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Finland Proposes Changes to Residence Permit Rules to Combat Labour Exploitation

🇫🇮 FinlandWork Permits1 recorded versionLast change 27 Aug 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

The government proposes several changes. 1. Migri could suspend residence-permit issuance to an employer Under the proposal, Migri would have greater ability to refrain from issuing residence permits connected to an employer where labour exploitation is suspected. The Finnish Immigration Service could suspend the issuance of residence permits to a company for a specified period. This is an important shift because the immigration system could be used to prevent an exploitative employer from recruiting additional foreign workers. 2. Recruitment fees could prevent a residence permit from being issued The proposal would establish that a residence permit should not be issued where the employer has charged the employee a fee for entering into the employment relationship. This targets recruitment practices in which migrant workers are effectively charged for obtaining employment. 3. Seasonal Workers Act would be amended The proposal also contains technical amendments to the Seasonal Workers Act. These amendments are connected to an infringement procedure initiated by the European Commission. 4. The legislation is not yet effective This is crucial. The government is proposing these changes; it has not yet enacted them. The proposal is scheduled to go to Parliament during the autumn 2026 session, with the government currently anticipating entry into force in March 2027.

Overview

The Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has launched a public consultation regarding proposed changes to residence permit rules, intended to strengthen efforts against labour exploitation. The legislative proposal would allow the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) to suspend residence permit issuance to employers suspected of exploitation and prevent permits from being granted if an employer has charged recruitment fees to an employee. These measures are expected to come into force in March 2027.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • Foreign nationals applying for Finnish work-based residence permits
  • Foreign workers recruited by Finnish employers
  • Employers recruiting foreign workers
  • Employers suspected of labour exploitation
  • Recruitment companies and intermediaries involved in international recruitment
  • Seasonal workers and employers covered by the Seasonal Workers Act
  • Finnish Immigration Service (Migri)
  • Foreign workers entering Finland through employer-sponsored immigration

What changed in the latest version

Before

Finland already has ways to stop people being exploited at work and to protect foreign workers. This is part of the current system. However, the government believes the current residence permit system is not enough. It cannot deal proactively with employers suspected of exploiting foreign workers. So, the proposed law wants to link an employer's actions more closely to their ability to hire foreign workers using the residence permit system. These proposed powers have not started yet. Therefore, foreign workers still apply under the current residence permit rules. This will continue until any new law is passed and starts.

After

The government proposes several changes. 1. The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) could stop issuing residence permits to an employer. Under this proposal, Migri would have a greater power. It could choose not to issue residence permits connected to an employer if it suspects labour exploitation. Labour exploitation means treating workers unfairly or using them for profit. Migri could stop issuing residence permits to a company for a set time. This is an important change. It means the immigration system could be used to stop an employer who exploits workers from hiring more foreign staff. 2. Fees for recruitment could stop a residence permit from being issued. This proposal would state that a residence permit should not be issued. This applies if the employer has charged the worker a fee to start the job. This aims to stop recruitment practices where migrant workers effectively pay money to get a job. 3. The Seasonal Workers Act would be changed. The proposal also contains small technical changes to the Seasonal Workers Act. These changes relate to a process started by the European Commission. This process is called an infringement procedure. It happens when a country might not be following EU law. 4. The law has not started yet. This is very important. The government is proposing these changes. It has not made them law yet. The proposal is expected to go to Parliament during the autumn 2026 session. The government currently expects it to start in March 2027.

This proposal directly affects how people move to Finland for work. The main change is this: the immigration system would give more responsibility to employers. It would also give the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) stronger tools. Migri could stop employers linked to labour exploitation from using the immigration system to hire more foreign workers. This is especially important for migrant workers. Exploitation related to recruitment can happen even before a person arrives in Finland. Under this proposal, an employer who charges a foreign worker a fee to start a job could cause that worker's residence permit application to be refused. So, the proposal tries to use the residence permit system to prevent exploitative recruitment practices. It aims to do this before workers arrive, rather than dealing with exploitation only after it has happened. This is also important for honest employers. They would face more checks if there are signs that they are exploiting foreign workers.

Explained simply

Imagine you're trying to get a job in Finland. The government wants to make sure that bosses treat people fairly and don't take advantage of them. So, they're planning new rules: if a boss is caught treating workers badly, or making them pay to get the job, the government can stop that boss from hiring people from other countries. This is like a referee giving a foul to a team that cheats, making sure everyone plays by the rules.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v1Issued 4 Aug 2026ConsultationHigh impact
    Finland Proposes Changes to Residence Permit Rules to Combat Labour Exploitation

    Finland is proposing to change its residence permit rules. These changes aim to stop people from being exploited at work. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has asked for comments on these proposals by 27 August 2026. The new rules should start in March 2027. They would make it simpler for the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) to refuse or stop residence permits for employers suspected of exploiting workers. Also, a residence permit would not be issued if an employer has charged a worker a fee to get a job. The plan also includes small changes to the Seasonal Workers Act.

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