Choosing an industry

When you start a business, one of the first choices you'll make is your industry (line of business). The industry describes the type of business activity from which your company earns its main income. However, it doesn't have to define your work too strictly – nor does it tie you down forever.

Your industry guides you, but doesn't restrict you too much

Many entrepreneurs are surprised at how flexible the choice of industry actually is. The code you choose describes where you get your main income from. However, it doesn't stop you from doing other things as well.

Example: If you're officially registered as a "Graphic designer," you can still invoice for occasional snow removal work or a band gig.

When should I change my industry?

If your business changes so much that your current industry no longer describes what you do (for example, a programmer becomes a baker), it's time to update it. You can easily change your industry via PRH's online service (the Finnish Patent and Registration Office), and the change fee is €50.

Updating your industry is especially recommended when:

• your company's main activity changes completely

• you start a completely new business that will make up most of your income going forward

• your previous industry is otherwise unreasonably narrow or misleading

Where can I find the right industry?

If you're unsure which industry fits, you're not alone. A good way to find the right one is to see which industries other entrepreneurs doing similar work use, or to browse the official industry classification. All industries, with descriptions, can be found in Statistics Finland's TOL 2025 industry classification.