Finland Prepares for More Foreign Workers in the Coming Year

Dive Right Into

Key Takeaways

Finland plans to introduce 15,000 foreign work-related residence permits in 2025, rising to 16,500 applications by 2026.
A €1,600 minimum monthly income threshold for foreign workers will apply to residence permits starting January 2025.
Healthcare, ICT, and manufacturing sectors face critical labor shortages, with ICT needing 130,000 skilled workers in the next decade.

Finland has established a global reputation built on its high standard of living, innovative industries, and comprehensive social systems. However, as the country grapples with a shrinking labor market and the challenges of an aging population 🇫🇮, introducing new foreign workers into its workforce is now more essential than ever. In 2025, Finland is gearing up to welcome even larger numbers of foreign workers, unveiling policies aimed at filling labor gaps and preparing the nation for long-term economic security. This shift marks a critical step forward in addressing labor shortages and ensuring growth across key sectors.

Why Finland Needs More Foreign Workers

Finland Prepares for More Foreign Workers in the Coming Year

Finland’s labor market faces two major, interconnected challenges: a rapidly aging population and increasing demand for skilled labor. Both problems have shaped its urgent focus on recruiting workers from abroad.

A Growing Aging Population and Its Impacts

Finland’s aging population poses one of the most significant challenges to its economy. By 2050, it is estimated that 50% of the working-age population will be supporting retirees, a leap from 41% in 2022. This shrinking workforce isn’t just about fewer people performing jobs—it’s also about the rising demand for labor-intensive care required by an older demographic. From healthcare to elderly services, the effects are widespread and place significant pressure on the country’s resources. Without an uninterrupted flow of younger, skilled foreign workers, maintaining stability in these sectors will be increasingly difficult.

Labor Shortages by Sector

Finland’s pressing labor shortages are concentrated most significantly within a handful of industries. Health and elderly care systems are struggling due to the greater need for nurses, caregivers, and doctors to serve an older population. Simultaneously, technology and manufacturing industries face soaring demand for more skilled talent. For example, Finland’s ICT (information and communications technology) sector anticipates requiring 130,000 skilled professionals over the next ten years. Finding these workers locally is unlikely, meaning the nation will need to rely heavily on international hires to remain globally competitive.

Finland’s Plans to Address Labor Shortages

The Finnish government has set ambitious goals to support its workforce by bringing in more international talent. These plans aim to address both immediate labor needs in critical sectors and prepare for future economic challenges.

Government Projections

By 2030, Finland hopes to attract 30,000 international workers annually. Alongside this, the government plans to welcome 15,000 foreign students each year, creating pathways for highly educated youth to transition into the Finnish workforce. For 2025 alone, the Finnish Immigration Service estimates there will be 15,000 work-related residence permit applications. That figure is set to rise further in 2026, reaching a projected 16,500 applications. While the increase may appear incremental compared to recent years, it reflects consistent progress in addressing labor shortages with strategic adjustments.

Income Threshold Introduced

Starting January 2025, Finland will enact a new income threshold for residence permits. Any worker seeking to move to Finland will need to demonstrate a minimum monthly income of €1,600. This policy has two purposes: ensuring that foreign workers have adequate financial security and creating a clear guideline for potential applicants. At the same time, Finland has preserved its intent to keep attracting professionals who can meaningfully participate in its workforce and economy.

Supporting Foreign Workers Through Policy Reforms

Finland understands that simply increasing the number of foreign workers isn’t enough; ensuring they feel welcome and equipped to succeed is just as important. To achieve this, the government has outlined several policy changes meant to smooth the process of recruitment, resettlement, and integration for international professionals.

Easing Recruitment and Residency Processes

A streamlined service system is being developed to reduce the administrative complexities foreign workers face when applying to move to Finland. The centralized initiative will involve government bodies and local municipalities collaborating to deliver more straightforward immigration procedures. By removing bureaucratic hurdles, Finland hopes to make its job market more accessible and appealing.

Improved Integration Support

In 2025, Finland’s Integration Act will undergo revisions to provide more localized and specific support for foreign workers. Municipal-level authorities will take on greater roles, tailoring services like language learning programs and professional mentorship to individual needs. These changes aim to help workers adjust to Finnish culture and language while allowing for faster integration into the job market.

A Look at Finland’s History with Foreign Workers

Finland’s reliance on foreign labor is not a new development, though its significance has grown dramatically in recent years.

Shifts Over the Last Decade

Back in 2010, immigrants made up less than 4% of Finland’s workforce. A decade later, in 2020, this figure rose to 7.5%, signifying a clear trend toward greater dependence on foreign talent. Many of these workers were employed in essential services, retail, and skilled professions—areas that would struggle to maintain output without their contributions.

Record Inflows in Recent Years

The inflow of immigrants reached significant milestones recently, with 40,000 new permanent residents arriving in 2022—a 31% increase compared to the previous year. That growth emphasizes Finland’s growing appeal as a destination for foreign workers and skilled immigrants.

The government’s coordinated approach is supported by broader long-term objectives, including the seamless inclusion of international expertise across its labor sectors.

Industries Set to Gain from Immigration

Certain industries stand out as the primary beneficiaries of rising numbers of foreign workers. These sectors are critical to Finland’s economy and depend heavily on international hires to maintain operations and competitiveness.

Healthcare and Elderly Care

Due to the needs of Finland’s aging population, its healthcare and elderly care systems are on the forefront of foreign worker recruitment efforts. Doctors, nurses, and caregivers are especially in high demand as these systems work to meet rising care requirements for elderly citizens.

Technology and ICT

Finland’s ICT sector is another key area in need of skilled professionals. As a hub of technological innovation, Finland continues to host innovative companies despite struggling to fill thousands of jobs. Skilled workers in artificial intelligence, software engineering, and data science will play a pivotal role in ensuring these industries remain competitive globally.

Manufacturing

The manufacturing sector also presents countless opportunities for foreign professionals. Engineers, technicians, and factory workers skilled in advanced production systems are central to sustaining Finland’s status as one of Europe’s key exporters of manufactured goods.

Potential Roadblocks and Solutions

Despite Finland’s strategic framework, certain challenges could disrupt its well-laid plans to bring in foreign workers.

Skill Mismatches

Matching industry needs with workers’ actual skills is an ongoing concern. High-demand areas like ICT often require specialized qualifications and training that not all workers can meet immediately. Investing in reskilling programs for immigrants through government and industry partnerships is likely to be an essential next step.

Integration Barriers

Learning Finnish or Swedish is needed for full integration into the workplace and community life in Finland. However, acquiring language proficiency can take time, delaying newcomers’ ability to fully participate in their jobs. Language courses, coupled with cultural education programs, are among the key initiatives to help foreign workers succeed.

Broader Impacts of Foreign Workers on Finland

The economic and social benefits of welcoming foreign labor extend beyond filling jobs. Immigrants bring cultural diversity, new ideas, and international networks, all of which enrich Finnish society. They also play an important role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, providing Finland with a competitive edge in global industries.

Moreover, industries with mixed domestic and international teams report greater adaptability and access to foreign customer bases, further amplifying the positive effects of a growing international workforce.

Final Thoughts

As Finland prepares for a future shaped by demographic shifts, labor shortages, and global competition, its focus on recruiting foreign workers will be a fundamental part of its strategy. Policies like income thresholds and integration services show that Finland isn’t just increasing immigration numbers but carefully planning mechanisms to support these workers’ success. Whether in healthcare, tech, or manufacturing, foreign workers will remain essential for addressing sector bottlenecks and developing Finland’s future economy.

The government’s commitment to both immediate labor solutions and long-term demographic stability signals that Finland 🇫🇮 is ready to embrace change. For more information on Finnish immigration and workers’ benefits, you can visit the official Finnish Immigration Service page here. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this step towards inclusive and sustainable workforce strategies will not only secure Finland’s economic stability but also enrich its evolving cultural and global identity. ###

Learn Today

Labor Market → The supply and demand for jobs, focusing on workers available and employers looking to hire in a specific area.
Aging Population → A demographic trend where the proportion of older individuals in a population increases, often impacting economic and social systems.
Integration → The process of helping immigrants adapt socially, culturally, and economically into a new society or workplace.
Income Threshold → A minimum income level required for individuals to qualify for certain permits or residency in a country.
ICT Sector → The industry focused on information and communications technology, including software, hardware, and telecommunications developments.

This Article in a Nutshell

Finland’s Workforce Challenge: A Future with Foreign Talent

Finland battles an aging population and critical labor shortages, particularly in healthcare, technology, and manufacturing. To secure its future, the nation is welcoming more foreign workers, streamlining processes, and enhancing integration policies. By embracing international talent, Finland aims to strengthen its economy, foster innovation, and build a more globally competitive workforce.