Finland has submitted two legislative packages to parliament that would tighten residence permit rules for international students, with drawing social assistance set to become a specific ground for permit revocation. The government presented the proposals on 30 April 2026.

What changes under the first package

The first package targets international students' use of social assistance, a form of financial support paid by the Finnish state. Under the proposed law, receiving social assistance would become an explicit ground for cancelling a residence permit. As a rule, drawing social assistance even once would lead to permit cancellation.

The change would apply to students in higher education and upper secondary education from outside the EU and EEA countries. If parliament approves the proposal, the rule would enter into force in autumn 2026.

The government's rationale rests on monitoring data. Between September 2023 and December 2025, the Finnish Immigration Service subjected more than 37,000 residence permits to automated post-decision monitoring. Within that total, authorities recorded 333 applications for social assistance.

What changes under the second package

The second package introduces several further restrictions on international students:

• A revised income requirement for incoming international students.
• A new language proficiency requirement added to the student residence permit conditions.
• Extension of the grounds for denial under the Aliens Act to upper secondary students and all their family members.
• A minimum residence period: international students would have to live in Finland for at least one year before their family members can apply for a residence permit.

The government plans to send this second package to public consultation in spring 2026.

Who is affected

The measures cover non-EU/EEA nationals studying at Finnish higher education institutions and upper secondary schools, as well as their family members. Current students on residence permits would fall under the social assistance rule once it takes effect, while the income and language requirements would apply to incoming applicants under the revised permit conditions.

Government's position

Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen defended the proposals: "The majority of international students in Finland are doing well and able to make ends meet, as is required by their residence permit. However, we must make sure that students do not end up in a vulnerable position and that they meet the conditions of their residence permit. This is in the interest of everyone studying here."

Context

The proposals follow earlier rounds of tightening, which the Finnish government acknowledges have already contributed to a decline in the number of student permits issued in the country.

Both packages remain subject to parliamentary approval and the spring 2026 consultation process. Students and prospective applicants should follow announcements from the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) for the official texts of the legislation and any guidance on how the new rules will be applied to individual cases.