When you start a business, one of the first choices you have to make is the industry. The industry describes the type of business from which your company derives its main income. However, it does not have to limit your activities too strictly – nor does it bind you forever.
The industry guides, but does not restrict too much
Many entrepreneurs are surprised at how flexible the choice of industry ultimately is. The code you choose describes where you get your main income from. However, it does not prevent you from doing other things as well.
Example: If you are officially a "graphic designer," you can still bill for occasional snow removal or band gigs.
When should you change your field of work?
If your business changes so much that your current industry no longer describes your activities (e.g., you go from being a coder to a baker), it's time to update it. You can easily change your industry on the PRH website, and the change fee is €50.
Updating the industry classification is recommended especially when:
- the company's main activity changes completely
- you are starting a completely new business, which will generate most of your income in the future
- the previous field of activity is otherwise unjustifiably narrow or misleading
Where can you find the right industry?
If you are unsure about the right industry for you, you are not alone. A good way to find the right industry is to look at the industries used by entrepreneurs doing similar work, or browse the official industry classification. All industries and their descriptions can be found in Statistics Finland's TOL 2025 classification.