Hey,
I moved to Finland in 2022 for work. I was offered a permanent contract with a Finnish company to relocate here, and work. I just renewed my residence permit for a further four years on the basis of employment.
I am now considering the possibility of leaving that job, and starting my own company where I would do similar work but freelance instead, as it is more the direction I want to go in long-term, and the pay is quite a lot better.
**I have clients lined up that would give me/my company consistent income above what I currently earn, on long-term contracts**, so I would be able to demonstrate that on any business plan that I was asked to show.
I have read [this page](https://enterfinland.fi/eServices/info/selfemployment) and [this page](https://www.infofinland.fi/en/moving-to-finland/non-eu-citizens/entrepreneur-in-finland) on EnterFinland and InfoFinland, and it makes it seem almost too simple to be true… So according to this I would just either start a company or a toiminimi, prove I could pay myself from the income from that, and then re-apply for my residence permit under new grounds?
I am loving living in Finland right now and want to stay here, and pay my taxes here, and be totally above board…
Are there any catches to be aware of here? Are there any “gotchas”? Am I forgetting anything? Has anyone else done this as a non-EU foreigner and can share their experience?
Kiitos paljon ajastasi!
by SensibleHedgehog