Finland’s migration policy is undergoing a major transformation. Starting from January 8, 2026, the conditions for obtaining a permanent residence permit will change. New obstacles are now being added for foreigners. These changes relate not only to the length of stay, but also to language skills, work experience and income.
Key changes in legislation
The key innovation is to increase the minimum period of stay from four to six years. According to the Finnish Ministry of Internal Affairs, applicants must have continuous type A residence (long stay) and stay in the country for at least half of the stated period.
The new provisions of the law also establish strict language standards.:
- B1 – for most applicants.
- A2 – for graduates of Finnish universities.
- C1 – reduces the required period to 4 years.
- Exemption is for people over 65 years of age or with medical contraindications.
You can confirm your knowledge through:
- YKI exams (levels 2-5).
- University courses.
- Diplomas from Finnish educational institutions.
The applicant must have worked for at least 2 years in Finland with a full-time job or business organization. Receiving unemployment benefits or social security benefits for more than 3 months may be grounds for refusal. However, despite the envisaged tightening, it remains possible to obtain permanent residence after 4 years if one of the conditions is met.:
- High income level: from 40,000 euros per year.
- Education: Master’s degree plus two years of work experience.
- Language: C1 level plus 3 years of work experience.
| Criterion | The standard path | Accelerated path |
| Length of stay | 6 years | 4 years |
| Language requirement | B1 | C1 or A2 for for graduates |
| Work experience | 2 years | 2-3 years depending on the category |
| Revenue | StabStable | 40,000€/year |
Consequences for different categories of migrants
The new rules will particularly affect:
- People with a low level of Finnish/Swedish.
- Employees with unstable work history.
- Applicants who have received social benefits for a long time.
However, there are some who have benefited from the changes. The advantages will be given to:
- Highly qualified specialists with incomes above 40,000 euros.
- Graduates of Finnish universities.
- Persons with advanced language proficiency (level C1).
All applications submitted before January 8, 2026, will be considered in accordance with the current legislation. This creates a time window for those who plan to apply for permanent residence. If the applicant had a criminal record with a prison sentence, the period of stay begins anew after serving the sentence. For less serious crimes, a two-year waiting period is introduced.
According to experts, the long-term consequences of the tightening may negatively affect Finland’s competitiveness in the competition for international talent. The country risks losing its attractiveness for qualified specialists in the context of demographic aging of the population.
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Do you need help getting a Finnish residence permit? If you want to apply for permanent residence before the new rules come into force, now is the time. Our migration lawyers will help you understand the requirements and process the documents in accordance with the current legislation. Leave a request for a consultation. We will provide professional support at all stages of obtaining a Finnish residence permit.
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