Finland Sets 3-Month Job Search Limit for Foreign Workers Starting June 2025

Beginning in June 2025, Finland will enforce a significant change for foreign workers holding residence permits. Those who lose their jobs must find new employment within three months or risk losing their residency. High-skilled professionals will have a little more time, with a six-month limit. This policy has raised concerns about Finland’s ability to attract foreign talent.

Finland’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment announced this new rule as part of its alignment with EU employment directives. It is estimated that around 50,000 foreign workers currently in Finland will be affected by this change.

Previous Rule: No Clear Deadline

Previously, Finland did not impose a strict deadline for foreign workers to secure new jobs after losing employment. Workers could remain in the country while searching for jobs, as long as they adhered to the terms of their residence permits. This lack of a formal timeline provided flexibility, especially in industries with lengthy hiring processes.

Who Is Exempt from the 3-Month Deadline?

Not all foreign workers are subject to the three-month limit. Certain categories will receive a six-month job search period:

• Specialists and highly skilled professionals
• EU Blue Card holders
• Intra-company transferees
• Top-level managers
• Foreigners who have resided in Finland for over two years on a work permit

This exemption aims to retain high-skilled talent and those already integrated into the Finnish labor market.

New Reporting Duties for Employers

Alongside the new job search deadline, employers will face stricter obligations. If a foreign worker’s employment ends, companies must notify the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) within 14 days. This requirement is part of broader efforts to enhance labor market transparency and control migration.

Growing Concerns Among Foreign Residents

These upcoming changes have sparked anxiety among foreign residents. A survey by OP Financial Group revealed that 13% of respondents would consider leaving Finland if the three-month rule is implemented. Many worry that the short timeline may not allow enough time to secure new positions, especially in sectors with lengthy recruitment cycles.

Declining Immigration to Finland

This announcement coincides with a decline in work-based immigration to Finland. In 2024, the country issued 11,000 work residence permits, down from 15,000 in 2023. While the IT sector still attracts foreign talent, the healthcare sector has significantly dropped, raising concerns about labor shortages in essential public services.

Balancing Competitiveness and Control

Critics argue that this policy may deter foreign talent, while Finnish authorities maintain that it will streamline immigration control and align national laws with EU standards. However, with existing labor shortages in healthcare and a decline in immigration, experts caution that Finland must balance enforcement with talent retention.

Conclusion

Finland’s new job search rule represents a major shift in managing its foreign workforce. With a strict three-month deadline starting June 2025, foreign workers must prepare for quicker job transitions. While the policy aims to enhance migration control, its long-term effects on Finland’s appeal to skilled migrants remain uncertain.