Live with pride: A city that celebrates with you

Every summer, Helsinki Pride brings the city together in a joyful burst of color, celebration, and solidarity. Nearly 100,000 people come out—not just to march, but to share in something bigger: a city that believes everyone deserves to feel at home. Local businesses join in, rainbow flags fly high, and the atmosphere? Pure acceptance.

But Helsinki’s commitment to equality isn’t just about one week of celebrations. When Finland made same-sex marriage legal in 2017, it wasn’t just lawmakers making history—it was the thousands of Helsinkians who stood together during the Tahdon 2013 campaign, demanding love without limits. On voting day, downtown Helsinki was packed with people celebrating love in all its forms.

Whether it’s Pride week or any random Wednesday, in this city you can live openly, love boldly, and feel genuinely welcome. 

Safe, fair, and thriving: Work in Helsinki

If you’re wondering what it’s like to work in Helsinki as part of a minority, here’s the good news: this city takes equality seriously. Finland’s laws protect you at work—whether it’s your gender, age, religion, or sexual orientation—and workplaces are built on respect. You’ll find employers who value inclusivity and are committed to keeping things fair.

In Helsinki, who you are won’t stand in the way of where you want to go. From government leaders to tech entrepreneurs and artists, people from diverse backgrounds are shaping the city’s future. So whether you’re just starting out or aiming for something big, you’ll find a place where you can grow, belong, and succeed.

Living in Helsinki your way

Photo Ninni West

There’s no one right way to live here. Whether you’re raising a family, in a relationship, or happily single, you’ll fit right in. Nearly half of Helsinkians over 15 are unmarried, and about one in four live alone. Living solo? Totally normal. It’s just another way of enjoying life around here.

And if love happens to be part of your story, you won’t feel boxed in by expectations. Falling in love, starting fresh, or building a life solo—it’s all accepted. Even divorce is simple here; you don’t need anyone’s permission to move on. Helsinkians get it—life isn’t about fitting into a mold, it’s about living on your own terms.

Thinking about moving to Helsinki? Wherever you’re coming from, you’ll find a city that respects your choices and makes you feel at home.

Cultural icons who shaped life in Helsinki

Ever heard of the Moomins? These lovable characters, created by Tove Jansson, are famous worldwide, but they’re more than just children’s stories. Tove’s world was built on courage, equality, and freedom—values she lived by. She shared her life openly with her partner, Tuulikki Pietilä, long before it was common, and her legacy still inspires life in Helsinki today.

And then there’s Tom of Finland, whose bold art revolutionised queer culture across the globe. Working from his home in Helsinki’s Ullanlinna district, he created thousands of pieces that celebrated pride and individuality. His influence is everywhere—from fashion to modern art.

Tove and Tom didn’t just make art—they made a mark. Their bold creativity and fearless individuality shaped Helsinki into a city that’s open, expressive, and full of life. 

Happiest capital in the world: A city for equality

Equality runs deep in Helsinki. It shows up in classrooms through gender-sensitive education, in policies that protect indigenous rights, and in everyday life where people treat each other with respect.

Here, no one’s watching or judging how you live. Whether you’re single, coupled, divorced, or figuring things out, you’ll feel accepted just as you are. Helsinkians believe that life is about living freely—and everyone deserves that.

Come as you are, happy Helsinki is waiting

Whether you’re visiting for a week or thinking of staying for good, Helsinki welcomes you. From its strong sense of equality to its cultural richness, it’s clear why it’s known as the happiest capital in the world. This is a city where diversity is celebrated, equality is real, and living authentically is the norm. So, come as you are. You’ll fit right in.