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The conditions and practices for moving to Finland vary depending on whether a person moves to Finland from an EU country or outside the EU and whether they move here to study or short-term seasonal work, for example. This page includes examples of the most typical situations.

The Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration guides integration work The Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration entered into force on 1 January 2025. The objective of the Act is to promote immigrants’ employment or entrepreneurship, co...

Current information on residence, temporary protection, work and services for people arriving in Finland from Ukraine This page contains information for those involved in integration regarding different grounds for residence permits for people arr...

A residence permit may also be granted on the basis of family ties.A person living in Finland whose family member living abroad intends to move to Finland to live with them is referred to as a “sponsor”. The sponsor may have moved to Finland to work, to study or they may have been granted asylum in Finland.

A residence permit may also be granted on the basis of family ties. A person living in Finland whose family member living abroad intends to move to Finland to live with them is referred to as a “sponsor”.

The Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration (hereinafter, the Integration Act) aims to strengthen immigrants’ employment, capacity to work and language skills, and to increase their participation in society. Another objective of the Act is to promote equality, non-discrimination and positive interaction between different population groups.

The Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration (hereinafter, the Integration Act) aims to strengthen immigrants’ employment, capacity to work and language skills, and to increase their participation in society. Another objective of the Act is to promote equality, non-discrimination and positive interaction between different population groups.

5.6.2025 | According to the government's proposal, the conditions for a permanent residence permit would be tightened, among other things, by extending the continuous period of residence required for the permit. In the future, applicants would also be required to have knowledge of Finnish or Swedish and a work history of a certain length. The legislative amendments are scheduled to enter into force on 8 January 2026.

Promotion of integration in figures Immigration of foreign citizens in 2022 • A total of 42,470 foreign citizens moved to Finland (Statistics Finland). • Work was the most common reason for the first residence permit (Finnish Immigration Service)....

Give feedback Feedback will be processed during office hours and will be replied to within 14 days. We can respond to feedback and questions only if contact details are provided on the form (email address or name and address). We adhere to the dat...

Contact information Kotoutuminen.fi online service is intended for persons who work on promoting integration and refugee reception and encounter immigrants in their work. The service is maintained by the KEHA Centre. The KEHA Centre supports perso...

Other Finnish authorities include Kela, The Finnish Immigration Service, Police and many other authorities.

17.6.2026 | The temporary protection of Ukrainians is now in its fifth year and currently set to continue until 4 March 2027. Extending the protection requires a new Council decision, which is expected in the summer.

Distribution instructions for the statutory bodies Statutory bodies – the Finnish Immigration Service, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency and Finnish missions abroad – can order the InfoFinland promotional card for distribution as a d...

4.8.2026 | The granting of temporary protection to Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s war of aggression continues. On 30 July 2026, the EU countries decided to extend temporary protection by one year. Temporary protection for Ukrainians fleeing the war will be valid until 4 March 2028.

Frequently asked questions and answers about the comprehensive reform of the Integration Act.

Immigrants in the labour market Employers may arrange services to help their employees settle in and integrate in Finland. Employers offer different kinds of services that support settlement and such services can also be purchased. Settling-in and...

Employers may arrange services to help their employees settle in and integrate in Finland. Employers offer different kinds of services that support settlement and such services can also be purchased.

Information for you who are an employer Employers face the occupational diversification of Finland, they can promote the receptiveness of society and influence what employment is like in the future. Employment and work-related immigration This sec...

Many people want to be voluntarily involved in supporting and helping asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants so that they can integrate into the new environment.

Reaching immigrants outside the labour force with municipal integration services Why should immigrants outside the labour force be targeted for services? This online resource offers a collection of operating methods for reaching those outside the ...

Refugees need support especially during the early stages of arrival Internationally protected persons can arrive in the municipality as quota refugees or through the asylum procedure from reception centres, as agreed with the Centre for Economic D...

Under the Integration Act, an unemployed immigrant or an immigrant receiving social assistance on a non-temporary basis always has the right to an integration plan. An integration plan may also be drawn up for other immigrants if they are deemed to be in need of a plan promoting integration on the basis of the initial assessment.

Unemployment benefit or social assistance may be paid to the immigrant for the duration of the integration plan. The right to unemployment benefit is determined as provided in the Unemployment Security Act and the right to social assistance as provided in the Social Assistance Act. The immigrant applies to Kela for both the labour market subsidy and social assistance.

The purpose of the Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration is to support and promote integration and make it easier for immigrants to play an active role in Finnish society.

Social welfare and health care services The Act on the promotion of immigrant integration was amended on 1.1.2025. Unfortunately, this website has not yet been updated to comply with the new integration Act (681/2023). We apologise for the inconve...

Basic information under the Integration Act The Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration sets the objective of providing immigrants with individual support for integration as soon as they arrive, at which point they have the greatest need for...

Finland supports the realisation of human rights by hosting refugees The purpose of a humanitarian immigration policy is to provide protection for those who have been forced to leave their country of origin as a result of persecution or violent co...

A large proportion of unaccompanied minors are aged between 16 and 17 when they enter the country. They may live in a family group home or supported housing unit until they reach the age of 18. At this point, the duties of the representative assigned to them will also lapse.

10.6.2026 | As basic information under the Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration, the KEHA Centre has published the InfoFinland app, which provides information on rights and obligations in Finnish society and working life. Everyone moving to Finland will receive information about the app and how to download it in the early stages of immigration.

Key concepts related to integration, the Integration Act and the reception of refugees are collected on this page. The concepts are partly based on the Integration Glossary published in 2021.

3.9.2025 | According to the 2026 budget proposal, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's government aims to remove municipalities' legislative obligations in tasks that promote integration. The budget proposal also presents other measures to promote integration.

When an unaccompanied minor or young person seeking asylum is separated from their family, relatives or other network, they will need a wide range of support in their new country of residence. In order for a child or young person living in a family group home to access services, close cooperation between the family group home, the municipality's social welfare and health services, educational services and, if necessary, child welfare authorities are required.

The agreements made on municipal placements help refugees to have a managed transition to municipalities and a smoother start to integration.

4.3.2022 | For the first time ever, the European Union (EU) has activated the Temporary Protection Directive to help people fleeing from Ukraine. The decision is expected to enter into force on 4 March or in the following days. The Government will soon decide the category of people to be granted protection in Finland. Practical arrangements and additional instructions are also under preparation.

2.3.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has appointed a cross-sectoral group to coordinate migration to Finland following Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The group includes representatives from several ministries, the Finnish Immigration Service, the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities and the Finnish Red Cross. Any developments concerning migration are closely monitored.

8.3.2024 | INSTRUCTION CARD How to recognise labour exploitation and human trafficking? Labour exploitation refers to, in its least serious form, violating the terms and conditions of em- ployment and, in its most serious form, misleading or threatening empl...

22.3.2023 | 1 (16) Initial interview of an immigrant Use this form to support an immigrant’s initial interview by the municipality. Instructions for the initial assessment and interview are available from the kotoutuminen.fi website. Type your answers to the ...

12.10.2022 | Human trafficking is a serious offence directed against a person where the offender takes advantage of the vulnerability, trust or dependency of the victim and subjects him or her to labour exploitation or sexual abuse, for example. The Centre of Expertise in Immigrant Integration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has published an instruction card to help those involved in integration and others to recognise labour exploitation and human trafficking.

2.12.2021 | The Partnership platform is an interactive, digital and communal platform for operators, experts, stakeholders and networks involved in integration, immigration and reception of refugees. The platform will open as a beta version to users on Thursday 2 December 2021. Register for the platform and join the Partnership platform community!

22.3.2023 | 1 (6) Integration plan for an immigrant not in the workforce Use this form as a support when drawing up an integration plan for an immigrant when they are not a job seeker. Check detailed instructions on preparing an integration plan from the koto...