Data exchange between the population registers of Estonia and Finland

Frequently asked questions about Estonian–Finnish data exchange can be found here.

Estonia and Finland have been exchanging residence data from the population register since 2006. Finland notifies Estonia of Estonian citizens who have moved there, and Estonia notifies Finland of Finnish citizens who have moved here. Based on the data transmitted by Finland, changes are made to the residence data of Estonian citizens, entering their Finnish residence data into the Estonian population register.

On 1 May 2024, a new agreement between Estonia and Finland entered into force. It expands the range of persons whose data will be exchanged. Moreover, in addition to residence data, it also involves exchanging other data on people moving between the two countries. The exchange of data between the two countries ensures that the population register data of both Finnish citizens living in Estonia and Estonian citizens living in Finland is up-to-date and corresponds to reality. Initially, the exchange concerns data on migration between Estonia and Finland, i.e. places of residence and death data of citizens living abroad. Later, however, the exchange will also extend to other data. For instance, in the future, changes in name or marital status and birth data will be automatically transmitted. The entire data exchange will be launched gradually, but the exchange of death data was implemented by 1 May 2025, and the exchange of residence data will be implemented on 2 December 2025.

A permanent address can only be registered in one country at a time, i.e. a person cannot have an official residence in both Estonia and Finland at the same time.

A person who is registered as a resident in both countries when the updated exchange of residence data starts in December 2025 will, according to the agreement, remain registered as a resident in only one country – the one that he or she considers to be his or her residence due to family ties, earning a living or other similar circumstances. The Ministry of the Interior will inform persons with addresses in two countries of the need to choose one in January 2026. If a person has registered residences in both Estonia and Finland at the same time and does not choose a main residence, he or she will remain registered in the country where his or her residence was last changed. The authority of the country of last residence will inform the population register authority of the other country of this, and the corresponding authority will also make the corresponding changes in the population register of that country.

Population registration agreement between the government of the Republic of Estonia and the government of the Republic of Finland 

Checking the accuracy of your residence data

You can view your residence data in the Estonian population register:

•    on the website rahvastikuregister.ee (ID card, Mobile ID or Smart ID required)

•    at the rural municipality or city government of your place of residence (free of charge)

•    at the local government of the county centre of your choice (for a fee, if it is not the municipality of your residence)

You can find information on how to view your residence data in the Finnish population register at www.dvv.fi/muutot-suomen-ja-viron-valilla.