The Finnish government has announced plans to tighten the requirements for individuals applying for permanent residence permits and the changes are expected to take effect on 8 January 2026.
Published: 05/06/25 | 17:24
The proposed adjustments include extending the minimum residency period, introducing language requirements in Finnish or Swedish and requiring a certain level of employment history in Finland.
On Thursday, the government submitted the proposed legislation to Parliament for consideration.
“Successful integration will become a key condition for granting a permanent residence permit. One of the goals outlined in the government programme is to motivate immigrants to follow the laws of Finnish society, participate in the workforce and learn the language,” said Interior Minister Mari Rantanen (Finns Party) in a press statement.
Under the new proposal the current four-year residency requirement would be extended to six years. However, certain applicants could still qualify for permanent residency after four years if they meet specific criteria.
To be eligible after four years of residency applicants would need to fulfill at least one of the following conditions:
- Earn a minimum annual income of 40,000 euros
- Possess a master’s degree or higher that is officially recognized in Finland and have at least two years of work experience in the country
- Demonstrate high-level skills in Finnish or Swedish and have three years of work experience
Additionally, for those meeting the work experience requirement, they must not have received unemployment benefits or social assistance for more than three months.
The government outlined several other terms included in the legislative proposal in its press release.
The law changes are expected to come into force on 8 January 2026 according to the government’s timeline.
