International protection (asylum) in Finland
Official name: Kansainvälinen suojelu / internationellt skydd (Aliens Act)
People seeking asylum in Finland apply from inside Finland or at its border. Since 12 June 2026 the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum applies, along with amendments to the Aliens Act and the reception act: applying is now a three-stage process (making, registering and lodging the application), with screening of 3–7 days. The application must be registered in person with the police or border authorities within 5 days of making it, and lodged with the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) within 21 days. Migri then examines and decides on the application. People displaced from Ukraine get temporary protection instead (see FI.TEMPORARY_PROTECTION_UKRAINE).
Life in Finland
Finance
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
91
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
12.64–37.5%
Income tax (national)
VAT 25.5%
State tax 37.5% above EUR 52,100; plus municipal tax (set by each municipality, roughly 4.7-10.9%) and optional church tax.
Living
1
Happiness
#1 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Who it’s for
People in Finland or at its border who fear persecution or serious harm in their home country.
Eligibility
Three-stage application (from 12 June 2026)
For applications made on or after 12 June 2026, complete three stages: apply, register in person, then lodge with the Finnish Immigration Service.
Deadlines for each stage
From 12 June 2026- Registrationin person, police or border authorities
- 5 days
- Lodging with Migri
- 21 days
- Migri can only start processing after all three stages are done.
Official wording
For applications made on or after 12 June 2026: make the application, have it registered in person by the police or border authorities within 5 days, then lodge it with the Finnish Immigration Service within 21 days. Migri can only start processing after all three stages.
Screening
You go through screening on arrival, which takes 3–7 days.
3–7 days
Screening length
- Screening applies to new arrivals.
Official wording
New arrivals go through screening, which takes 3–7 days.
Reception obligations
You must identify yourself at your reception centre several times each month.
2–4
Identification at reception centre
Official wording
Asylum seekers must identify themselves at their reception centre 2–4 times per month.
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- 1 document
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Official sources
- Migri - EU Pact on Migration and Asylum
- Migri - Applying for international protection and the processing of the applications changes as of 12 June
- Migri - Changes in legislation affecting reception services as of 12 June 2026
- Finnish Government - Government proposal implementing EU Pact submitted to Parliament
Other routes to Finland
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyResidence permit for studies
- Work permitsResidence permit for a specialist (erityisasiantuntija), including the fast-track service
- 3 more routes with Premium
Asylum & protection in other countries
- FranceAsylum in France
- United KingdomClaim asylum in the UK
- GhanaApplication for refugee status
- GreeceInternational protection (asylum) in Greece
- Hong Kong SAR ChinaNon-refoulement claim (Unified Screening Mechanism), Hong Kong
- CroatiaInternational protection (asylum, subsidiary protection) and temporary protection
