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    What is the reference number (viitenumero) on a Finnish bill?

    Why you should always copy the reference number.

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    Short answer

    Finnish bills usually show a reference number, viitenumero. Finance Finland's credit transfer guide explains that the invoicer uses it to identify the bill, and a payment with the reference goes to the payee's account for referenced payments. The number can follow the Finnish standard or the international RF standard. If you fill in both a message and a reference, only the reference is passed on. So copy the reference exactly.

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    Why

    1. Finance Finland's guide describes the reference number on the credit transfer form.
    2. The guide says message and reference are mutually exclusive.
    3. The international RF reference follows ISO 11649.

    Details

    Finnish reference numbers have a check digit at the end, so a typing mistake is usually caught by the bank.

    Tip

    Many bills also have a barcode or QR code. Scanning it fills in the account, amount, reference and due date.

    What may differ

    Some payees ask for a message instead of a reference. Follow the instructions on the bill.

    Common misconception

    You can write the bill number in the message instead of the reference.

    What actually happens

    Without the reference the payment may not be matched to your bill.

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    Sources

    This answer is for reference only. Payment rules and fees change, so check the official sources or your bank before you pay.

    Practical: communication, money, services
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