Finland is introducing stricter rules for foreign workers. If you're an expat with a residence permit tied to your job, and you lose that job, you'll now have just three months to find new employment. Otherwise, you could lose your right to stay in the country.
This policy shift was officially announced by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on May 23, 2025, despite notable public opposition. The regulation applies specifically to those whose stay in Finland is solely based on their employment status. If no new job is found within the 3-month period, their residence permit may be revoked.
Not everyone is subject to the 3-month deadline. Highly qualified workers鈥攕uch as those holding the EU Blue Card鈥攚ill have six months to secure a new position. The same extended timeline applies to foreign residents with a work permit in Finland for over two years.
The reform doesn't just affect employees. Employers now have a legal obligation to notify the Finnish Immigration Service within 14 days of the end of an expat's employment.
However, there are exceptions. If the foreign worker was employed on a short-term contract or if they held a secondary job unrelated to their primary work permit, the employer is not required to report it.While the government admits this is a restrictive change, it argues the reform also offers something positive for foreign workers. Under the new rules, expats can switch career sectors without having to apply for a brand-new residence permit鈥攕omething that was previously required.That said, this flexibility only applies to industries facing labor shortages. The ministry has stated it will update its list of in-demand professions to reflect current market needs.According to the Finnish government, these reforms are meant to reduce unemployment and better match foreign labor to the country's workforce needs. Critics, however, worry that the opposite may happen. Rather than improving labor mobility, they fear these rules could drive skilled expats to leave Finland for more welcoming job markets.
听
Sources:
