Residence permit for a specialist (erityisasiantuntija), including the fast-track service
Finland grants a residence permit to people coming to do expert work that needs special expertise, usually with a higher education degree, and paid at least a yearly-reviewed salary threshold (EUR 3,937 gross per month in 2026). There is no labour market test. Using the fast-track service, a first permit can be decided in about 14 days if the application is complete.
Life in Finland
Money
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
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Non-EU experts with a job offer in Finland in specialist duties, typically degree holders, earning above the specialist salary threshold.
Eligibility
Expert duties
The job must involve expert tasks that require special expertise.
Salary threshold
You need a gross salary of at least EUR 3,937 per month. Fringe benefits and daily allowances do not count.
2026EUR 3,937
Minimum gross salary
- The figure is reviewed every year
Official wording
Gross salary of at least EUR 3,937 per month in 2026; the figure is reviewed every year. Fringe benefits and daily allowances do not count.
Education or equivalent expertise
As a rule a higher education degree is required; otherwise the applicant must show equivalent expertise from work experience or other education.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementEmployer's terms of employment
- Document checklistOnline application in Enter Finland (or paper form)
- FeesFirst residence permit for a specialist - online
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 4 more requirements
- 8 documents
- 4 fees
- 7 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Finland
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Finland
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyResidence permit for studies
- Permanent residencePermanent residence permit
- FamilyResidence permit for a spouse
- CitizenshipFinnish citizenship by application
Work permits in other countries
- FijiLong Term Work Permit
- Falkland IslandsFalkland Islands Work Permit
- MicronesiaFSM entry permit for employment or short-term contractual services
- Faroe IslandsFaroe Islands work and residence permit
- FranceCarte de séjour pluriannuelle « talent » (formerly Passeport Talent) - salarié qualifié and carte bleue européenne streams
- United KingdomGraduate visa
