Henkilötunnisteen

Henkilötunnisteen, often translated as personal identity code or personal identification number, is a unique identifier assigned to individuals in Finland. It is used for a wide range of administrative and official purposes, including taxation, healthcare, social security, and banking. The Finnish personal identity code is structured to convey specific information about the individual. It consists of a date of birth segment, a unique sequential number, and a check digit. The date of birth part is formatted as DDMMYY, where DD represents the day, MM the month, and YY the last two digits of the year. The sequential number distinguishes individuals born on the same day. The check digit is calculated based on the preceding numbers and serves as a simple error detection mechanism.

The issuing and management of personal identity codes are handled by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto). Individuals residing in Finland are assigned a personal identity code upon registration in the population information system. For foreigners living in Finland, a personal identity code is issued when they register their residence and are granted the right to reside in the country. The personal identity code is a crucial element for accessing public and private services in Finland, ensuring the accurate identification of individuals in various transactions and official records. Its use is regulated by Finnish law to protect individual privacy and prevent misuse.