FINNSAT

Identifying the customer
Finnish law says that the bank must at all times identify the customer, notably when establishing a
permanent relationship like an account. The following documents are considered reliable evidence
of identity for banking purposes:
• passport
• identity card (also temporary)
• photo-bearing health insurance card
• alien’s passport
• diplomatic passport
• refugee’s travel document
A driving licence issued abroad or any other non-Finnish evidence of identity is not accepted as
reliable proof of identity, because their authenticity cannot be verified. This applies to non-Finnish
nationals other than Scandinavians, whose identity cards are accepted as valid proof of identity.
But even in these cases, the bank may ask for further documents to support identification.
Further information on Finnish identity cards and how to get them is available at the local police
and offices of the Social Insurance Institution.
Knowing the customer
Besides identification, Finnish law requires banks to know their customer in the scope required by
the banking relationship contemplated and the extent of the services offered.
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Voiko ulkomaalainen avata pankkitilin Suomessa?


Ulkomaalaiset voivat avata Suomessa tilin periaatteessa samalla tavoin kuin suomalaisetkin. Lain mukaan pankin täytyy kuitenkin pystyä tunnistamaan asiakkaansa ja tämä saattaa olla ulkomaalaisten kohdalla vaikeampaa. Pankki tarvitsee henkilö- ja osoitetietojen ohella usein myös henkilökoodin. Useat pankit edellyttävät joko työlupaa, opiskelutodistusta tai suosituskirjettä luotettavalta pankilta sekä selvitystä maksuliikenteen luonteesta. Pankkitilin avaamista kannattaakin tiedustella suoraan pankeista.