Information for visitors and for those moving to town

Town hall is situated in the centre of Nivala at Kalliontie 15 and provides the following services:

Ground floor

  • Information. Brochures.
  • Central Administration
  • Financial Office
  • Social Services Office
  • Agricultural Department and farmers' substitute services

Upper floor

  • Educational and Cultural Section
  • Citizen Institute Office
  • Child Day Care Office
  • Technical Department
  • Catering and Cleaning Services Administration
  • Environment secretary
  • Town Gardener
  • Debt Counselling
  • Reception room of Legal Aid Office

Rental Apartments in Nivala can be found at the office of Kiinteistö OY Nivalan Vuokrakodit, Kalliontie 18, upper floor, and on the web site: http://www.vuokrakodit.fi -> Briefly in English. On the web site contact information also about real estate agents offering apartments for rent and sale, along with land lots can be found. The technical department in the Town hall also provides information about land lots for sale. http://www.nivala.fi -> Muuttaja ja rakentaja -> Tontit.

Employment and Economic Development Office / TE-Office (Työ- ja elinkeinotoimisto / TE-toimisto) in Nivala, Kalliontie 18, upper floor. Employment and Economic Development Office in Nivala-Haapajärvi subregion http://www.mol.fi/toimistot/haapajarvi/. Information in English: http://www.mol.fi -> In English. Brochures in English: http://www.mol.fi -> Työ- ja elinkeinotoimistot -> Esitteet, broschyrer, brochures.

The Social Insurance Institution of Finland, KELA – Kansaneläkelaitos in Nivala, Kalliontie 18; the national social insurance institution. Web site: http://www.kela.fi -> In English -> Contact information for Kela offices -> Select city/town -> Nivala.

Police, service point in Nivala, Kalliontie 32 (Jokilaaksot Police Department, Jokilaaksojen poliisilaitos) http://www.poliisi.fi/poliisi/jokilaaksot/home.nsf -> Poliisiasemat ja palvelupisteet -> Nivalan palvelupiste, and http://www.poliisi.fi -> In English.

Tax Office Jokilaaksojen verotoimisto. The nearest tax offices are in Ylivieska, Valtakatu 4 and Haapajärvi (mon and tue), Puistokatu 39. Web site: http://www.vero.fi -> Yhteystiedot -> Verotoimistot -> Valitse paikkakunta -> Nivala, and http://www.vero.fi -> In English -> Contact Information.

Local Register Office of Northern Finland, Ylivieska unit at: Valtakatu 4, floor number 3. http://www.maistraatti.fi -> In English -> Contact information -> Nivala. Unit's service area: Alavieska, Haapajärvi, Haapavesi, Kalajoki, Kärsämäki, Nivala, Pyhäjärvi, Reisjärvi, Sievi and Ylivieska.



Nivala Industrial Park Ltd., Nivalan Teollisuuskylä Oy, and Nivala Technology Centre Nitek, Pajatie 5, economic development services. http://www.nivala.fi -> Yrittäjä -> Teollisuuskylä -> In English and http://nitek.nivala.fi-> In English.

Nivalan Kaukolämpö Oy KAUKO, hybrid district heating plant, office at Veikonväylä 1. http://www.kauko.eu

Nivalan Vesihuolto Oy, water supply and sewerage, office at Vesitie 5 http://www.nivalanvesihuolto.fi

Hitura nickel mine, Kummuntie 8 http://www.belmining.com

Fire station in Nivala, Kalliontie 55 (Jokilaaksojen pelastuslaitos). http://www.jokipelastus.fi -> Toiminta-alueen esittely -> Paloasemat -> Nivala.


Health care centre and inpatient ward, Pappilantie 1 http://www.kalliopp.fi -> Terveyspalvelut -> Nivalan terveyskeskus.

Child day care office, Kalliontie 15 (Town hall), upper floor. There are seven child day care centres in Nivala.

Dentist, Pappilantie 1 and Kalliontie 20.

Homes for the elderly, Vapaudentie 35, Raivaajantie 12 and Niittytie 13-15 http://www.vanhustenkotiyhdistys.fi -> Kiinteistöt.

Save the Children Finland, Pelastakaa Lapset ry, local association in Nivala. A Citizen organization providing aid and welfare for children. http://www.pelastakaalapset.fi -> Ota yhteyttä -> Paikallisyhdistykset -> Nivalan Pelastakaa Lapset ry., and http://www.pelastakaalapset.fi -> English.

Red Cross, Punainen Risti, local association in Nivala. http://www.nivala.punainenristi.fi -> Yhteystiedot (Contact information), and http://www.punainenristi.fi -> English.


Oulun Eteläinen - Oulu South http://www.oulunetelainen.fi -> ENG. Information about regional opportunities for studying, enterprising, research and development (in the southern area of Northern Ostrobothnia). Regional news.

Settinetti - Information centre at Internet of the youth in the Oulu South Region (in the southern area of Northern Ostrobothnia). http://www.settinetti.fi -> In English.

Immigrant guidance and counselling. Nivala office at Pajatie 5, Nitek Building, floor number 3. http://www.tupaan.fi -> English. (Immigrant representation startup project.)

Info Bank, Infopankki http://www.infopankki.fi -> In English. Basic information for immigrants and foreigners on the functioning of society and opportunities in Finland. Gateway to public services in Finland at http://www.suomi.fi -> In English. A "window" on Finland for everyone interested in the country, culture and people at http://www.finland.fi (published by The Finland Promotion Board).


Services of school and education:

School office, Educational and cultural section / Town hall, Kalliontie 15, upper floor.

In the Nivala area there are 12 comprehensive schools (peruskoulu) with over 1500 pupils. In the surrounding villages there are ten lower-stage comprehensive schools (alakoulu), classes 1-6 each. Two schools are located in the town centre: Kyösti Kallio School, a lower-stage comprehensive school with classes 1-6 and a section of classes in special teaching, address of Tarhinkuja 4, and the Niva-Kaija School, address Kalliontie 47, is an upper-stage comprehensive school (yläkoulu) with classes 7-9.

Contacts about comprehensive schools in Nivala at http://www.nivala.fi -> Koulut.

The Upper secondary school / High school in Nivala (lukio) has 170 pupils and is in the town centre, address of Peltotie 2. The high school is part of the Northern Ostrobothnian high school system which offers online courses (Etälukio). Website: http://www.nivalanlukio.fi

Vocational Institute Nivalan ammattiopisto – NAO, in Nivala address: Maliskyläntie 2, is the vocational institute operating in Nivala and Pyhäjärvi. http://www.kam.fi/nao -> In English. The NAO belongs to the JEDU, Educational Federation in the Jokilaaksot area. In the NAO a double certificate can be taken in cooperation with the Upper secondary school / High school in Nivala (lukio). There are about 900 students in the institute including the adult students. Education guide in English: http://www.kam.fi/docs/KAM_Koulutusopas_UK.pdf Fields of study are:

  • Vehichle technology and logistics
  • Catering, restaurants, and hotel industry
  • Cosmetology and hairdressing
  • Construction / Stone Builder: at Laitisentie 6, Pyhäsalmi in Pyhäjärvi
  • Arts, crafts and design, artisan: at Toritie 15, Nivala
  • Metalwork and machinery: at Maliskyläntie 2, Nivala, and at Laitisentie 6, Pyhäsalmi in Pyhäjärvi
  • Timber industry / Joinery
  • House technique / Heating, plumbing and ventilation
  • Construction / Builder
  • Electrical engineering / Electrician, ICT technician
  • Education for adults http://www.jedu.fi/jedu-aikuiskoulutustarjonta

Musical Insitute Jokilaaksojen musiikkiopisto, office in the upper floor at Vesitie 5. Courses in Nivala are kept in the library building, the Keskustie entrance. http://www.jlmo.fi The musical institute is operating in seven localities: Haapajärvi, Haapavesi, Kärsämäki, Merijärvi, Nivala, Oulainen, Pyhäjärvi. Offering instruction in music as follows:

  • Basic level of music
  • Level of musical institute
  • Section for adults
  • Open section
  • Music instruction for children in early age

Dance institute Uusikuu, offers basic dance courses for all ages. Courses are also offered through the citizen institute Jokilatvan opisto and the musical institute Jokilaaksojen musiikkiopisto. Uusikuu’s main office is located in Pyhäsalmi, Palotie 1, in Pyhäjärvi. The dance institute operates in seven localities in the region: Haapajärvi, Kärsämäki, Nivala, Pyhäjärvi, Reisjärvi, Sievi and Ylivieska. http://www.tanssiopistouusikuu.fi

Oulu Southern Institute (Oulun Eteläisen Instituutti), the regional unit of Oulu University is located in Nivala at Pajatie 5. The purpose of the unit is to promote academic research, education and regional development within the region and to foster the growth and development of industry and commerce. http://www.oei.fi -> In English. Founded in Nivala in 2000. Oulu Southern Institute is administrated by the Kerttu Saalasti Foundation. Kerttu Saalasti was president Kyösti Kallio’s daughter who lived from 1907 until 1995. During her life time she served as a parliament member (1948-1961 and 1966-1969), a Secretary of Education (1954-1956 and 1957), and a Counselor of Education. During the years as a secretary of Education she contributed to the establishment of the University of Oulu, which was founded in 1958. http://www.oei.fi/KSS

Centre for Adult Education and Apprenticeship at the Educational Federation in the Jokilaaksot area (shortened into: JEDU), Jokilaaksojen koulutuskuntayhtymä, http://www.kam.fi/aikukam. Offices at Peltotie 9 in Nivala and Teollisuustie 2 in Haapavesi. JEDU consists of seven vocational institutes in the southern area of Northern Ostrobothnia. Review the web sites about the commencing courses, including international courses at http://www.jedu.fi/jedu-aikuiskoulutustarjonta.

Supply of courses in Finnish language and integration arranged in Finland for immigrants. (Employment and Economic Development Office.) http://www.mol.fi -> Työvoimakoulutukset and Koulutusvahti -> Ammattiala -> Maahanmuuttajakoulutukset. Courses for foreigners in the region are also provided by the JEDU.

Folk High School, Haapaveden opisto, in Haapavesi, Vanhatie 45. Immigrant education and multicultural work http://www.haapop.fi -> Maahanmuuttajakoulutus ja monikulttuurisuustyö, e.g. courses in Finnish language and culture for immigrants, education in multicultural issues, events, preparatory education for professional basic education for immigrants. Review also http://www.haapop.fi -> English.

Courses in Finnish language and Finnish language phonetics for foreigners at the citizen institute (Jokilatvan opisto) in Haapajärvi, Nivala and Pyhäjärvi. http://www.jokilatvanopisto.fi


Congregations and religious movements:

*Nivala Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, parish office at Vapaudentie 3 http://www.nivalansrk.fi Nivala parish with about 10 300 members belongs to Oulu Diocese in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. The Congregation House, Seurakuntakoti, is located at Vapaudentie 3 http://www.nivalansrk.fi/?pid=seurakuntakoti near the church where worship services are held on Sundays at 10 a.m. Information about the worship services and events at http://www.nivalansrk.fi/?pid=kirkolliset and in the local newspapapers. There are two state churches in Finland, the Evangelical Lutheran and the Finnish Orthodox. Information in English about the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland at http://www.evl.fi -> In English.

-Pietist Association, Herättäjäyhdistys, Nivala district department in the Central Ostrobothnia http://www.h-y.fi/27-keski-pohjanmaa Seuratupa, Seuratie 10.

-Laestadian Lutheran Congregation in Nivala, Nivalan Rauhanyhdistys, Kotihaantie http://www.nivalanry.fi

*Orthodox Congregation http://www.ort.fi/en -> Parishes -> Kiuruvesi. Nivala belongs to the operating area of Kiuruvesi Orthodox Parish and Oulu Diocese; the Finnish Orthodox Church belongs to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Until the middle of the twentieth century the Orthodox Church was called as the Greek-Catholic Church. The Nivala Orthodox Church is located at Karvoskylä village at Jokikyläntie 7, about 15 km from the town centre. Information about orthodox worship services and events in the area of Kiuruvesi Orthodox Parish at http://www.ort.fi/en/kiuruvesi/jumalanpalvelukset-ja-muut-tilaisuudet Information in English about the Finnish Orthodox Church at http://www.ort.fi

*Nivala Pentecostal Congregation, Nivalan Helluntaiseurakunta, Lisäkuja 1. http://www.nivalanhelluntaiseurakunta.com

*Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jehovan todistajat, Nivala local department. Congregation Hall (Valtakunnansali) in Oksava, Haapajärvi, about 19 km from Nivala.

*Nivala Free Congregation, Nivalan Vapaaseurakunta, Pidisjärventie 8. http://sites.google.com/site/nivalanvapaaseurakunta


Political division in 2009-2012 of the Town Council (35 members) in Nivala:

  • Center Party in Finland (23 members), Keskusta
  • Social Democrats (3 members), Sosiaalidemokraatit
  • Coalition Party (4 members), Kokoomus
  • Left Alliance (1 member), Vasemmistoliitto
  • Christian Democrats in Finland (2 members), Kristillisdemokraatit
  • The Finns (2 members), Perussuomalaiset