International work assignments are on the rise generally, and Finland is no exception to this. Foreign companies send their employees to Finland to carry out work based on contracts with Finnish customers; and Finnish companies hire foreign labour to cover workforce shortages – especially in the context of larger projects. Furthermore, postings within multinational corporate groups have become more and more popular as a means of transferring know-how and special skills within the group.

Successful assignments require careful planning not only of the practical and cultural aspects but also in relation to legal framework, taxation and social security. This booklet seeks to provide some general guidelines and raise awareness of the most common issues related to international assignments. While the booklet is primarily aimed at foreign employers posting employees to Finland, it may also be useful for Finnish companies using foreign labour.