Finland plans to cancel refugee integration payments: what will change for Ukrainians?

Finland plans to cancel refugee integration payments, which will hit Ukrainians the hardest. Find out what the consequences will be, how funding for services will change, and what to expect from the government's decisions

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The Finnish government is considering a proposal to abolish compensation payments to municipalities for the integration of refugees and asylum seekers. According to Yle.fi, this decision will hit Ukrainians who have been granted temporary protection in the country the hardest.

What is the Finnish government proposing?

Finnish Finance Minister Riitta Puurla (PS) has proposed in her draft budget for next year to completely abolish the integration compensation paid by the state to municipalities and social centers. These funds cover the costs of language training, employment assistance, introductory courses on Finnish society, and other services necessary for the adaptation of new arrivals.

According to the plan, the abolition of payments will save €317 million over two years.

Before russia's invasion in 2022, the state spent around €50-60 million a year on compensation payments to municipalities. Now, this amount exceeds €150 million. It is precisely because of this increase in spending that the Finnish government is looking for ways to optimize the budget.

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How will this affect Ukrainians?

Sonia Hämäläinen, Director of Immigration at the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, emphasizes that most of those who use integration services in Finland are Ukrainians. At present, there are about 46,000 people who have applied for temporary protection since the start of the full-scale war.

According to the ministry, two-thirds of this year's integration program spending is earmarked for supporting Ukrainians, and next year this share could rise to three-quarters.

However, as Mikko Harkonen, director of Vitality at the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, explains, even after the compensation is abolished, municipalities will remain responsible for the integration of immigrants by law.

This means that local authorities will have to look for other sources of funding – raise taxes or cut other items of expenditure. In some cases, there may be cuts to integration services themselves, which are already underfunded.

Tiina Rahimi Ahmadi, integration services manager for the city of Turku, expressed concern that cuts in support could lead to long-term unemployment, poorer language skills, and the isolation of immigrants from public life. This, in turn, creates additional challenges not only for individuals but also for society as a whole.

When will the funding decision be made?

The finance minister's proposal will be considered during the government's budget negotiations in the fall. After that, the final version of the budget will be submitted to parliament, which will make the final decision.

For many Ukrainians in Finland, this issue will be decisive in planning their future. If you are a Ukrainian living abroad or planning to move, it is important to know your rights, opportunities for social assistance, and conditions for legalization in the country. Visit Ukraine's migration lawyers can help with this by advising on residence rules, document processing, and adaptation in a new country.

Contact us for consultation to receive qualified support and answers to all your questions.

We remind you! The European Union has begun preparations for the end of temporary protection for Ukrainians, offering new scenarios for legalization or voluntary return to their homeland. Read what steps are important to take now to secure your future after 2027 in our previous article.

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