an architect-designed public spa with glass windows and terraces where you can cool off in the sea itself. (Note: Finns love their saunas, for most it is at least a weekly ritual. Saunas are full of the city and in most apartment buildings and homes).
Löyly is located on the western edge of the wonderful Eira district, where pastel-colored Jugendstil villas with towers and decorative panels make for a fun walk. There are also dozens of islands that you can access and explore, some of which – like Lonna an island that offers a sauna and delicious meals in a relaxed and charming environment. (By the way, Helsinki’s food scene is exceptional, with a focus on fish, game and fresh local products). Simply put, there is no shortage of places to delight your friends and family when they come to visit.
Want to find out for yourself? The 90-day Finnish The program invites applications from those who want to experience three months of living and working in the happiest country in the world: a developed economy that is not afraid to look to the future. The search is currently closed, but bookmark the page for the next round!