Government proposes to tackle income difficulties of international students

Government proposes to tackle income difficulties of international students

The Government's two legislative packages will address the income difficulties faced by international students. The first would strengthen the monitoring of students' use of social assistance in accordance with the Government Programme. The Government submitted its proposal to Parliament on 30 April 2026.

In future, a residence permit of a foreign student could be cancelled more easily if the student resorted to social assistance in Finland. As is the case now, an overall consideration would be carried out before the permit was cancelled.

"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," says Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen.

Resorting to social assistance may indicate income challenges, in which case cancelling the permit may, under the current rules, be considered. In future, however, receiving social assistance would be a specific ground for cancelling the permit. In other words, drawing social assistance even once would, as a rule, lead to permit cancellation.

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

Over 37,000 residence permits were subject to the automated post-decision monitoring of the Finnish Immigration Service between September 2023 and December 2025. A student had applied for social assistance in 333 cases. The proposed change is expected to further reduce the number of people applying for social assistance.

Second set of measures to secure subsistence of students is under preparation

In addition to this proposal, the Government is preparing a second legislative package to prevent international students from ending up in a vulnerable position and income difficulties.

• Going forward, the family of a student would be able to apply for a residence permit in Finland only after the student has been in Finland for one year. In this way, the student would have a realistic idea of the income level required for living in Finland in advance.
• The income requirement for students would be clarified and provisions on the required income in euros would be laid down in an act and decree.
• A language proficiency requirement would be added to the residence permit for studies in order to prevent abuse in cases where the student's language skills are not sufficient for studying in Finland.
• Furthermore, the grounds for denial of the Aliens Act would apply to upper secondary students and all their family members. This would make it easier to monitor the granting of permits and combat any challenges in advance.

The Government is scheduled to send the second legislative package for public consultation in spring 2026.

Inquiries:
Jarmo Tiukkanen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 355
Teresa Salminen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Employment, tel. +358 295 047 318 (questions for the minister)