Moving to Finland

Requires a job in Finland. Your salary must at least match the collective agreement that applies to your employment, and your total gross salary must also be at least EUR 1,600 per month in 2026, not counting supplements such as evening or night work supplements; the income may come from several employment relationships, and for part-time work Migri assesses working hours x hourly wage x 4.3. The EUR 1,600 limit also applies to extended permits, and Migri reviews the minimum salary every year. Migri's 2026 fee table lists this permit (EUR 750 electronic / EUR 950 paper for a first permit) apart from the permits it marks "no labour market testing". Naturalisation normally needs 8 years' residence in Finland (Citizenship Act 13 §, in force since 1 October 2024), or 5 years for an applicant who meets the language requirement and has fixed ties to Finland through lawful long-term residence (18 a §); the residence period runs from the first continuous (A) permit, and half of earlier time on a temporary (B) permit counts if the last year before the decision was on an A permit (14 §, 15 §). The pages cited here do not state the permanent-residence qualifying period; check Migri's permanent residence page before relying on one.

For work in expert duties that require special expertise, with confirmed employment before you apply. Gross salary at least EUR 3,937/month in 2026; fringe benefits and daily allowances do not count, and Migri reviews the figure every year. As a rule you need a higher education degree; otherwise the special expertise must come from work experience or other education, and your employer must verify it. Migri's 2026 fee table lists it among the first permits with "no labour market testing". A first permit is granted for up to 2 years, or for the length of the employment if shorter. Fee EUR 530 electronic / EUR 630 paper for a first permit; through the fast-track service the permit can be issued in two weeks. Naturalisation normally needs 8 years' residence in Finland (Citizenship Act 13 §, in force since 1 October 2024), or 5 years for an applicant who meets the language requirement and has fixed ties to Finland through lawful long-term residence (18 a §); the residence period runs from the first continuous (A) permit, and half of earlier time on a temporary (B) permit counts if the last year before the decision was on an A permit (14 §, 15 §). The pages cited here do not state the permanent-residence qualifying period; check Migri's permanent residence page before relying on one.

Gross salary at least EUR 3,937/month in 2026 (fringe benefits excluded). Requires higher professional qualifications: a higher education degree that takes at least three years to complete, or usually at least five years of professional experience at a comparable level, plus confirmed employment of at least six months in expert tasks. Valid for a maximum of 2 years; if the work lasts less than 2 years, for the employment plus three months. Fee EUR 530 electronic / EUR 630 paper for a first permit; through the fast-track service the permit can be issued in two weeks. A Finnish EU Blue Card gives the right to work only in Finland, but lets you move to a second EU Member State and return to Finland if that state does not grant you one. Naturalisation normally needs 8 years' residence in Finland (Citizenship Act 13 §, in force since 1 October 2024), or 5 years for an applicant who meets the language requirement and has fixed ties to Finland through lawful long-term residence (18 a §); the residence period runs from the first continuous (A) permit, and half of earlier time on a temporary (B) permit counts if the last year before the decision was on an A permit (14 §, 15 §). The pages cited here do not state the permanent-residence qualifying period; check Migri's permanent residence page before relying on one.

A positive Eligibility Statement from Business Finland, no more than 4 months old when you submit, must be obtained before applying to Migri. Start-up entrepreneurship must be your main activity, though other work is allowed. Net income of at least EUR 1,210/month in the Helsinki metropolitan area, EUR 1,090 in other large municipalities, or EUR 1,030 elsewhere (2026), in your own bank account, for at least one year (two years for a two-year first permit). First permit up to 2 years; an extended permit up to 4 years. Fee EUR 650 electronic / EUR 800 paper. Through the fast-track service the permit can be issued in two weeks. This is separate from the ordinary entrepreneur permit, for which an Economic Development Centre assesses whether the business is profitable, and which costs EUR 750 electronic. Naturalisation normally needs 8 years' residence in Finland (Citizenship Act 13 §, in force since 1 October 2024), or 5 years for an applicant who meets the language requirement and has fixed ties to Finland through lawful long-term residence (18 a §); the residence period runs from the first continuous (A) permit, and half of earlier time on a temporary (B) permit counts if the last year before the decision was on an A permit (14 §, 15 §). The pages cited here do not state the permanent-residence qualifying period; check Migri's permanent residence page before relying on one.

Requires a study place at a Finnish educational institution, in studies leading to a degree or vocational qualification or as an exchange student, and at least EUR 800/month at your disposal (EUR 9,600 in your bank account for a first year of studies). Fee EUR 600 electronic / EUR 750 paper. Students pursuing a higher education degree receive a continuous (A) permit; students pursuing any other degree or qualification, and exchange students, receive a temporary (B) permit. Work permitted at an average of 30 hours per week over the year. Migri lists a separate application for students and researchers, the residence permit to look for work; its length and funds requirement are not stated on the page cited here. Naturalisation normally needs 8 years' residence in Finland (Citizenship Act 13 §, in force since 1 October 2024), or 5 years for an applicant who meets the language requirement and has fixed ties to Finland through lawful long-term residence (18 a §); the residence period runs from the first continuous (A) permit, and half of earlier time on a temporary (B) permit counts if the last year before the decision was on an A permit (14 §, 15 §). The pages cited here do not state the permanent-residence qualifying period; check Migri's permanent residence page before relying on one.

Usually the family member must have sufficient financial resources ('secure means of support'). The threshold depends on how many people live in the household and on where you live (Helsinki metropolitan area, other large municipalities, other municipalities), and Migri may derogate case by case where there are exceptionally weighty reasons or it is in a child's best interest. A Finnish citizen's spouse, child under 18, or a child's parent or guardian with custody need not meet it, and in some cases neither do family members of a person granted international protection. Naturalisation normally needs 8 years' residence in Finland (Citizenship Act 13 §); a Finnish citizen's spouse can be naturalised after 5 years' residence where the spouses have lived together for at least 3 years (22 §). The pages cited here do not state the permanent-residence qualifying period; check Migri's permanent residence page before relying on one.