Sivutoimisilla

Sivutoimisilla is a Finnish term used to describe people who maintain a side activity or secondary income alongside their primary employment. The concept covers both informal side work and formal small-scale business activities, such as freelancing, gig work, or running a small enterprise in addition to a main job.

Common forms of sivutoiminen toiminta include freelance services, online sales, or hobby-based enterprises that generate income. Many sivutoimiset pursue their secondary activity to supplement earnings, test a business idea, or keep professional skills active while employed elsewhere. The term is frequently used in discussions about labor markets, entrepreneurship, and social security.

Legal and tax considerations are central to sivutoiminen toiminta. If the side activity is kept informal, income is typically reported as earned income in tax filings. If the activity is registered as a business (for example as a sole proprietor or other registered entity), it may require bookkeeping, potential value-added tax obligations, and separate business taxation. When a side business is tied to a formal registration, the owner may obtain a business ID (Y-tunnus) and must comply with relevant regulations, including invoicing and reporting. Employees considering sivutoiminen toimintaa may need to check their employment contract for consent requirements or conflicts of interest with their primary employer.

Examples of sivutoimisilla include freelancing in programming or writing, operating an online shop, driving for a ride-hailing service, or selling crafts. The term reflects the growing mix of traditional employment with secondary economic activity in Finland.