Work permits

Finland Jobs for Foreigners 2026: Employed Person Permit Guide

How Finland jobs for foreigners work for non-EU applicants: the employed person residence permit, the 2026 income rule, the employer’s part and seasonal work.

EU Job Hub Editorial Team · Updated 1 October 2026

Introduction

Finland jobs for foreigners from outside the EU usually start with a job offer. The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) says you must have confirmed employment before you apply for the main work permit. That permit is called the residence permit for an employed person. Migri abbreviates it as TTOL.

This guide explains the steps in plain language. It uses Migri’s own pages. It does not quote fees or processing times, because those change. Check them on the official site before you apply.

Who Needs a Residence Permit

Citizens of EU and EEA countries have their own registration rules. This guide is for people who need a permit to work. Migri lists one exception. There is a limited number of occupations in which you can work for up to 90 days without a residence permit. Migri publishes the list on its website. Check it if your job is short.

Migri also points out that not every job fits the employed person permit. Some jobs have their own application. Seasonal work in agriculture or tourism has a separate seasonal work permit. The right form depends on your job, so choose the permit first.

What the Employed Person Permit Is For

The permit is granted for the field of employment your job belongs to. It is not a general permit to take any job. Migri lists common job titles among applicants. They include farm worker, gardener, construction worker, welder, plasterer, insulation worker, cleaner, cook, lorry driver, care assistant and domestic worker.

A few points are worth knowing:

• You must be hired by a Finnish employer or another employer operating in Finland.
• The permit is not granted to so-called light entrepreneurs who work through an invoicing service company.
• The permit may be subject to labour market testing.

The Main Requirements

Migri lists the requirements in a simple checklist. You need a valid passport. You must not have an entry ban. You must not be a danger to public order, public security, public health or Finland’s international relations. You also need a job in Finland and a sufficient salary. Your employer must meet certain requirements too.

Your qualifications must fit the job. The employer must check that you have the professional skills the work needs. They record this in the terms of employment. Some professions need extra approval. Health care professionals, for example, need permission to practise from the national supervisory authority for welfare and health.

The 2026 Income Requirement

Your salary must be at least the minimum set in the collective agreement for your sector. If there is no collective agreement, or you work part-time, your total gross salary must be at least EUR 1,600 per month in 2026. You may earn this from several employment relationships.

The salary must also be enough to support you for the whole time the permit is valid. Migri wants fair and appropriate terms of employment. If no collective agreement exists, the terms must match those applied to employees doing similar work.

The Labour Market Test

A permit may be subject to labour market testing. The employer must then check whether suitable workers are available within a reasonable time in Finland or elsewhere in the EU and EEA. You cannot do this step yourself. Ask the employer whether it applies to your job and whether they have started it.

What the Employer Must Do

The employer has a large part in your application. They must fill in and submit your terms of employment. They can do it online in Enter Finland or on a paper form. They must also confirm that they have met and continue to meet their employer obligations.

The agreed terms must follow the law and the applicable collective agreement. This protects you. Before you accept an offer, ask for the contract in writing and compare it with the salary rule above.

How to Apply Step by Step

1. Confirm that the employed person permit is the right permit for your job.
2. Get a job offer and ask your employer to submit the terms of employment.
3. Check your passport and qualifications.
4. Apply online in Enter Finland, or use the paper form at a Finnish mission abroad.
5. Pay the processing fee when you submit. Migri does not start processing before payment.
6. Wait for the decision and do not travel to work until the permit is granted.

Migri warns that incomplete information delays processing and may lead to rejection. Fill in the form carefully and sign it.

Seasonal Work

Migri defines seasonal work as work in agriculture or tourism that is done only during certain seasons. The maximum duration is 9 months within a 12-month period. Seasonal workers use the seasonal work permit, not the employed person permit.

How to Search for Jobs Safely

Use public sources first. The EURES portal lists vacancies across Europe. Employer career pages are another good source. A genuine employer will describe the role, the pay basis and the location. It will also accept that you need a written offer for the permit.

Be careful with anyone who asks for money to secure a job or a permit. Migri’s process has an official fee, and you pay it to the authority when you submit your application. A recruiter’s promise does not replace that process.

Common Reasons for a Negative Decision

Migri states that a negative decision always comes down to one thing. Either the applicant, the employer or the employment relationship does not meet the permit requirements. You can reduce the risk by checking each item before you submit.

• Is the salary at or above the collective agreement minimum or EUR 1,600 gross?
• Has the employer submitted the terms of employment?
• Do your qualifications match the job?
• Is your passport valid for the whole period?

Sources to Check

Use official platforms and national authorities to verify current rules before applying or travelling.

• Finnish Immigration Service — Residence permit for an employed person
• Finnish Immigration Service — Work-based residence permits
• EURES — Find a job

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Disclaimer: EU Job Hub provides general editorial information for jobseekers. It does not guarantee employment, sponsorship, work-permit approval or visa approval. Employment and immigration rules vary by country and by personal circumstances. Verify important information with employers and official authorities before making decisions. Never pay an individual or recruiter solely because they promise a job, placement or visa.