Moved to Finland? Here is how to make friends in Finland as an expat.
Finns may seem quiet at first, but once you find your way in, you will find some of the most loyal and genuine friendships of your life. Life in Finland for a foreigner can feel a little uncertain at first, but making friends in Finland is absolutely possible with the right approach.
Why is it tricky to meet people?
One of the first things many people notice when moving to Helsinki or anywhere else in Finland is how separate work and personal life are kept. Do not expect after-work drinks with colleagues to be a regular thing. Finns are also often still close to the same friends they have had since childhood, so there is simply less pressure to go out and meet new people.
This is not unfriendliness. It is just that friendships here tend to grow slowly and last a lifetime. For expats arriving in a new city, that dynamic can feel a little closed off at first. The good news is that Finns can be shy about breaking the ice, but once the first word is said, they are usually warm, curious, and happy to talk.
What Finnish friendship actually looks like
Once a Finn considers you a friend, you will feel it. Finns value depth over breadth when it comes to relationships, so they would rather have a small number of people they can truly rely on than a wide circle of acquaintances. That means earning a Finnish friendship takes time, but what you get in return is someone who will genuinely show up for you, no questions asked. For anyone living in Finland as a foreigner, that kind of connection is well worth pursuing.
A word about silence
One thing that trips up many expats in Finland is the Finnish relationship with silence. In Finland, silence between people is not awkward or a sign that something is wrong. It is comfortable, respectful, and completely normal. You do not need to fill every pause in a conversation. Letting a moment breathe is not a bad sign, it often means the other person is simply at ease with you. Once you stop trying to fill the quiet, conversations in Finland start to feel a lot more natural.
How to make friends in Finland
The most natural entry points into Finnish social life are shared activities. Joining a running group, a craft circle, or a sports team gives you a shared reason to keep showing up, and friendships form naturally over time. Dog parks are also surprisingly social in Finland, where a wagging tail is often the easiest conversation starter there is.
If you are open to something a little more spontaneous, community saunas are worth trying. Places like Sompasauna in Helsinki have a friendly, open atmosphere where talking to strangers is not just normal, it is expected. Similar spots can be found in other Finnish cities too. Whether you move to Finland for work, family, or adventure, getting involved in local activities is the single best thing you can do for your social life.
Language is not a barrier
If you are worried about not speaking Finnish, you can relax. Most Finns speak excellent English and are used to switching languages without making a fuss about it. For anyone living in Finland as a foreigner, this makes day to day life and socialising considerably easier than in many other countries.
Make the most of summer
Finnish social life shifts noticeably when the sun comes out. Summer brings a warmth to people as much as to the weather, with outdoor events, festivals, and a general openness that can feel quite different from the darker months. Midsummer is a particularly good time to connect with people, and the long bright evenings create a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere that makes it easier to strike up a conversation. If you are moving to Helsinki, timing your arrival around summer can give your social life a real head start.
A shortcut for expat in Finland
Friendchise is an app built for exactly this situation. Whether you are new expat in Finland or have been here a while and want to expand your circle, you can share a plan for coffee, drinks, or a walk, or simply join a plan someone else has posted. Everyone on it is there with the same mindset: to meet new people and have a friendly chat. You can even browse other people’s interests before meeting, so you already have something to talk about.
How to make friends in Finland as an expat does not have to be a mystery. It takes a little patience, but move to Finland with an open mind and you will find the connections you are looking for. Give it a try and see how warmly people respond.