Finland Increases Minimum Income Requirement for Employed Person Residence Permit – Effective 2025

🔹What’s Changed?

Starting 2025, foreign workers applying for a residence permit for an employed person in Finland must now earn at least €1,600 per month. This is an increase from the previous threshold of €1,399/month.

💼 Why the Change?

The Finnish government raised the minimum to:

• Ensure that foreign workers earn enough to cover living expenses in Finland.
• Reduce the risk of foreign workers becoming dependent on public social assistance.

This new €1,600 minimum applies even if the collective labour agreement in a specific field allows for lower pay.

👉Note: Employers can still pay part of this salary (up to 50%) in fringe benefits (like housing or a company car), but the total value must meet €1,600/month.

📆 Timeline

• 🟢 First-time residence permit applications: New rule applies from 2025.
• 🔄Extended residence permit applications: New rule applies from April 2025.

  💰 Updated Processing Fees (Effective 2025)

• Permanent Residence Permit (online): €240 (was €220)
• Permanent Residence Permit (paper): €350 (was €270)
• Temporary Protection Card (online): €20
• Temporary Protection Card (paper): €40
  Old fees apply to applications submitted by 31 December 2024.

 🎓 How the New Income Requirement Affects International Students in Finland (2025)

✅ No Impact on Student Residence Permits

• International students coming to Finland (e.g., September 2025 intake) are not affected by the €1,600/month income requirement when applying for a student residence permit.
• You still need to show you can cover your living expenses (currently around €560/month or €6,720/year, as per Migri guidelines), but this is separate from the work permit rules.

🚫 Major Impact After Graduation

If you’re planning to stay and work in Finland after your studies, here’s what changes:

🔹 1. Higher Salary Required for Work-Based Residence Permits

• Previously: You needed a job paying at least €1,399/month.
• Now: From April 2025, you need a job offer of at least €1,600/month (even if the sector’s collective agreement allows less).

  🔹 2. Limited Job Options

• Part-time, freelance, or low-paying jobs won’t qualify you for a work-based residence permit anymore.
• You’ll need full-time employment at or above €1,600/month to stay after graduation.

🔹 3. More Financial Planning Needed

• The higher income threshold means students must be more strategic about their career planning, internships, and job searches while studying.
• It may be harder for new graduates in lower-paying fields to qualify for the permit.

 🔹 4. Application Fee Increase

• Starting in 2025, residence permit fees are increasing:
  • Permanent residence permit (online): €240 (up from €220)
  • Paper applications: €350 (up from €270)