Helsinki, Finland – May 24, 2025 – Starting June 11, 2025, Finland will enforce a new law requiring foreign workers with work-based residence permits to secure new employment within three months of losing their job, or face potential deportation. The policy, announced by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, aims to tie residence permits more closely to active employment but has sparked criticism for threatening Finland’s ability to retain skilled talent. An exception grants certain high-skilled workers a six-month job search period, affecting an estimated 50,000 foreign workers in the country.
Under the new legislation, most foreign workers holding work-based residence permits will have three months to find new employment if their job ends prematurely. Failure to secure a new position within this timeframe, without other grounds for remaining in Finland (e.g., family ties), may result in permit revocation and deportation. High-skilled workers—defined as specialists earning at least €3,827 monthly, EU Blue Card holders, intra-company transferees, top-level managers, or those with over two years of residency—will have six months to find new work.
Employers will also face new obligations, requiring them to notify the Finnish Immigration Service within 14 days of an employee’s job termination via the Enter Finland service. This ensures the Immigration Service can assess whether the permit remains valid. Additionally, the law broadens job mobility: permit holders can switch to sectors with verified labor shortages—such as healthcare, IT, and social services—without applying for a new permit, provided their current permit is still valid. A government decree will define these shortage sectors annually starting in June 2025.
The rule aligns with the EU Single Permit Directive, which mandates a minimum three-month job search period for unemployed permit holders, with a six-month period for those with over two years of residency. Similar policies exist in Sweden (three months), Denmark, and Norway (both six months). However, Finland’s adoption has faced significant opposition. During a 2024 public consultation, nearly all responses opposed the three- or six-month deadlines, citing concerns about job market realities and talent retention. Despite this, the government proceeded, using feedback to refine supporting materials rather than altering the law itself.
The Finnish Chamber of Commerce has warned that the policy could weaken Finland’s global competitiveness, especially amid record-high unemployment (269,000 projected for 2025) and longer jobless periods (average job search duration of 63 weeks, per Statistics Finland). A February 2025 OP Financial Group survey found that 13% of foreign workers considered leaving Finland due to the proposed rule, exacerbating concerns about declining interest in the country. In 2024, Finland granted 11,000 work-based permits, a 4,000 drop from 2023, with healthcare facing the deepest shortages despite IT remaining a draw for foreign talent.
The policy affects approximately 50,000 foreign workers, particularly those in sectors like healthcare, engineering, and construction, where labor shortages are acute. Critics argue the three-month deadline is unrealistic given Finland’s challenging job market, especially for non-Finnish speakers or those with foreign qualifications requiring local recognition. The rule may disproportionately impact lower-skilled workers, while the six-month exception for high-skilled professionals offers some relief.
On X, reactions reflect concern. @DailyFinland and @Ofiul noted the policy’s start date, warning of its implications, while @CheTweetZ highlighted the risk of deportation for those unable to secure jobs quickly. @lammijohn700 emphasized the varying deadlines based on permit type, underscoring the policy’s complexity.
Proponents, including then-Minister of Employment Arto Satonen, argue the rule clarifies permit conditions and strengthens oversight, providing workers with a defined job search period rather than immediate cancellation. However, critics, including business leaders, warn it could deter international talent, critical for addressing Finland’s aging workforce and labor shortages in 33 occupations, per a 2023 EURES report. The policy may also strain Finland’s reputation as a welcoming destination, despite benefits like free education and healthcare for permit holders’ families.
As June 2025 approaches, foreign workers and employers must prepare for stricter compliance. The Finnish Immigration Service’s website (migri.fi) and Enter Finland (enterfinland.fi) offer guidance on permit rules and notifications. With labor shortages and economic pressures at play, the policy’s success will hinge on balancing immigration control with Finland’s need for global talent.
