Work permits for Finland
Requirements and applications
In general, most EU, EEA and Nordic citizens do not need to have a work permit in order to work in Finland. However, there are exceptions for citizens of some new EU members.
Obtaining a Finnish work permit is entirely your responsibility. Working illegally in Finland could lead to deportation as well as either yourself or your employer facing a fine or a prison sentence.
The Finnish authorities will make a decision about your work permit based on whether there are sufficiently qualified people already living in Finland who could take on the job you are applying for. They will also decide whether or not the skills required for the job are specialist enough to deserve a work permit.
EU/EEA citizens working in Finland
Citizens of the vast majority of EU/EEA member states do not need any special permit in order to undertake paid employment in Finland, although citizens of newer members of the EU (generally states that joined in 2004 onwards) must register with an employment office.
If the duration of employment is longer than three months, EEU/EEA citizens must only register their right to reside in Finland at a local police station. This does not mean they require a special residence or work permit.
The right to reside in Finland is valid until further notice. After five years of continuous residence in Finland, the employee is entitled to apply for permanent right of residence.
Non-EU/EEA citizens working in Finland
A ‘residence permit for an employed person’ is necessary for foreign citizens with the intention of working in Finland. The permit is generally granted for employment in a specific field, so the employee is entitled to move between jobs within the same field under the same permit.
There are some cases where foreign citizens can work in Finland without a residence permit for an employed person. This could be if the applicant has received a residence permit on humanitarian grounds, or if they are coming to work as an athlete or an artist. Fully detailed information is available on the Finnish Immigration Service website .
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Also in this section
- Introduction: The Finnish immigration system
- Short-stay visas: Visas for stays up to 3 months
- Residence permits: Who needs a residence permit for Finland?
- Students: Permits for studying in Finland
- Work permits for Finland: Requirements and applications
- Citizenship: How to get Finnish nationality