On 18 December 2025, the Interior Ministry instructed border guards and Migri to refuse temporary-protection applications from individuals who already hold such status in another EU state. Officers will now run real-time EU-wide database checks before accepting any filing, implementing Article 11 of the Temporary Protection Directive.
The clarification aims to stem a small but growing influx—about 1,200 cases in 2025—of Ukrainian nationals relocating from Poland or Germany to access Finland’s more generous housing allowance and faster labour-market entry. Migri expects volumes to fall by 80 percent after the guidance.
Employers must now verify an applicant’s existing protection status early in the hiring process. Staff transferred under temporary protection in another member state will need to convert to work-based permits such as the EU Blue Card before moving. Mobility teams should update recruitment FAQs and add screening questions in HR portals.
![Finland Closes Loophole on ‘Second’ Temporary-Protection Permits]()
For organizations and individuals unsure which permit path now fits their circumstances, VisaHQ’s Finland portal (https://www.visahq.com/finland/) offers clear guidance, document checklists and application support for everything from EU Blue Cards to standard work and residence visas. Leveraging the service can reduce processing errors and help employers keep mobility timelines on track despite the new restrictions.
Human-rights NGOs fear the measure could strand families seeking reunification in Finland, but officials note that standard asylum or work permits remain available if criteria are met. Companies should prepare template letters that explain alternative permit routes for affected candidates.
The policy places Finland in line with other northern EU states that tightened rules during 2025 to curb “benefit shopping.” Whether it reduces administrative burden or simply shifts applications to other categories will become clear in Migri statistics next spring.
The clarification aims to stem a small but growing influx—about 1,200 cases in 2025—of Ukrainian nationals relocating from Poland or Germany to access Finland’s more generous housing allowance and faster labour-market entry. Migri expects volumes to fall by 80 percent after the guidance.
Employers must now verify an applicant’s existing protection status early in the hiring process. Staff transferred under temporary protection in another member state will need to convert to work-based permits such as the EU Blue Card before moving. Mobility teams should update recruitment FAQs and add screening questions in HR portals.
For organizations and individuals unsure which permit path now fits their circumstances, VisaHQ’s Finland portal (https://www.visahq.com/finland/) offers clear guidance, document checklists and application support for everything from EU Blue Cards to standard work and residence visas. Leveraging the service can reduce processing errors and help employers keep mobility timelines on track despite the new restrictions.
Human-rights NGOs fear the measure could strand families seeking reunification in Finland, but officials note that standard asylum or work permits remain available if criteria are met. Companies should prepare template letters that explain alternative permit routes for affected candidates.
The policy places Finland in line with other northern EU states that tightened rules during 2025 to curb “benefit shopping.” Whether it reduces administrative burden or simply shifts applications to other categories will become clear in Migri statistics next spring.
