Recent immigration updates impact residence permit requirements in Finland. The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) have confirmed new income thresholds and updated processing fees applicable to residence permit applications as of 1 January 2026. In particular, salary requirements for the Specialist and EU Blue Card permits have increased, alongside higher application fees for a number of permit categories. In addition, Finnish Brexit permit holders are reminded to check the validity of their Brexit permits that are expiring in 2026 and to ensure renewals are submitted on time with Migri.
Employers should ensure compliance with the revised salary thresholds and proactively assist affected employees with permit renewals to prevent delays or potential compliance issues.
Salary thresholds for residence permit applications are revised annually by the Finnish Immigration Service. These income thresholds are strict and items such as per diems and benefits-in-kind are not taken into account when assessing whether the salary requirement is met. The salary thresholds for 2026 have now been confirmed as follows:
In addition, the general minimum income requirement will remain at EUR 1,600 per month in 2026, unless a collective agreement guarantees a higher salary. This requirement applies, for example, to residence permits for employed persons under the TTOL category.
Several processing fees of the Finnish Immigration Service increased as of 1 January 2026. Key changes include:
While paper applications remain available, online applications are more cost effective and are processed more quickly and are therefore strongly recommended.
Following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU in 2020, British citizens who were residing in Finland were required to apply for a right of residence under the Withdrawal Agreement, commonly referred to as a “Brexit permit”. The application period for this right of residence ended on 30 September 2021. Brexit residence permits were in Finland issued in the form of residence permit cards, which are generally valid for five years. As a card approaches expiry, the holder must either renew the existing permit card or apply for a permanent Brexit residence permit, depending on the reference details stated on the permit in order to continue to reside and work in Finland. The following permit application types are considered Brexit residence permits:
Brexit residence permits are not available to individuals currently relocating to Finland. Therefore, UK nationals relocating to Finland for the first time now must qualify for and apply under a standard residence permit category (e.g. Specialist, EU Blue Card, or employed person/TTOL). The appropriate permit category must be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account individual circumstances such as salary level, educational background and job role.
Employers should take these updates into account when planning international hires, assignments, and permit renewals. Key considerations include ensuring salaries meet the revised thresholds for Specialist and EU Blue Card permits, budgeting for higher processing fees, and allowing sufficient time for application processing.
British nationals with a Brexit permit in Finland should review the validity of their current Brexit residence permit cards and determine whether a renewal or a permanent Brexit residence permit application is required in 2026.
Organisations employing or planning to hire British nationals should ensure that the individual either has a valid permit or is able to obtain an appropriate residence permit before the start of the employment. Brexit residence permits are no longer available to individuals relocating to Finland for the first time, which means that any new international hires from
the UK to Finland will need to obtain a residence permit to relocate to Finland for work. Early planning, including understanding the immigration requirements and preparing the required documentation, is key to ensuring a smooth relocation and residence permit process, and helps prevent delays or postponed start dates.
In addition, it is important for employers to remember that following Brexit, British nationals need to have either a Brexit permit or a residence permit to have a legal right to work in Finland regardless of the duration of the work. Therefore, employers need to ensure that British nationals either qualify for one of the available exemptions or obtain a residence permit if sent to Finland to perform work that goes beyond permissible business trip activities.
Vialto can support with immigration assessments, application planning, and end-to-end residence permit filings.
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Jenni Merta
Senior Manager
Lena Nymark-Akerele
Director
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