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Peace, nature, and security rank high on the list of reasons to choose Åland. Equally appreciated are the closeness of the small community and the wide range of paths toward an interesting career. Here you will simply find everything you need, whether you are returning home or newly arrived.
In Åland, you will find the world's most beautiful archipelago and an abundance of unspoiled nature. Here you can enjoy a life where island time sets the pace. We choose to call it quality of life!
The proximity to everything means you get more time for life. You are 10 minutes from your career. 10 minutes from daycare and school. 10 minutes from leisure and activities.
Discover Mariehamn, surrounded by sea to both the east and west.
Åland has one city and 16 municipalities spread across the countryside and in the archipelago.
Åland consists of more than 6,700 islands and skerries. The largest island is mainland Åland. Approximately 90 percent of Åland's population lives on mainland Åland.
Inhabitants: approximately 30,000Language: SwedishCurrency: euroTime: Eastern European Time (GMT +2).When it is 12:00 in Sweden, it is 13:00 in Åland. Daylight saving time according to EU standards.Top-level domain: .axCountry code: AXArea code: 018From Sweden, dial 00358 18 before Åland phone numbers. From Finland, use only area code 018.Municipalities: 16Member: EU and EURES, but outside the tax union.
Åland has its own hospital with healthcare for all stages of life.
Valid EU driving licences are also accepted in Åland. Temporary driving licences or certificates issued in other countries are not accepted.
Statistics and information about everything from weather and population to the labour market and wages can be found in the brochure "Åland in figures". The brochure is published by the Åland Statistics and Research Bureau (ÅSUB).Read more about statistics and Åland in figures at ÅSUB
Åland belongs to Finland, but the connection to Sweden is evident in culture and customs. Classic Nordic dishes such as meatballs, for example, feel just as much a part of Åland as they do of Sweden. The people of Åland also speak Swedish and enjoy watching Swedish TV.
Åland is a self-governing and demilitarized region in Finland. The self-governance and demilitarization make Åland unique in this part of the world.
Thanks to self-governance, the people of Åland have, among other things, the right to:
Åland's legislative assembly is called the lagting and can be compared to a parliament. The lagting appoints the regional government, which is Åland's government.
The rules on self-governance are compiled in the Act on the Autonomy of Åland. The Autonomy Act can only be amended by the Finnish Parliament in a constitutional manner and with the consent of the Åland lagting. The current Autonomy Act entered into force on 1 January 1993.
Åland is demilitarized and neutralized. This means that military forces are not permitted to be present here. It also means that Åland may not be fortified and must be kept outside of military conflicts in the area. The demilitarization also means that anyone who has the right of domicile and has moved to Åland before the age of 12 is exempt from military service.
Åland's demilitarization is a result of Russia's defeat in the Crimean War from 1854 to 1856. At the Peace of Paris in 1856, the Åland Servitude was established, guaranteeing that military installations may not be built on Åland.
Read more about self-governance and demilitarization at Aland.ax
Regional domicile rights is the concept we use when discussing Åland's "citizenship". The Åland regional domicile rights protect, among other things, the Swedish language and ensure that businesses are mainly conducted by those who live in Åland.
The regional domicile rights is a right that belongs to every Ålander, but which you lose if you are registered elsewhere for more than five years. If you move back to Åland, you can apply to have your regional domicile rights restored.
Yes, as a newcomer you can apply for Åland regional domicile rights. The conditions are that you:
The Åland regional domicile rights grant you the following rights:
The Regional Government can grant a dispensation (land acquisition permit) so that you can own land for permanent residence even if you have not formally obtained regional domicile rights.
Shares in housing companies can be owned without a permit.
Read more about the regional domicile rights at the Åland Regional Government
If you lack the right of domicile in Åland, you need to apply for a land acquisition permit to purchase land or a house in Åland. As a newcomer, you may be granted permission to purchase a plot of less than 4,000 m² in an area designated for permanent residence, provided that you have permanent employment or can otherwise demonstrate that you plan to stay. After five years of residence, permits are generally granted without restriction.
Please note that the purchase of a housing cooperative apartment in most cases does not require a land acquisition permit, but always check whether the relevant housing company's permit contains any special requirements.
During the processing, the Regional Government of Åland requests an opinion from the municipality, but this is not binding. The final decision is always made by the Regional Government of Åland.
The processing time is normally two to three months.
Thanks to the land acquisition permit, most people do not need the right of domicile to purchase a home in Åland.
Read more about the permit and land acquisition in Åland at the Åland Regional Government.
To conduct business in Åland, you need to have a trade license. The licensing authority at the Åland Island Government is based on the Ålandic nationality protection and the principle that business activities in Åland shall be managed by those who are residents here.
Read more about trade licenses and applications for trade licenses at the Åland Island Government
On June 9th, on Autonomy Day, the people of Åland celebrate their own equivalent of a national day in memory of the establishment of Åland's autonomy.
The environment is varied, from the barren rocks of the outer archipelago to forests and fertile agricultural landscapes on mainland Åland. The climate is typically maritime with relatively mild winters, cool springs, normal summers and slightly warmer autumns. The archipelago has the most sunshine hours in the Nordic countries during the summer half of the year.
Åland is perfect for nature experiences and outdoor activities in the forest – hiking, paddling, cycling, golfing, fishing, climbing, diving, working out, experience it all! Visit Visit Åland for more tips on activities.
The country roads are red, the color comes from the red rock granite. There are neither trains nor subway here, but where the roads end, you instead continue your journey by car ferry to the islands in the archipelago.
Local traffic also includes buses that operate in the city and out into the countryside.
Did you know that there are many misconceptions about Åland? Here we clear up seven of the most common myths while giving you a clearer picture of what it's like to live and work in Åland. From jobs, housing and entrepreneurship to a rich cultural and community life.
Åland belongs to Finland but is a self-governing island region. The self-governance means that Åland has its own legislation in many areas. This means that certain laws may differ between Åland and Finland, while others – where Åland does not have the right to enact its own laws – are the same as in Finland.
The Ålanders have their own Swedish dialect with their own words and expressions. Here we have compiled a selection of them.
Don't be lazy, but see now to it that you shuffle inside and read, you lazybones! ;)
Det finns många anledningar att välja Åland. Ibland är det jobbet, andra gånger familjen, kärleken eller möjligheten till en enklare vardag. Läs mer om hur livet på Åland kan se ut i våra intervjuer med nya ålänningar.
In the Town Hall at Storagatan 11 B, you will find Mariehamn's integration unit, which helps you who have recently moved to the city to find your way in your new everyday life. Here you can get answers to practical questions and other useful information, for example about daycare, school, or other municipal services. The integration unit also organizes activities and projects where you can meet others and become part of the local community.
If you have more questions about life in Åland, you are welcome to contact us! We provide personal guidance, help you with your moving plans, and are happy to give tips about jobs, housing, schools, and leisure activities.
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