Skip to content
Blurbay

Earn Money Online Finland: Simple Methods for Influencers and Creators

In today’s digital economy, Finland offers numerous opportunities for both social media influencers and everyday people to generate income online. Whether you’re looking to supplement your regular salary or build a full-time online business, this guide explores legal, practical ways to earn money in Finland through digital platforms.

Before diving into online moneymaking opportunities, understanding the legal framework is essential:

  1. Business Registration: Self-employed individuals must register with the Trade Register (PRH) and obtain a Business ID before earning income online. This is a mandatory first step for anyone looking to operate legitimately in Finland’s digital marketplace.

  2. Tax Obligations: All online income must be reported to the Finnish Tax Administration (Vero). Income is subject to:

    • Progressive national tax rates (up to 44.25%)
    • Municipal flat rates (4.7-10.9%)
    • Prepayments required if annual income exceeds €7,000

    Finland’s taxation system is comprehensive but fair - you’ll pay your share, but can also benefit from excellent public services and infrastructure that support your online business.

  3. VAT Registration: Required if your annual turnover exceeds €10,000. The standard VAT rate in Finland is 24% for digital services. This applies to everything from digital products to consultation services delivered online.

  4. Deductions: Business expenses like equipment, software subscriptions, and even a portion of your home office costs are deductible, helping reduce your tax burden. Keep meticulous records of all business-related expenses to maximize these benefits.

Lucrative Online Income Methods in Finland

1. Freelancing Services

Finland’s highly educated workforce is exceptionally well-positioned to offer premium services globally through platforms like:

Popular skills in demand:

  • Web development (€20-100/hour, with senior developers commanding top rates)
  • Graphic design
  • Content writing
  • Translation services (Finnish to English - a particularly valuable skill given the scarcity of native Finnish speakers globally)
  • Digital marketing

Pro tip: Leverage your Finnish language skills or Nordic market knowledge to stand out from global competition. For example, a Finnish content writer who understands local business culture can charge premium rates for helping international businesses enter the Finnish market.

2. E-commerce Opportunities

Selling products online is straightforward in Finland with options for both physical and digital goods:

Physical product platforms:

  • Tori.fi (ideal for secondhand goods and an excellent starting point for testing product demand)
  • Nettiauto (vehicles)
  • Huuto.net (auction-style sales)
  • International options: Amazon, eBay, Etsy (particularly good for handcrafted items)

Case Example: Maija, a Helsinki-based artist, started selling handpainted postcards on Etsy featuring iconic Finnish landscapes. She initially invested just €200 in supplies and now earns €1,200-1,500 monthly, shipping her unique Nordic designs worldwide.

Finnish artist creating watercolor postcards to sell on Etsy and generate online income

Remember: If selling across EU borders, ensure VAT compliance through proper documentation and reporting. The unified EU VAT rules make selling across Europe straightforward, but require careful attention to reporting requirements.

3. Content Creator Subscriptions

For influencers and content creators, subscription platforms offer sustainable income:

  • Patreon: Ideal for artists, writers, podcasters who want to monetize exclusive content
  • OnlyFans: Popular for exclusive content across various niches
  • BlurBay: Create your own subscription platform where followers can access premium content

These platforms allow you to monetize your audience directly through monthly subscriptions. Even with a modest following of dedicated fans, creators can generate significant recurring revenue. A Finnish podcaster with just 200 loyal subscribers paying €5 monthly can earn €1,000 per month before platform fees.

As with all income in Finland, subscription earnings must be reported and are subject to taxation as self-employment income.

4. Digital Products and Courses

Creating and selling digital products can generate passive income in Finland with minimal ongoing effort:

  • E-books: Share expertise on niche topics (specialized Finnish cooking, Nordic design principles, etc.)
  • Online courses: Teach specialized skills (Finnish language for beginners is particularly valuable)
  • Templates and digital assets: Design resources, photography, etc.
  • Software or apps: Solve specific problems facing Nordic users

A significant advantage of digital products is their scalability—create once, sell infinitely. A well-designed online course about traditional Finnish crafts could generate income for years with minimal updates required.

BlurBay makes it particularly easy to sell online courses, videos, and digital assets with features like custom subscription options and community building tools. The platform handles payment processing and content delivery, allowing creators to focus on producing valuable content.

5. Remote Work Opportunities

Full-time remote positions with Finnish or international companies offer stable income:

  • Customer support roles: Often require Finnish language skills and offer flexible scheduling (€2,000-3,000/month)
  • Software development: High demand with competitive salaries (€2,500-€4,000/month)
  • Design roles: UX/UI designers are sought after (€3,000-3,500/month)
  • Content creation: Writing, editing, social media management (€2,000-3,000/month)

Job boards like Remote.co and We Work Remotely regularly feature opportunities accessible to Finland-based professionals. LinkedIn has also become an excellent resource for finding remote positions with Finnish companies expanding their distributed workforce.

6. Affiliate Marketing

Promote products or services and earn commissions on sales:

  • Local affiliate programs: Finnish companies like Verkkokauppa.com offer affiliate partnerships
  • International programs: Amazon Associates, ShareASale, etc.
  • Influencer collaborations: Direct partnerships with brands

This approach works well for those with established audiences on blogs, YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok. The key is authenticity—Finnish audiences respond well to genuine recommendations rather than obvious paid promotions.

Platforms for Social Media Monetization in Finland

Social media influencers have multiple income streams available:

YouTube

  • Ad revenue: Requires 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours before you can join the YouTube Partner Program
  • Channel memberships: Offer exclusive perks to paying subscribers (available once you reach 30,000 subscribers)
  • Super Chat and Super Stickers: Receive tips during live streams

A Finnish tech YouTuber with 50,000 subscribers might earn €1,000-2,000 monthly from ad revenue alone, with additional income from sponsored content and affiliate links.

YouTube Partner Program monetization opportunities for Finnish influencers

Instagram

  • Sponsored posts: Collaborate with brands for paid content (micro-influencers with 5,000-20,000 followers can earn €200-500 per sponsored post)
  • Affiliate marketing: Share product links with tracking codes
  • Selling digital products: Promote your offerings to followers

Finnish Instagram users respond particularly well to authentic content featuring local landscapes, design, and lifestyle—leveraging these elements can help grow your following.

TikTok

Many wonder if you can earn money from TikTok in Finland - yes, through:

  • TikTok Creator Fund: Available to creators meeting certain criteria
  • Brand partnerships: Sponsored content opportunities (even accounts with 10,000-50,000 followers can secure partnerships)
  • Live gifts: Virtual gifts converted to real money

TikTok’s relatively recent emergence means less competition for Finnish creators, particularly those creating content in Finnish or highlighting unique aspects of Finnish culture.

Tax Strategy and Compliance

To maximize earnings while staying compliant:

  1. Use MyTax Portal: The Finnish Tax Administration’s online system makes reporting income straightforward. The interface is available in English and provides clear guidance.

  2. Consider Business Structure: For significant income, establishing a limited company (Oy) might be more tax-efficient than sole proprietorship. The threshold where this becomes advantageous is typically around €40,000-50,000 annual profit.

  3. Track Business Expenses: Keep detailed records of all business-related purchases for deductions. This includes:

    • Technology purchases (computers, cameras, microphones)
    • Software subscriptions
    • Home office expenses (proportional to space used)
    • Marketing costs
    • Professional development

  4. Consider Prepayments: If earning substantial amounts, arrange tax prepayments to avoid surprises. These can be adjusted throughout the year as your income fluctuates.

  5. Seek Professional Advice: Finnish tax regulations are complex; consulting with an accountant familiar with digital business models is recommended. The initial investment of €200-400 for professional tax advice often pays for itself in optimized tax strategies.

Case Studies: Success Stories in Finland

Finnish YouTuber Case Study

A Finnish tech reviewer started by creating content in both Finnish and English, building a following of 50,000 subscribers. Their income sources now include:

  • YouTube ad revenue: €1,000-2,000/month
  • Sponsored content: €1,500-3,000 per video (typically 2-3 per month)
  • Affiliate commissions: €500-1,000/month
  • Online course sales: €2,000-4,000/month through BlurBay

Their key to success was consistency—posting weekly reviews for over two years—and leveraging their bilingual skills to reach both Finnish and international audiences.

E-commerce Success

A handmade jewelry creator from Helsinki began selling on Etsy and now earns €3,000-5,000 monthly by:

  • Focusing on Nordic-inspired designs that stand out in global marketplaces
  • Creating excellent product photography showcasing the jewelry in Finnish natural settings
  • Optimizing listings for international shipping with clear policies
  • Building an email list for repeat customers (offering a 10% discount for newsletter signup)

What started as a hobby now supports her family, with 70% of sales coming from international customers seeking authentic Scandinavian designs.

Getting Started Today

  1. Assess Your Skills: Identify what you can offer based on your expertise and interests. Consider not just professional skills but also hobbies and cultural knowledge that might be valuable.

  2. Research Market Demand: Ensure there’s appetite for your offerings in Finland or globally. Use tools like Google Trends to identify growing interest areas.

  3. Set Up Legal Structure: Register your business activity with appropriate authorities. The process can be completed online through the PRH website.

  4. Create a Business Plan: Outline income goals, marketing strategies, and growth plans. Even a simple one-page plan helps clarify your direction.

  5. Start Small: Test your concept before significant investment. For example, sell a few items on Tori.fi before building a full e-commerce store.

Comparison with Other Nordic Countries

The principles of online income generation are similar across the Nordic region, but there are some differences. Methods that work in Finland often translate well when looking to earn money online in Sweden or make money online in Norway, though tax rates and specific regulations vary.

Finland’s VAT threshold (€10,000) is actually more favorable than in Sweden (where VAT registration is required from the first krona), making it slightly easier to start small businesses in Finland.

Conclusion

Finland provides a stable, tech-friendly environment for earning money online. With high internet penetration (over 90% of the population), strong digital infrastructure, and a population comfortable with online transactions, the opportunities for influencers and ordinary citizens alike are abundant.

The key to success lies in finding the right intersection between your skills, market demand, and preferred income models while ensuring proper compliance with Finnish tax and business regulations.

By leveraging platforms like BlurBay for selling digital products and courses, or exploring freelancing, e-commerce, and content creation, you can build sustainable online income streams in Finland’s digital economy. The Finnish entrepreneurial ecosystem, with its emphasis on innovation and work-life balance, provides an ideal foundation for your online income journey.