Finland: Siltanews – News Desk
Starting next year, foreign workers who want to obtain residence permits in Finland must earn a certain amount of income on a monthly basis. The measure will mainly affect skilled workers and the level of the income limit is determined by a government decree.
The Finnish government has decided that only foreigners who earn at least €1,600 per month will be eligible to obtain residence permits through employment. The income threshold will become effective on January 1, 2025, mainly affecting skilled workers from third countries.
According to a press release by the Finnish Ministry for Economic Affairs and Employment, the income limit applies only to primary employment and other income is not included.
All employees in sectors or groups of experts for which no separate residence permit exists apply for a residence permit for an employed person. Typically, these people are skilled workers. Income Threshold Aims to Ensure That Foreigners in Finland Can Be Able to Support Themselves Financially.
As the Ministry pointed out, this measure aims to ensure that the people coming to work in Finland get paid an amount that is sufficient for them to support themselves.
The proposal also supports the government’s objective of increasing the number of full-time workers in Finland. According to a report by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the income limit of €1,600 has a minor impact on the availability of labour nationally.
We may derogate from the income thresholds on a case-by-case basis. Making an exception to the income requirement is possible if there are exceptionally weighty reasons or if a derogation is in the best interest of a child. In addition, the authorities have pointed out that income can vary depending on the location, with those who live in Helsinki having higher income requirements than those in other municipalities that are less populated.
Certain categories are excluded from the income threshold, such as those who were granted a residence permit based on compassionate grounds, in addition to asylum seekers, quota refugees and family members of Finnish citizens or former Finnish citizens.