Living in Finland: the ultimate expat guide

Why Finland wants skilled expats and their families

Will countries ever escape the cycle of labor shortages? It's a question that continues to haunt nations struggling with workforce gaps. Waves of retirement and falling birth rates are draining the labor pool, leaving governments once again turning to foreign talent. But attracting expatriate families is no easy task. Finland, however, is experimenting with a new approach to win them over.

Finland tightens work permit rules for expats

Finland is introducing stricter rules for foreign workers. If you're an expat with a residence permit tied to your job, and you lose that job, you'll now have just three months to find new employment. Otherwise, you could lose your right to stay in the country.

Immigration in Finland rose even during the pandemic

A recent study by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) found that, among 15 high-income countries, Finland was the only one that didn't have a lower immigration rate in 2020 when measured against predicted immigration in the absence of Covid. Data from the OECD suggests that freedom of movement within the European Economic Area (EEA) contributed to that.

Why does Finland need more expats?

Is Finland about to become another top expat destination? The country is making efforts to gain popularity internationally. As soon as it reopened its borders in 2021, this small country has been competing with giants like the United States, Canada, Switzerland, etc. Why is the country so keen on attracting global talent, and what are the benefits of moving there?