Finland Introduces New Work Permit Rules for Foreigners: Employers Must Report Hires Within 7 Days

Finland has introduced new regulations governing the employment of non-European Union (EU) nationals, placing clearer restrictions on the types of jobs foreign workers can undertake and introducing stricter reporting obligations for employers.

The amendment to Finland’s Aliens Act was signed on October 16, 2026, and came into force on October 27, 2026. It is numbered 912/2026 in the country’s legal collection and was signed by President Alexander Stubb and Minister of Labour Matias Marttinen.

The changes affect several sections of the Aliens Act (301/2004), with significant updates to Sections 81a and 82.

The new provisions are relevant to non-EU nationals already working in Finland under residence permits, people planning to seek employment in the country and businesses hiring foreign workers.

Finland Work Permit Rules: What Jobs Can Foreigners Legally Do?

Section 81a of the amended Aliens Act clarifies the types of employment foreign nationals can undertake based on the grounds under which their residence permits were granted.

Under the revised provision, the scope of permitted work depends on the specific basis for issuing a person’s residence permit.

The law also provides that a foreign national whose permit was granted on grounds other than those specified in paragraph 1 of Section 81a, or whose permit is based on Section 45(1)(3), may undertake the types of work described under Sections 73 and 74(1)(4), (5), and (8) to (10) of the Act.

This means holding a Finnish residence permit does not automatically give every foreign worker permission to take up any available job.

Applicants and existing workers must consider the conditions attached to their permits before accepting employment in a different role or sector.

The clarification makes the legal basis of a residence permit an important factor in determining the employment activities a foreign national can undertake.

Finnish Employers Must Report Foreign Workers Within 7 Days

One of the major changes introduced under Section 82 concerns employers hiring non-EU nationals and businesses bringing in posted workers from outside the European Union.

Under the amended law, employers must submit specific employment information to the Finnish Immigration Service.

The required details include:

• Duration of employment: How long the foreign worker is expected to work for the employer.
• Salary: The employee’s agreed remuneration.
• Working hours: The number of hours the employee is expected to work.
• Applicable collective agreement: The collective agreement governing the employment relationship.

Employers must submit the information no later than seven days after the foreign worker is hired or a posted worker begins carrying out their duties.

The notification must be completed electronically through the Finnish Immigration Service’s designated online portal.

However, the law provides an alternative for exceptional circumstances. Employers may use a form approved by the Immigration Service, in which case the reporting deadline is extended to 10 days.

The requirement places additional administrative responsibilities on Finnish businesses employing foreign nationals.

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Finland Extends Protection for Foreign Workers Facing Serious Exploitation

The amendment also introduces a provision addressing situations where there are reasons to suspect that a foreign worker is experiencing serious exploitation.

Under the revised law, the period during which a worker’s residence permit is protected from withdrawal is extended by three months beyond the standard timeframe established under Section 58a.

This provision offers additional protection in cases involving suspected serious exploitation.

It also forms part of the wider changes to Finland’s immigration framework, which cover employment conditions, employer responsibilities and the residence status of foreign workers.

Who Is Affected by Finland’s New Work Permit Law?

The amendment applies to non-EU nationals and employers involved in hiring foreign workers in Finland.

It is particularly relevant to:

1. Non-EU nationals currently working in Finland with residence permits.
2. Foreigners planning to apply for employment-based residence permits.
3. Employers recruiting workers from outside the European Union.
4. Businesses bringing posted workers from non-EU countries into Finland.

Foreign nationals intending to work in Finland should understand the employment conditions attached to their residence permits before accepting a job.

Employers, meanwhile, must ensure they meet the new notification requirements and submit the required employment information within the prescribed period.

The changes took effect on October 27, 2026, meaning the new rules are already in force.

Finland Previously Outlined Requirements for Foreigners Seeking Citizenship

The latest work permit changes come after Finland’s immigration authority outlined conditions that adult foreign nationals must satisfy before qualifying for citizenship.

The requirements cover areas such as language proficiency, length of residence, financial standing and criminal record.

The citizenship conditions are separate from the new Aliens Act provisions governing employment rights and employer reporting obligations.