Finland’s New Notification Rule and Job‑Seeking Deadline

As of June 11, 2025, Finland has introduced a binding legal requirement: employers must notify the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) within 14 days of the premature end of employment for any foreign national holding a work‑based residence permit. The report must be submitted via the Enter Finland e-service, ensuring quicker and more reliable oversight of non-EU workers.

If employers neglect this obligation, they face fines and other sanctions, enforced by the police . Notably, the rule excludes casual or temporary second jobs that supplement the primary contracted position

New Job‑Seeking Deadline for Foreign Workers

Three‑Month Rule for Most Permit Holders

Following job loss, most foreign nationals with a work-based residence permit now have three months to secure new employment. If they fail to do so and lack other grounds to reside in Finland, their permit may be revoked.

Finnish guidance confirms that although Migri may begin cancellation proceedings after unemployment, they won’t do so within the protection period, allowing job‑seeking time without immediate expulsion.

Extended Six‑Month Period for Select Professionals

A six‑month job-seeking period is granted to select groups:

🔸Specialists (including EU Blue Card holders),

🔸Those with work permits in Finland for over two years,

🔸Middle and top corporate management, and

🔸Intra‑company transferees (specialists or managers)

This aligns Finland’s policy with EU Single Permit rules mandating three- and six-month grace periods.

Broader Rights to Seek Employment in Labour Shortage Sectors

Under the updated rules, foreign workers may switch employers or sectors without applying for a new residence permit—provided the job is in a nationally approved labour shortage field.

A government decree scheduled for early June 2025 will identify the initial labour shortage sectors—likely covering healthcare, social services, manufacturing, and others . The Ministry of Economic Affairs, KEHA Centre, and regional ELY Centres will regularly update these listings to address current labour needs.

This flexibility empowers foreign workers to transition more smoothly instead of being restricted to the original permit field.

Why These Rules Were Introduced

The changes aim to:

🔸Strengthen the link between employment and work-based residence permits, ensuring residency is aligned with active work under permit terms.

🔸Systematize supervision, by legally obliging employer reporting and formalizing the job-seeking grace period.

🔸Expand work rights to include national labour shortage sectors under the same permit.

Critics argue the accelerated timelines might discourage foreign talent or result in losing much-needed workers during challenging job searches.

Conclusion

As of June 11, 2025, Finland’s revised regulations

🔸Legally require employers to report end-of-employment notifications,

🔸Enforce a three- or six-month job‑seeking deadline for foreign workers,

🔸And allow greater mobility within labour shortage jobs.

These changes are part of efforts to align work permits with actual employment while tackling labour market needs. However, they also pose challenges and anxieties among foreign professionals. How Finland balances enforcement with support will shape its future competitiveness in attracting international talent.

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