Fixed-term work can open a career path for foreign students in Finland
The three/six-month rule, which entered into force in June 2025, determines the amount of time during which foreign workers need to find a new job, if their previous employment relationship has ended prematurely. However, the rule has a more limited effect than assumed. For example, the rule does not apply to international students looking for work after graduating from a Finnish higher education institution.
Let us first review the basic principles of the three/six-month unemployment rule. In case the work of a foreign employee ends prematurely, the law entitles the employee to look for new work in Finland for a certain period. Specialists and persons who have worked in Finland for more than two years, for example, have six months to find a new job, while other employees have three months. During that time, their residence permit will not be cancelled.
The idea behind the unemployment rule is that work-based immigration should be, as its name suggests, based on work. The rule only applies to situations where a fixed-term employment relationship ends earlier than agreed or an open-ended employment relationship ends altogether.
In all other situations, the old rules apply. If a fixed-term employment relationship ends as planned, the residence permit will end at the same time. In such as case, foreign employees who wish to stay in Finland must find a new job or apply for a different residence permit.
Unemployment rule does not apply to all
The new regulation has only been in force for a short time. Understandably, it has raised questions. However, because the rule only covers work-based residence permits, it affects a limited group of people. The rule does not apply to permanent residence permits, permits for students or family members, EU citizens or Finnish citizens.
Nor does the rule apply to international students and researchers who have a residence permit to look for work. After graduation, students and researchers may apply for a two-year residence permit to find work or to start a business. In this way, Finland wants to encourage them to stay here for work and become part of Finnish society. After they find a job, the same permit can be used for working.
International higher education students are encouraged to accept fixed-term employment after graduation, because the three/six-month rule does not apply to residence permits to look for work. Even a short employment contract can open up a career path in Finland.
Students who know that they have a job waiting for them after graduation and that they may be eligible for a work-based residence permit should apply for such a permit, instead of applying for a permit to look for work. The three/six-month rule applies to work-based residence permits. However, students can apply for a residence permit to look for work at any time within five years after the residence permit for studies has expired. This means that students can make use of that option later.
Legislation clarifies the position of foreign employees
Although the unemployment rule is new, it has not caused major changes to the way the Finnish Immigration Service operates. A three-month protection period has been in practice since 2023, but until now it has not been specified in law.
The Finnish regulation is in line with that of other EU Member States. In spring 2026, all EU Member States will be required to introduce an unemployment rule that guarantees foreign employees a minimum period of three months to look for work. Finland will closely monitor both the impacts of our own regulation and the solutions of other countries.
Jarmo Tiukkanen, Senior Ministerial Adviser
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment