Why invoice content matters
In Finland, invoices aren't just payment requests — they're legal documents. If a VAT-registered customer receives an invoice with missing information, they may not be able to claim the input VAT back. That creates friction, re-work, and sometimes strained client relationships.
Getting your invoices right from the start is one of the simplest ways to run a cleaner business.
Required fields on a standard VAT invoice in Finland
Finnish invoicing requirements are set out in the Value Added Tax Act (arvonlisäverolaki). If you're VAT-registered and invoicing VAT-registered clients, your invoices must include all of the following.
1. Date of issue The date the invoice was created and sent.
2. Sequential invoice number Each invoice must have a unique, sequential number. Don't reuse numbers or leave gaps — if you need to cancel an invoice, issue a credit note instead.
3. Your VAT ID (Y-tunnus + ALV-tunnus) Your Finnish business ID and VAT registration number. Format: FI + your Y-tunnus without the hyphen (e.g. FI12345678).
4. Client's name and address The full legal name and address of the buyer. For business clients, use their official registered name.
5. Client's VAT ID (if applicable) For B2B invoices to VAT-registered clients, include their VAT number.
6. Your name and address Your full legal business name and address.
7. Description of goods or services A clear description of what was delivered or performed. "Consulting" alone isn't sufficient — be specific enough that a third party could understand the scope. For example: "Website copywriting, 10 pages, delivered March 2025."
8. Quantity and unit of measurement How many units, hours, or items were provided.
9. Unit price, excluding VAT The price per unit or hour before tax, along with any applicable discounts.
10. VAT rate The applicable rate — 25.5% (standard), 14%, or 10% depending on the goods or services. The standard rate in Finland increased to 25.5% on 1 September 2024.
11. VAT amount in euros The actual tax amount in euros, calculated on the taxable sum.
12. Total amount payable (including VAT) The final amount the client owes.
13. Date of supply (if different from invoice date) The date the goods were delivered or the service was performed. If it's the same as the invoice date, you can note this explicitly.
If you're not VAT-registered
If your annual turnover is below €20,000 (the threshold from 1 January 2025), your invoices don't need to include VAT amounts — and you should not show a VAT line at all.
Most other fields remain relevant even without VAT registration: your name and Y-tunnus, client details, description of work, date, and total.
Cross-border invoices (intra-EU B2B)
If you're invoicing a VAT-registered client in another EU country, the reverse charge mechanism typically applies. You don't add Finnish VAT, and your invoice must include your Finnish VAT ID, your client's EU VAT ID, and a note stating "VAT 0%, reverse charge" or similar.
Storing invoices
Under the Finnish Accounting Act, invoices must be stored for at least 6 years from the end of the accounting period in which the transaction occurred. Digital storage is fine as long as the invoices are readable and can be produced for inspection.
A quick checklist
NoCFO generates compliant invoices automatically — with all the required fields filled in correctly. Try it free →