Temporary Protection - Finland | DIP EUAA
PDF generated on 2026-04-15 20:32
Finland transposed the Temporary Protection Directive under the Article 109 of the Aliens Act | Ulkomaalaislaki (301/2004). The pertinent provisions of the national legislation were activated on 7 March 2022 by the Government Decision on Granting temporary protection in response to the situation in Ukraine (149/2022) | Valtioneuvoston päätös tilapäisen suojelun antamisesta Ukrainan tilanteeseen vastaamiseksi (149/2022).
For third-country nationals who were residing in Ukraine with a temporary residence permit and who are not family members of Ukrainian citizens, temporary protection ended on 31 March 2025.
Temporary protection
Aliens Act (30.4.2004/301), Sections 109-115: Temporary Protection | Ulkomaalaislaki (30.4.2004/301), 109 § -111 §. Tilapäinen suojelu and subsequent amendments.
Government Decision on granting temporary protection in response to the situation in Ukraine (149/2022) | Valtioneuvoston päätös tilapäisen suojelun antamisesta Ukrainan tilanteeseen vastaamiseksi (149/2022).Activation of Temporary Protection
Government Decision SM/2022/24 to provide temporary protection to respond to the situation in Ukraine adopted on 7 March 2022 | Valtioneuvoston päätös SM/2022/24 tilapäisen suojelun antamisesta Ukrainan tilanteeseen vastaamiseksi.
Reception
Chapter 4 of the Act on the Integration of Immigrants and the Reception of Asylum Seekers | Laki maahanmuuttajien kotouttamisesta ja turvapaikanhakijoiden vastaanotosta
Act on the Reception of persons applying for International Protection and on identification and Assistance to Victims of Human Trafficking | Laki kansainvälistä suojelua hakevan vastaanotosta sekä ihmiskaupan uhrin tunnistamisesta ja auttamisesta and subsequent amendments.
| Area | Competent national authority | Assistance to the competent authority (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| Screening at the external border (if relevant) | Police | Poliisi | Border Guard | Rajavartiolaitos |
| Biometric data (if relevant) | Police | Poliisi | Finnish Immigration Service | Maahanmuuttovirasto |
| Granting temporary protection | Finnish Immigration Service | Maahanmuuttovirasto | n/a |
| Issuing the residence permit | Finnish Immigration Service | Maahanmuuttovirasto | n/a |
| Providing accommodation | Finnish Immigration Service | Maahanmuuttovirasto | Municipalities |
| Medical care | Ministry of Social Affairs and Health | Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriö (STM) | n/a |
| Social welfare | Ministry of Social Affairs and Health | Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriö (STM) | Finnish Immigration Service | Maahanmuuttovirasto Municipalities |
According to Government Decision SM/2022/24 adopted on 7 March 2022 by the Parliament of Finland and pursuant to Section 109 of the Aliens Act, the following categories of people are eligible for temporary protection:
- Ukrainian citizens and their family members as defined in Article 2(4) of the Implementing Decision who fled Ukraine shortly before 24 February 2022 in the event of escalation of tensions or who were in EU territory just before that date;
- Ukrainian nationals already residing in Finland or arriving in Finland and their family members as defined in Article 2(4) of the Implementing Decision who are unable to return to Ukraine due to armed conflict; and
- Stateless persons and third-country nationals referred to in Article 2(3) of the implementing decision.
According to Chapter 6, Sections 114 and 115 of the Aliens Act, family members constitute the following categories of people who are eligible to apply for temporary protection: The family members of Ukrainian citizens and of those granted international protection or equivalent national protection in Ukraine, if the family ties were established in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 and the family member is not a citizen of an EU Member State, a Nordic country, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.
Family members must show proof of family ties, for example a marriage certificate or a birth certificate for a child who is a Ukrainian citizen. If the family member is a citizen of an EU Member State, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, he/she can apply for EU registration.
The government decided that as of 7 September 2023 residence permits on the basis of temporary protection will not be issued to third-country nationals and stateless persons who have resided in Ukraine on the basis of a temporary residence permit. The Finnish Immigration Service clarified that, if a third-country national or a stateless person applies for temporary protection in Finland, the person must show proof of family ties to a Ukrainian citizen, have been granted international protection in Ukraine, a family member has been granted international protection in Ukraine or have a permanent residence permit in Ukraine and a safe and permanent return to the home country is not possible.
As such, temporary protection ended for certain third-country nationals, and their permits expired on 31 March 2025 for third-country nationals who have been residing in Ukraine with a temporary residence permit and who are not family members of Ukrainian citizens.
According to Section 11 (2) of the Aliens Act (and the Schengen Borders Code), holders of a biometric passport can stay in the Schengen area without a visa for 90 days. To stay longer, an application for a residence permit must be submitted. In the absence of a biometric passport, a visa is required. When a person comes from a visa-required country, the person must have a valid visa, residence permit or pending application for a residence permit in order to legally stay in Finland.
Security screening is regularly performed at the borders by the Police.
Health screening is not regularly performed when entering the country but is provided during the initial reception when a person registers for temporary protection.
Information platforms (websites)
The Finnish Immigration Service has dedicated platforms with updated information on Ukraine, temporary protection, rights and obligations:
- Frequently asked questions about Russia's attack on Ukraine
- Temporary protection
- Temporary protection
- Telegram Channel where information is shared in Ukrainian
The information on the website and in the leaflets has been updated with new information on rights and obligations.
Phone line
Finnish Immigration Service, number 0295 790 605, provides information in Finnish, Swedish, English and Ukrainian.
Leaflets
Finnish Immigration Service, Children who have fled Ukraine: You can get help in Finland
Other
Government webpage on how to help Ukrainians (FI/SV/EN)
Finnish Red Cross page on help for the victims of the Ukraine crisis
Latest statistics
Statistics are available on the dedicated page of the Finnish Immigration Service.
An application for temporary protection must be registered with the Police or Border Guard, when a person enters Finland and express the intention to apply for temporary protection. Data, such as personal details, place of residence, details of family members and the route taken to Finland, are recorded during the registration of the application for temporary protection. The authorities recommend applying for temporary protection even if a person has already applied for asylum. The Finnish Immigration Service has developed guidelines for the registration process and is developing workflows for examining temporary protection applications.
Upon registration, the applicant enters the reception system and has the same right to material reception conditions as an applicant for international protection.
Applications for temporary protection are processed by the Finnish Immigration Service. The processing time is approximately 1 week.
If the decision of the Finnish Immigration Service is positive, the applicant will be granted a residence permit on the grounds of temporary protection which is valid until EU temporary protection is valid and it is automatically renewed for the entire duration of the temporary protection, unless a different decision is made. The beneficiary also has access to reception for the whole duration of temporary protection and receives social healthcare and employment benefits.
For third-country nationals who resided in Ukraine with a temporary residence permit and who are not family members of Ukrainian citizens, temporary protection ended on 31 March 2025.
| Registration | Registration: Upon entering Finland, a person must inform the police or a border control authority (Police contact details - Police - poliisi.fi) about their intention to apply for temporary protection. The police or border guard registers the application, which is free of charge. The police have centralised the reception of the application for temporary protection at certain offices. At the time of lodging an application, all those requesting protection from Ukraine, irrespective of their nationality, will be presumed to apply for temporary protection, including unaccompanied minors from Ukraine. Data: The police or border control authority registers the application for temporary protection and makes a record of:
Documentation: The police or border guard have the obligation to verify the following information from the applicant: identity data (names, date and place of birth, nationality, place of residence); information on identity documents; the authenticity of identity documents; if he/she is not a Ukrainian national, his/her residence in Ukraine; residence card details if the applicant is not a Ukrainian national; family ties (personal data of parents, children, siblings and spouse/cohabitee); the date of departure from Ukraine; whether the applicant applies for asylum in addition to temporary protection. When lodging an application, the applicant shall be informed of the differences between temporary protection and asylum. Decision: Following registration, the Finnish Immigration Service makes a decision on the application. The estimated processing time for an application for temporary protection is approximately 1 week. The Finnish Immigration Service ensures that the applicant fulfils all conditions for temporary protection and that there are no grounds for refusing to grant a residence permit on the basis of temporary protection. A personal interview can be organised before the decision is made, only if the Finnish Immigration Service considers that there is a particular need to clarify the conditions for temporary protection if there are doubts about the identity of the applicant or exclusion grounds. The applicant will receive the decision by post, either to the reception centre where the applicant is living or to the address provided to the Finnish Immigration Service if the applicant lives in a private accommodation. |
|---|---|
| Residence permit | Section 110 of the Aliens Act was amended in February 2025 and provides that the validity of the residence permit granted to a foreigner in need of temporary protection is valid until the Government Decision provided under Section 109(2) is in force. Issuance of residence permit: The Finnish Immigration Service orders a residence permit after the decision has been issued. In total, it takes approximately 2 weeks to be served with the decision and receive a residence permit card from the date on which the application was submitted. All residence permits are automatically extended until 4 March 2026 for three categories of card holders: i) Ukrainian citizen or a family member of a Ukrainian citizen; ii) the card holder has a residence permit in Ukraine on the basis of international protection or is a family member of a person who has been granted international protection in Ukraine; and iii) the card holder has a permanent residence permit in Ukraine and safe and permanent return to the home country is not possible. It is legal to reside in Finland even if the temporary protection holder does not apply for a new residence permit card, in case where the expiry date printed on the card indicates 4 March 2023, 4 March 2024 or 4 March 2025. However, if a person wants a new card, they can apply for it. The updated validity period of the residence permit will be printed on the new card. The new residence permit card is free of charge for beneficiaries of temporary protection. A fee is charged for a renewal, however renewing the card is not essential. The processing fees are EUR 20 for an electronic renewal and EUR 40 for a paper application. The residence permit consists of a card with biometric data. Database: Beneficiaries of temporary protection are registered in the population registry when a residence permit is issued and an identification number is issued, which is recorded on the residence card. If a person has not received a personal identification number in connection with a positive residence permit, a request must be made to the Digital and Population Information Office. Beneficiaries of temporary protection do not receive a municipality of residence in accordance with the Act on the Municipality of Domicile. However, a beneficiary of temporary protection may receive a municipality of residence if he/she is a member of the family (spouse, guardian or child) of a person who has a municipality of residence in Finland. |
| Legal aid | The registration of an application for temporary protection is not, in principle, a specific reason to be granted legal aid and does not require legal assistance. However, Section 9(1) of the Aliens Act and the Legal Aid Act specify that, if temporary protection is denied, an applicant has the right to appeal before an administrative court. In this case, an applicant has the right to legal aid. Similarly, if a person applies for both temporary protection and asylum, he/she is entitled to seek and obtain legal aid in asylum matters in the same way as other applicants for international protection. |
| Appeal | The grounds for an appeal of a decision on temporary protection are laid down in Section 191(1), Item 5 of the Aliens Act | Ulkomaalaislaki (30.4.2004/301). If an applicant is granted temporary protection, an appeal is not possible against the positive decision if the person has applied for asylum and the processing of the asylum application is ongoing. If an applicant is not granted temporary protection, he/she may appeal against the decision to an administrative court. Instructions for lodging an appeal are usually attached to the decision and are the same as for contesting a negative decision in an asylum procedure. The competent court for deciding on appeals against a rejection of a request for temporary protection or a removal decision due to a decision made in the temporary protection procedure is the regional administrative court pursuant to Section 193(2) of the Aliens Act. The administrative court must rule on the appeals as an urgent matter (Section 193(3) Aliens Act). There is no automatic suspensive effect of the appeal. |
| Exclusion | Article 110 of the Aliens Act | Ulkomaalaislaki (30.4.2004/301) provides for the following exclusion clauses:
A check is done on the Temporary Protection Platform to verify if protection has been previously granted in another EU+ country. |
| Termination/withdrawal | Withdrawal of temporary protection: An applicant who leaves Finland permanently must withdraw his/her application. If the person returns to Finland and an application for temporary protection has not been submitted in another EU+ country, a new application for temporary protection can be made. To cancel an application for temporary protection, a person must personally notify the officer of the Finnish Immigration Service, the police, the border authority or its director, or deputy director at the reception centre of the wish to withdraw the application for temporary protection. The clerk will file a cancellation notice on the form. If an application has been withdrawn, the Finnish Immigration Service will process and decide whether the application will lapse. The decision to lapse cannot be appealed to an administrative court (Section 95c(1) Aliens Act). When a person is granted temporary protection in Finland and then granted temporary protection in another country, the status in Finland is withdrawn (Section 58(1) Aliens Act). Short stay outside Finland: Applicants who intend to leave Finland for a short stay and plan to return to Finland must notify the reception centre. A temporary protection residence permit may be withdrawn if the grounds on which the permit was issued no longer exist, pursuant to Section 58(5) Aliens Act). |
The Reception Unit of the Finnish Immigration Service is responsible for the reception and accommodation of applicants and beneficiaries of temporary protection in reception structures for applicants for international protection. In practice, reception services are provided in reception centres, which are managed by the Finnish Immigration Service and by external service providers.
The reception and accommodation of applicants and beneficiaries for temporary protection is regulated under the Chapter 4 of the Act on the Integration of Immigrants and the Reception of Asylum Seekers | Laki maahanmuuttajien kotouttamisesta ja turvapaikanhakijoiden vastaanotosta for holders of a municipality of residence. The provision of reception services is governed by the Act on the Reception of Persons Applying for International Protection and on Identification and Assistance to Victims of Human Trafficking | Laki kansainvälistä suojelua hakevan vastaanotosta sekä ihmiskaupan uhrin tunnistamisesta ja auttamisesta.
Under national legislation, reception services are provided to displaced persons when applying for temporary protection and to persons who are granted residence permits (on the basis of temporary protection) for the entire duration of their temporary protection.
Applicants for temporary protection receive the same level of reception services as applicants for international protection, such as accommodation, healthcare, assistance with registration, issuance of personal identification number and access to employment. Reception services for beneficiaries of temporary protection include accommodation, healthcare, essential social welfare services, access to education and employment, and support for integration. Services provided at reception centres also include meals, interpretation, translation and practical support to applicants and beneficiaries, such as information provision, guidance, counselling and security.
The national legislation, namely Article 14 of the Act on the Reception of Persons Applying for International Protection and on Identification and Assistance to Victims of Human Trafficking, specifies that reception services may be provided to a beneficiary of temporary protection who has a domicile address in Finland, for a reasonable period of time and when specific conditions apply. Since 2023, beneficiaries of temporary protection can apply for a municipality of residence from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency, if they have lived in Finland for 1 year and hold a residence permit on the basis of temporary protection which has been granted for at least 1 year. When a person registers under the municipality of residence, they must leave the reception system and they will become a customer of the municipality’s social welfare services and entitled to enrol in specialised integration programmes.
In 2024, the Finnish Immigration Service informed and encouraged asylum applicants and beneficiaries of temporary protection to apply for a municipality of residence and to receive more services.
Reception services end when an applicant or beneficiary of temporary protection leaves Finland, is granted another type of residence permit or when the residence permit issued on the basis of temporary protection expires and the person can return to the country of origin safely.
The Ministry of the Interior of Finland, in cooperation with other national authorities and municipalities, have concluded a memorandum on matters related to the stay of displaced persons from Ukraine, from which the competent actors can draw up more detailed instructions.
Initial reception: A person who is under the age of 18 and has arrived in Finland alone to apply for asylum or temporary protection is accommodated at a reception centre for children, in a unit for minors.
Accommodation: Beneficiaries of temporary protection may be accommodated in a reception centre or they can arrange accommodation outside of the centre. A beneficiary may choose to move from private accommodation to a reception centre, but the allocation to an accommodation centre depends on capacity in the reception system.
Information about the types of reception centres in Finland is available here and here.
Provision for means to obtain housing: The Finnish Immigration Service does not coordinate private accommodation.
The reception centre registers the beneficiary as ‘private accommodation customer’ once proof of the private accommodation is received, in accordance with Section 18 of the Act on the Reception of Persons Applying for International Protection and on Identification and Assistance to Victims of Human Trafficking. The beneficiary of temporary protection must indicate the address in writing and present the rental contract or other proof of the private accommodation to the reception centre.
A separate subsidy is not provided for accommodation when a beneficiary for temporary protection chooses to be accommodated privately. They receive reception benefits other than the accommodation and any accompanying meals from the reception centre where they are registered. Neither the Immigration Service nor the Reception Centre pays any compensation to persons providing private accommodation.
| Rights | Description |
|---|---|
| Access to the labour market | A person applying for temporary protection has the right to work in Finland soon after an application for temporary protection is registered by the police or border control authority. During registration, the police or border control authority will provide the applicant with a printed certificate proving the right to work. The right to work is unrestricted, meaning that the person can find employment in any field. After applying for temporary protection, the person is registered at a reception centre, where staff provide information on employment. The reception centre can refer the applicant to an Employment and Economic Development Office (TE Office), which assists jobseekers with job searches, offers employment-related services and provides access to Finnish or Swedish language courses. TE Offices also have extensive information on job vacancies, accessible through platforms like JobsinFinland and WorkinFinland. A person who is granted temporary protection has the right to work under the same conditions as nationals. The decision on temporary protection and the residence permit state that the beneficiary has unrestricted right to work. If a beneficiary of temporary protection resides in a municipality, they can register free of charge as an unemployed jobseeker at the TE Office and an get access to the services provided by local government pilots on employment. The beneficiary is also entitled to employment-promoting social services, offered by the TE Office and the municipality of residence, which design an integration plan for the person and offer services that will support integration in Finland. |
| Access to medical care | A person applying for temporary protection has the right to access medical care under the same conditions as an applicant for international protection. They may undergo an initial health examination, medical screening and vaccinations. A beneficiary of temporary protection has access to medical care as a resident of a Finnish municipality. A beneficiary for temporary protection from Ukraine who is employed in Finland is entitled to receive municipal health care, care at hospital district services and occupational healthcare, along with essential and urgent social welfare services. |
| Social welfare assistance and means of subsistence | Beneficiaries of temporary protection have the right to live in a reception centre and receive services provided by the reception centre. For example, they receive healthcare services, reception allowance and essential social welfare services, and their essential livelihood is secured. They can also arrange their own housing. Beneficiaries of temporary protection have access to most of the Kela benefits (social and healthcare services) if Kela estimates that the person is resident in Finland permanently or if he/she works in Finland and the wages for the work are at least EUR 741.75 per month. Detailed information is available here. Municipalities provide information and guidelines on access to social and health care services. The Finnish Immigration Service provides reception allowances for those entitled to reception services and to cover immediate basic needs. The reception allowance is given either on a prepaid card by the Finnish Immigration Service, in cash or via a personal Finnish bank account. Applicants receiving the allowance on a Finnish Immigration Service prepaid card must collect it in person at their designated reception centre. If prepaid cards are unavailable, the allowance will be paid in cash until the cards are supplied. For beneficiaries with a Finnish bank account, the allowance is primarily paid directly into their account. The Finnish Immigration Service is also actively assisting beneficiaries of temporary protection in opening bank accounts to facilitate this process. If there are delays in processing an application or paying the reception allowance, the reception centre provides support through alternative means, such as food aid or supermarket vouchers. Individuals residing in private accommodation who require assistance with basic needs are encouraged to contact the reception centre directly. |
| Education | Children granted temporary protection or seeking asylum do not have a subjective right to early childhood education and care organised by the municipality, but participation in early childhood education and care is based on the municipality's means-testing. However, the early childhood education and care can be arranged, for example in situations where parents work or study or when early childhood education and care is estimated to support the child's well-being and learning. Irrespective of the right of residence, the child is in practice present in the territory of the municipality, the municipality may organise early childhood education on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the best interests of the child. A joint memorandum from government ministries has instructed municipalities to offer basic education to all Ukrainian children residing in their area, regardless of entry status. Schools play a key role in supporting the child’s well-being and creating a stable daily routine. Under the Basic Education Act, municipalities are responsible for providing pre-primary and basic education for children of compulsory school age, including those under temporary protection or seeking asylum. Adults: Holders of a residence permit on the basis of temporary protection may study in Finland without restrictions. There is a free right to apply for vocational education and upper secondary general education, and people with temporary protection may apply under the same conditions as Finnish citizens. Vocational training for beneficiaries of temporary protection: If a person with temporary protection applies for vocational training, he/she may also complete studies under a training contract or apprenticeship agreement, provided that the conditions for this are met. Vocational training can be arranged at the workplace in connection with practical work tasks based on a training contract or as apprenticeship training. In education based on an education contract, the student acquires competence at the workplace in connection with practical work tasks but is not employed. Apprenticeship training, on the other hand, is based on a written fixed-term employment contract between the employer and students aged 15 or over. Student welfare: Students with temporary protection have the right to student welfare in the same way as other students in vocational education or upper secondary school. The following institutions provide information: Ministry of the Interior dedicated page. Ministry of Education and Culture including a FAQ on early childhood education, the organisation of education, and cooperation in higher education and research. |
| Family reunification | The target group for temporary protection includes family members of Ukrainian citizens. It is not possible to apply for temporary protection from abroad or from a Finnish representation. Applications for family reunification may be considered, in particular, for non-Ukraine nationals with temporary protection in Ukraine. Section 6, Article 114 of the Aliens Act provides that a residence permit is issued to family members of a foreign national who has received temporary protection on the basis of a family tie if the sponsor resides in Finland or has been granted a residence permit to move to Finland and the applicant is not considered to be a threat to public policy, public security or public health. An overall assessment is carried out, taking into account the sponsor’s ability to lead a family life with the applicant in a third country in case exclusion applies. Moreover, due account is taken of the fact that there is no absolute obstacle to the sponsor’s return to his/her country of origin. A residence permit is granted subject to the condition that the foreign national has a secure means of subsistence. In addition, according to Section 6, Article 115 of the Aliens Act, a residence permit is issued to a relative other than the family member of a foreign national who has been granted temporary protection if the refusal to grant the residence permit would be unreasonable because the persons intend to continue a stable family life previously spent in Finland or because the relative is entirely dependent on the sponsor residing in Finland. For the overall assessment, the matters referred to in Article 114 are taken into account. The condition of subsistence also applies, unless a residence permit is issued to a foreign minor sibling of a minor child who has entered Finland alone, if the siblings have lived together and their parents are not alive or their location is not unknown. |
| Other | Pets: The Finnish Food Authority has shared information on pets traveling with refugees from Ukraine with their pets under force majeure circumstances and FAQ: Pets arriving from Ukraine. The Finnish Immigration Service provides places for pets in reception centres, where pets receive treatment in accordance with the Finnish Food Safety Authority's health guidelines. Transportation: People fleeing from Ukraine can use public transport free of charge. |
Article 25 of the Child Protection Act (417/2007) provides that reception centre staff are obliged to inform the municipal social welfare body without delay if, in the course of their duties, they become aware of a child whose needs for care, developmental conditions or personal conduct require a possible examination of the need for child protection. Once a child has been identified as being in need of child protection, he/she is entitled to receive services under the Child Protection Act (417/2007). When assessing the need for child protection, the adequacy of the services provided by the reception centre are assessed.
Unaccompanied children are typically accommodated in group homes but may also stay in private accommodation, for example with relatives. If an adult living with the child in private accommodation moves to a new address, they must notify the child's group home or reception centre. The notification must include the child's full name, date of birth, Finnish Immigration Service customer number and the new address, along with the adult’s contact details (name, phone number, and email). Notifications can be made by phone, in person or by post. Contact details for reception centers are available here.
Legal guardianship
The situation of unaccompanied minors is governed by the Act on the Reception of Applicants for International Protection and the Identification and Assistance of Victims of Human Trafficking, namely Chapter 5 which provides for representation of an unaccompanied child. A representative is appointed without delay to a beneficiary of temporary protection if the child is unaccompanied or another legal representative in Finland. The application to appoint a representative is made by the reception centre where the child is registered. Until a representative of the child is appointed, the head of the reception centre speaks on behalf of the best interests of the child.
Accommodation
A person who is under the age of 18 and has arrived in Finland alone to apply for asylum or temporary protection is accommodated at a reception centre for children, in a unit for minors. The child is accommodated in a group home, a support house (aged 16 years or more) or other accommodation for minors (Section 17 Act on the Reception of Applicants for International Protection and the Identification and Assistance of Victims of Human Trafficking). The operations of group homes and requirements for it are governed by the Child Protection Act (417/2007). For justified reasons, the child may also be accommodated with relatives in a reception centre for adults and families.
According to Section 18 (2) of the Act on the Reception of Applicants for International Protection and the Identification and Assistance of Victims of Human Trafficking, an unaccompanied minor may live in private accommodation under the conditions laid down by law. The head of the reception centre decides on the transfer of the unaccompanied child to private accommodation, after consulting the child and his/her representative and the social worker of the reception centre. The reception centre notifies the information and forwards the reports required by law to the social welfare body of the municipality of the place of residence.
Education
There is no restriction on access to education for people with a residence permit on the basis of temporary protection. Minors under temporary protection are not subject to compulsory education, as provided under the Act on Compulsory Education (1214/2020). However, under Article 14 of the Temporary Protection Directive, Member States are to allow minors under the age of 18 who are beneficiaries of temporary protection to access the education system under the same conditions as nationals of the host Member State.
The municipality of origin is not obliged to provide early childhood education for children with temporary protection. However, the municipality must provide early childhood education for a minor with temporary protection, for example when their guardian is working or studying. Early childhood education and care can also be provided to children with temporary protection if it is assessed to support the child’s well-being and learning.
Child beneficiaries of temporary protection have access to basic and pre-primary learning services. School health is an integral part of the school’s activities, and it is organised by municipalities. School health is a preventive activity, and the treatment of diseases is not part of school healthcare. If, for any reason, the child does not attend primary or pre-school education, healthcare services are provided by the reception centre.
Children
Article 25 of the Child Protection Act (417/2007) provides that reception centre staff are obliged to inform the municipal social welfare body without delay if, in the course of their duties, they become aware of a child whose needs for care, developmental conditions or personal conduct require a possible examination of the need for child protection. Once a child has been identified as being in need of child protection, he/she is entitled to receive services under the Child Protection Act. When assessing the need for child protection, the adequacy of the services provided by the reception centre are assessed.
Trafficking in human beings
The Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking is an authority that offers its clients advice and guidance, social services, healthcare services and safe accommodation.
n/a
Applicants and beneficiaries of temporary protection have the right to apply for international protection as specified in Section 111 of the Aliens Act.
If a person is granted temporary protection, the processing of their asylum application is suspended, unless
i) there is a justified reason for assessing the application; or
ii) proceedings have been initiated to remove the applicant from the country while the period of temporary protection is in force (Section 111(1) Aliens Act).
According to Section 111(2) of the Aliens Act, when the residence permit issued on the basis of temporary protection expires, the person receives a letter from the Finnish Immigration Service asking if the applicant wishes to resume the processing of the asylum application. The following situations may arise:
- To resume the processing of the asylum application, the applicant must inform the Finnish Immigration Service within the specified deadline. The Finnish Immigration Service will process the application as per the regular asylum procedure.
- If the applicant does not want to resume the processing of the asylum application or the applicant does not reply to the letter by the set deadline, the Finnish Immigration Service will issue a decision on the expiry of the asylum application. No appeal can be submitted against the expiry decision, and this will be stated in the decision.
- A decision on the expiry of the asylum application will also be made if the person cancels the asylum application or leaves Finland.
If an application for asylum was submitted, the person can also submit an application for temporary protection. Applications for temporary protection are processed at a considerably faster rate than asylum applications. The application for temporary protection must be made separately by visiting the police or a border control authority. An appeal is prohibited against a decision to grant a residence permit on the basis of temporary protection while an application for asylum is pending (Section 191(1), Item 5 Aliens Act).
For third-country nationals displaced from Ukraine, who are not Ukrainian nationals but who have had a permanent residence permit in Ukraine, the Finnish Immigration Service will investigate whether the person can return to the country of origin in safe and durable conditions. The person can be advised to also apply for international protection if, while processing the application for temporary protection, it cannot assess whether the applicant is able to return to the home country.