The Finnish immigration authorities (Maahanmuuttovirasto) have updated salary threshold requirements for Specialist1 and EU Blue Card2 permit application types for the year 2025. The salary thresholds were increased from the previous year for both permit types. Additionally, a new salary thereshold has been added to the residence permit for an employed person as of 1 January 20253.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The new amendments to the salary levels for Specialist and EU Blue Card permits will need to be considered when applying for the first residence permit or for an extension to help assure the employee’s eligibility for the permits. If the salary offered to the (prospective) employee does not meet the requirements, a residence permit for an employed person should be applied for, instead of the Specialist or EU Blue Card permits.
A residence permit for an employed person may be subject to labour market testing, which means that the employer must establish if there is available labour force within a reasonable timeframe in Finland or within the EU/EEA for the work in question4.
Key Changes Explained
The salary threshold for the Specialist and EU Blue card permit types for 2024 was set at EUR 3,638 per month. For 2025, the threshold has been increased to EUR 3,827 per month. Fringe benefits are not counted towards this sum. This adjustment aligns with the average gross salary of wage earners in Finland in 2025.
In addition to the salary threshold, the previous requirements for both permit types remain the same. For the Specialist permit, a higher education degree or otherwise acquired special expertise through work experience or another type of education is necessary. For the EU Blue Card permit, the requirements are a minimum six-month employment relationship and higher education qualifications, usually substantiated by a higher education degree that takes at least three years to complete, or at least five years of professional experience.
Previously, a residence permit for an employed person can be granted if the applicant's salary complies with the applicable collective agreement or if it meets the income requirement of EUR 1,399 per month. After the changes to the Aliens Act enter into force in the beginning of January, the salary must still be at least the minimum specified in the applicable collective agreement. If there is no collective agreement or work is part-time, the new minimum income limit is EUR 1,600.
KPMG INSIGHTS
Going forward, it is important to review who may be affected for future extension applications, as a salary below the required level may lead to the employee not being granted the applied-for residence permit type and thus delay the whole application process considerably, as it would require a change in the applied permit type.
If one applies for an EU Blue Card or Specialist permit, but the salary does not meet the requirement, the application is then going to be processed under "residence permit for an employed person," which has much higher processing times, which could end up delaying the extension process.
Employers must also assess the employee for whom an application will be made to make sure, where applicable, the employment relationship and the educational and experience levels of the candidate meet the conditions, as stipulated above.
The KPMG International member firm in Finland will continue to monitor the legislative changes and will endeavour to inform readers of GMS Flash Alert of any important developments.
For additional guidance and assistance, it is advisable to reach out to your usual global-mobility professional or immigration counsel or a member of the global-mobility team with KPMG in Finland (see the Contacts section).
Footnotes:
1 See Maahanmuuttovirasto, (in English) “Residence permit application for persons employed as a specialist” (also available in Swedish and Finnish at this link).
2 See Maahanmuuttovirasto, (in English) “Residence permit application for persons applying for an EU Blue Card” (also available in Swedish and Finnish at this link).
3 See Maahanmuuttovirasto, (in English) “New minimum income limit of 1,600 euros for the residence permit for an employed person as of 1 January 2025” (20.12.2024) (also available in Swedish and Finnish at this link).
4 See Maahanmuuttovirasto, (in English) “Residence permit for an employed person (TTOL)” (also available in Swedish and Finnish at this link).
Contacts
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Disclaimer
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Finland.
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