The four-party alliance government led by Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) moved to amend respective laws with the provision for cancelling residence permits of the students from outside of the European Union and European Economic Area, who will receive social assistance.
The government on Thursday submitted its proposal to Parliament in this regards, said the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in a press release.
The 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 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,” said Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen in the press release.
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.
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.
Earlier in January 2026, the government has taken an initiative to enhance post-decision monitoring of study-based residence permit to check whether international students receive social assistance.
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