Proposal to change residence permit for startup entrepreneurs is sent out for comments

The proposed changes now in public consultation would streamline the residence permit process for startup entrepreneurs. The aim is to allocate the resources of authorities to those applicants that genuinely plan to establish a growth company in Finland. Another goal is to prevent abuse of the system.

Under the current rules, an applicant for a residence permit for a startup entrepreneur must obtain in advance a statement from Business Finland evaluating whether the startup company shows potential for international growth. A significant number of these statements have been negative, and have failed to result in a residence permit being granted or the applicant moving to Finland as a startup entrepreneur. Abuse has been suspected in some cases.

According to the proposed change, there would no longer be a separate advance application for Business Finland’s statement. From now on, the evaluation would be included in the residence permit application subject to a fee. The change is expected to prevent incomplete and low-quality applications and thereby save the resources of the authorities. At the same time, the conditions for granting a residence permit for a startup entrepreneur would be clarified and laid down in law. 

A foreign national applying for the first residence permit as an entrepreneur could apply for a Finnish business identity code after the permit has been granted. The present rules require the applicant to have a business ID already before submitting the application, even though the permit will not necessarily be granted.

The changes are not expected to considerably impact Finland’s ability to attract international startup entrepreneurs. Instead, the aim is to create a seamless residence permit process for applicants who genuinely plan to establish a company or a startup business in Finland. 

Proposal is now under consultation

The proposal will be circulated for comments at the Lausuntopalvelu.fi consultation service between 27 May and 8 July 2026. The government proposal is due to be submitted during the autumn session of 2026. The amendments would enter into force in early 2028.

Inquiries:
Tuulia Muuronen, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 047 329