Finland Tightens Work Permit Rules for Non-EU Nationals

On October 16, 2026, Finland passed an amendment to its Aliens Act, numbered 912/2026, which took effect on October 27, 2026. The law, signed by President Alexander Stubb and Minister of Labour Matias Marttinen, introduces stricter rules regarding work permits for non-EU nationals.

Key changes include modifications to Sections 81a and 82 of the Aliens Act (301/2004). The amendment specifies that the type of work a foreign national can perform is directly linked to the basis of their residence permit.

Employers hiring non-EU nationals must now submit employee details to the Finnish Immigration Service within seven days of employment, including information on duration, salary, working hours, and applicable collective agreements. In exceptional cases, this can be extended to ten days.

Additionally, if there are suspicions of serious exploitation of a foreign worker, the protection period for their residence permit is extended by three months beyond the standard timeframe.