A region investing in innovation
The Turku region is one of Finland’s leading innovation clusters — a place where a dense concentration of universities, research infrastructures and industry work as one.
Innovation here starts with people: a large, highly educated and internationally fluent talent base, and a support system built to bring that talent on board fast.
Research and talent in one compact ecosystem
The Turku region combines strong academic excellence with close industry collaboration. Around 40,000 students study in the region, while annual investment in research and development reached approximately €600 million in 2024.
Five universities and higher education institutions provide a steady pipeline of talent for regional industries. The University of Turku, Åbo Akademi University and Turku University of Applied Sciences are among the key contributors, with strong graduate output in health and life sciences, technology, engineering, business, and maritime fields.
6 reasons to choose the Turku region
#1
Municipality in Finland for new work-based residence permits (2025)
2
Official languages — Finnish and Swedish
#1
English-proficiency score in Finland
40,000
Students in the region
600 M€
Regional R&D expenditure (2024)
2 weeks
Fast-track work permit for specialists
Where research meets industry
Innovation campuses and hubs bring companies, universities and research organisations together on shared sites. Open testbeds and specialised development platforms let companies pilot, prototype and scale in real conditions.
This co-innovation culture is a large part of why international companies choose the region: cutting-edge expertise and rapid experimentation, close at hand.
A growing international workforce
The Turku region is attracting talent from around the world. In 2025, Turku granted more new work-based residence permits than any other municipality in Finland, while Southwest Finland ranked first among all Finnish regions. Combined with safe communities, high-quality public services and easy access to nature, the Turku region offers an excellent quality of life for international talent.
A highly skilled talent pool
The Turku region offers access to a highly skilled and internationally oriented workforce. Southwest Finland has the highest English proficiency level in Finland, while English is widely spoken across the country.
The region’s universities and higher education institutions attract students and professionals from around the world and offer a broad range of English-taught degree programmes. This creates a steady pipeline of international talent for companies operating in global markets.
Finland’s official bilingualism, Finnish and Swedish, further strengthens connections to the Nordic market and supports cross-border collaboration.
Easy international recruitment and relocation
Finland offers a streamlined process for international recruitment. Specialist work permits can be processed through the national fast-track service, enabling international employees and their families to relocate quickly.
In the Turku region, International House Turku supports arriving professionals with guidance on immigration, registration and settling in, helping companies and employees navigate the relocation process smoothly.
A great place for international families
The Turku region offers an attractive environment for international professionals and their families. Spouses of international employees have the right to work in Finland, supporting dual-career households and helping families settle successfully in the region.
Families benefit from access to international education, including Turku International School, which offers English-language education from primary school through the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
Funding that turns ideas into growth
Companies developing new products and technologies in the Turku region can tap into some of Europe’s most accessible innovation funding.
Business Finland grants and loans support R&D and internationalisation, often covering a significant share of eligible project costs, while Finland’s R&D tax incentive adds a further deduction on research spending.
Regional development grants and EU instruments are available on top. Business Turku’s advisors help companies identify the right national and EU funding — at no cost.
Discover the possibilities of technology in Turku
In Focus
University partnerships power Bayer’s renewal in Turku
Discover how collaboration between Bayer and local universities supports innovation, talent development and long-term growth in the Turku region.
Ready to explore opportunities in the Turku region?
Our team is your gateway to the Turku region. We are here to help you find the right location, partners, and pathways for your investment. Get in touch—we’ll guide you every step of the way, free of charge!
