Finland changes rules for foreign berry pickers to protect workers

Key Takeaways

• From February 17, 2025, non-EU berry pickers in Finland need work permits and Kela healthcare approval.
• New rules classify berry picking as seasonal work, requiring formal contracts detailing pay and hours before permits are granted.
• Authorities will conduct regular checks to prevent exploitation, ensure compliance, and grant workers access to public healthcare.

Finland 🇫🇮, long known for its rich wild berry harvests, has introduced a new set of rules for foreign berry pickers from countries outside the European Union. Starting February 17, 2025, the Finnish government requires these workers to have both a valid work permit and special approval for healthcare before they can start picking berries in the country. The main reasons for these new rules are to stop unfair treatment of workers, prevent human trafficking, and make sure every berry picker has fair working conditions and access to healthcare. Let’s explore what these new rules mean for foreign berry pickers, employers, and the wider community—and look at what’s changed compared to previous years.

Why Change Was Needed

For many years, Finland 🇫🇮 welcomed thousands of berry pickers from around the world, especially from places outside the European Union. Many of these seasonal workers came to live and work in rural areas for only a few months every year. Most came on tourist visas, which did not give them full worker rights or access to public benefits like healthcare. As a result, some berry pickers faced unsafe working conditions, unfair pay, and sometimes even risked becoming victims of exploitation or trafficking.

Reports raised concerns that some employers took advantage of these workers or did not follow labor laws. Sometimes berry pickers had to pay out of pocket for urgent medical care and did not have the same rights as local workers. All these concerns led Finland 🇫🇮 to look for better ways to protect berry pickers and raise standards in the sector.

The New Rules: What’s Required Before Picking a Single Berry

As part of the changes, Finland 🇫🇮 has turned berry picking into a job officially defined as “seasonal work” under its laws. This new label means that foreign berry pickers from outside the EU must now take two major steps before coming to the country:

1. Getting a Work Permit

First, every foreign berry picker must apply for and receive a work permit. There are two types:

• Seasonal Work Visa: For anyone coming to pick berries for less than three months, you must get a seasonal work visa. This permit needs to be applied for at a Finnish embassy or mission in your home country before you travel. The embassy checks to make sure your job offer is real and that you have the right paperwork.

• Residence Permit for Seasonal Work: If the planned berry picking job is between three and nine months, you need to apply for a residence permit for seasonal work. Only the Finnish Immigration Service can issue this permit. Like the shorter-term visa, you must apply before entering Finland 🇫🇮.

No matter which type you need, you can only apply once you have a written job offer from your Finnish employer. This job offer must clearly state your working hours, pay, and other important details. This step gives both the worker and the government a clear idea of what to expect, helping prevent false promises or unfair contracts.

To review the full process and start your application, you can visit the official Finnish Immigration Service website. This site provides instructions in several languages, and helps workers check which permit fits their situation.

2. Approval for Healthcare

In addition to the new work permit, foreign berry pickers must now get healthcare approval from Kela, which stands for the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. Kela runs public healthcare for people working or living in Finland 🇫🇮.

Before these changes, foreign berry pickers coming on tourist visas could only get urgent or emergency care, and usually had to pay all costs themselves. This left many workers unable to get even basic medical help if they were ill or injured.

Now, with the new system, berry pickers can apply to Kela for basic medical coverage by filling out a form called “SV 139e.” This form asks for proof of employment in Finland 🇫🇮 and shows Kela you are working in the country for a set period. Once your application is approved, you get access to public healthcare for as long as you are picking berries in Finland 🇫🇮.

This step is important for two reasons:

• It protects the health and safety of foreign berry pickers, making sure they can see a doctor and get medicine if needed.
• It gives berry pickers peace of mind, so they don’t have to worry about paying for all medical costs out of pocket.

3. Fighting Exploitation and Human Trafficking

The new rules also give the Finnish government more power to check on employers and working conditions. Authorities will do regular checks to:

• Make sure employers are following Finnish labor laws.
• Investigate any risk of unfair treatment, low pay, or unsafe working conditions.
• Look into any signs of trafficking or forced labor.

This means employers must keep good records and show they are meeting their legal duties. It also helps make sure Finland 🇫🇮 remains a safe and fair country for people who come from abroad to work, even if only for a few months each year.

Organizing the Process: From Law to Reality

The journey to these new rules started after Finnish officials, as well as unions and rights groups, called for better protections for seasonal workers. The government looked closely at reports and statistics about working conditions, especially in the berry picking sector.

After gathering more evidence, the government set out to update the immigration law. Lawmakers discussed the best ways to make berry picking safer and fairer for everyone involved. After debates in parliament and talks with different groups, the new requirements were approved and published for public review. This open process meant that many voices, including those of employers, unions, and even berry pickers themselves, were heard before any final decisions.

Once approved, employers and foreign berry pickers received time to adjust before the law took effect on February 17, 2025. The government published guides and trained border officials, Kela staff, and labor inspectors to help with the new process. Finnish embassies in high-risk countries also received special training to spot fake job offers or signs of exploitation.

How the New Rules Affect Different Groups

For Foreign Berry Pickers

If you’re planning to travel to Finland 🇫🇮 for berry picking, the process now includes several clear steps. First, you need a real job offer from a Finnish employer that clearly explains the job, your hours, and your pay. Next, you must use that job offer to apply for the correct work permit—either at a Finnish embassy or with the Immigration Service, depending on how long you plan to stay. Only after you’ve received the permit can you apply to Kela for healthcare coverage.

This system is more complex than before, but it gives you more legal protection and ensures you have the right to medical care when in Finland 🇫🇮. It’s a big improvement compared to the old way, where many pickers arrived on tourist visas and were left without clear rights or access to health services.

For Employers

Employers in the berry sector must now follow stricter rules. They can only hire pickers who have gone through the official permit process, and they must provide job offers in writing that fully explain the work and wages. Employers have to pay attention to labor laws, keep proper records, and make sure everyone they hire has healthcare coverage through Kela.

If they break the rules or are caught treating workers unfairly, authorities can fine them, ban them from hiring foreign pickers, or even bring legal action. The government will do regular inspections to check for problems and make sure the rules are being followed.

For the Government and the Public

The government’s main focus is to stop abuse and protect all workers. The changes also make sure that berry picking, a key part of rural Finnish life and local business, remains fair and honest. By raising standards, authorities hope to make Finland 🇫🇮 a place where seasonal workers can expect decent pay, safe working conditions, and the same healthcare protection as Finns.

What Was Different Before?

Before 2025, most foreign berry pickers from outside the EU could simply enter Finland 🇫🇮 on a tourist visa, often without a job contract or work permit. This meant there were few legal protections if something went wrong. Some pickers found themselves working in poor conditions, sometimes for very little pay, and had to pay for any medical care themselves. The system relied on trust, with little oversight. This made it harder for the government to spot problems or stop bad employers.

Now, the addition of official work permits and healthcare approval gives everyone more clarity and safety. The new system links each worker to a real employer, creates records for inspectors to check, and gives berry pickers the same rights as other seasonal workers in Finland 🇫🇮.

Addressing Controversy

As with most new laws, there has been debate about whether these changes go far enough or might create new problems. Some say the rules may make it harder for small berry businesses to find enough workers, especially if paperwork takes too long. Others worry about how well the rules will be enforced, or if some workers will still try to come without permits and be at risk.

On the other hand, many unions, rights groups, and public officials believe these changes are a big step forward for fairness and safety in the berry industry. The focus now is on making sure everyone understands the new system and can take the right steps to follow the law.

Next Steps and How to Prepare

If you are a foreign berry picker planning to work in Finland 🇫🇮 after February 17, 2025, here’s what you need to do:

1. Look for a job with a reliable Finnish employer.
2. Get a written job contract that clearly states your pay and working hours.
3. Apply for the correct work permit—a seasonal work visa or residence permit—at a Finnish embassy or via the Finnish Immigration Service.
4. Once in Finland 🇫🇮, fill out Kela form SV 139e to get your basic healthcare rights.
5. Keep records of your work and make sure your employer meets all their duties.

If you are an employer, make sure you understand the new rules and start your hiring plans early. Give clear job offers, help pickers with their paperwork, and follow every step for compliance.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these new Finnish rules represent a push toward safer, fairer, and more transparent seasonal work for everyone involved. Both workers and employers are expected to benefit in the long run from clearer rules and better protections.

Final Thoughts and Advice

The new work permit and healthcare rules for foreign berry pickers in Finland 🇫🇮 are meant to build trust and fairness in an industry that relies on global workers. Taking the right steps and following the law will help keep both workers and employers out of trouble—and create a better experience for all.

For more information, visit the official Finnish Immigration Service seasonal work permit page or contact a professional for advice on your specific situation. Please remember that this article gives an overview and is not legal advice. For questions about your own case, always speak with an expert in Finnish immigration law.

Learn Today

Seasonal Work Visa → A temporary permit allowing non-EU citizens to work in Finland for up to three months picking berries or similar tasks.
Residence Permit for Seasonal Work → Authorization required for foreign workers staying in Finland three to nine months to perform seasonal agricultural jobs.
Kela → The Social Insurance Institution of Finland. It handles public healthcare and social benefits for residents and eligible workers.
SV 139e → A specific application form foreign berry pickers use to request healthcare coverage while working in Finland.
Human Trafficking → The illegal exploitation of people through force, fraud, or coercion for labor, often addressed by immigration laws and protections.

This Article in a Nutshell

Finland’s berry sector introduces new protections for foreign pickers starting February 17, 2025. Non-EU workers must now secure both a work permit and Kela healthcare approval before entering. The clear process protects workers’ rights, ensures fair conditions, and reduces exploitation. Employers must provide formal contracts and comply with stricter oversight.
— By VisaVerge.com