There are several ways to pay your bills, for example online with your banking user identifiers, using a bank transfer form or with cash.

How to open a bank account?

You can open a bank account only if you have a passport, foreign ID card or other official identification document. The bank has its own rules on the types of documents it accepts. If the bank does not accept your document, you will not be able to get a bank account. Then you will have to pay bills with cash for the time being.

If you are a client of the Refugee Reception Services, ask an employee there to book an interpreter and an appointment with the bank.

There are several banks in Finland and Hämeenlinna where you can open a bank account.

How to get online banking user identifiers?

Online banking is the cheapest way to pay bill from a bank account in Finland.

You can get online banking codes only if your bank can reliably verify your identity. That’s why you may have to wait for the codes for a long time, up to a year. Unfortunately, you cannot do anything yourself to speed up the process.

How to pay your bills if you do not have a bank account or user identifiers for online banking?

You can pay your bills at:

• R-Kiosks
• banks
• at the checkout of the company which sent you the bill.

The bank and the R-Kiosk will take the payment when you visit them to pay the bill.

If your bill has a bar code, you can pay it at the R-Kiosk. The R-Kiosk takes a fee of about 3€ for processing the bill. Paying in the bank is more expensive.

If your bill has been sent by the City of Hämeenlinna, you can pay it at the Kastelli service point’s payment desk. Examples of bills from the city include medical or dental fees. Service charge is 5€ per bill. Hospital bills cannot be paid at Kastelli.

What to do if you do not have the money to pay a bill?

If you do not have the money to pay a bill, call the customer service of the company that sent you the bill. Ask you to pay later when you receive money. Arrange with the company the date on which you will pay the invoice.

If you do not arrange the payment date with the company, the bill will be transferred to a debt collection agency. The agency will add its own service fee to your bill. It can be several dozen euros.

Good to remember

If you are applying for social assistance, you need proof that you have paid for your bills. If you pay through online banking or a bank transfer form, your payment will be shown on your bank statement. If you pay the bill with cash, get a receipt. Submit the bill and receipt with your social assistance application.

If you need more advice and guidance you can contact the city’s Refugee Reception Services or Immigration Info at Kastelli. You can also ask the city’s social services for advice and guidance.

Source: Takuusäätiö