Isäntämaassa

Isäntämaassa refers to a Finnish concept where a citizen residing abroad is entitled to choose another EU country's pension benefits, in addition to their country of residence's pension benefits. This is a result of the EU's freedom of movement principle, which grants EU citizens the right to move and reside in another member state.

If an individual becomes an isäntämaan, they can transfer a portion of their pension to another country, known as the host country, while also retaining their original country's pension benefits. This is often done to maximize pension benefits or to retire in a country with a more favorable climate.

Isäntämaan status is not limited to pensioners, as individuals can opt for this arrangement at any age. However, it should be noted that the host country's pension schemes may have different eligibility requirements or age restrictions.

To be considered an isäntämaan, an individual typically needs to be a citizen of a European Union country and have resided in another EU country for at least five years. The host country must also offer a compatible pension scheme that allows the individual to combine benefits from their original and host countries.

The process of becoming an isäntämaan typically involves applying to both the original country and the host country's pension authorities. The details of the application process and required documentation can vary depending on the specific countries involved.