Living Expenses

To many visitors, the cost of living in Finland will seem relatively high. The cost of living in Finland is about the same as in other EU countries. Basic goods such as bread can cost more than in many European countries, and heavily taxed goods, such as alcohol, can be very expensive, especially when bought in public bars or restaurants. The good news is that a number of products such as fish are much cheaper than in most of Europe, while food in almost all restaurants is reasonably priced. There are very few specialist food shops as most food is purchased in supermarkets, which vary considerably in size and range of products for sale. Even though there are relatively few supermarket chains, they compete fiercely with each other, which means there are always good offers to be had, advertised in the national and local press.

Below you find some estimation about the amounts we think you may need:

• Deposit in student apartments (approximately)       300 euro
• Accommodation (in student apartments)                200-500 euro/month
• Essentials                                                           50-100 euro/month
• Local transportation (if needed)                              40-80 euro/month
• Food                                                                   150-300 euro/month

This estimate does not include social activities, travelling, medical care or clothing. It has been estimated that an average monthly budget of a Finnish student is 650-800 euros a month.