Amendments to the Reception Act provide new obligations for reception clients as of 12 June 2026

With the entry into force of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the Reception Conditions Directive will be implemented through changes in the Reception Act, along with amendments to the Aliens Act. 

The amendments provide for new obligations for reception centres clients as of 12 June 2026 and equally affect asylum applicants and beneficiaries of temporary protection.

1. Identification 

Asylum applicants have the obligation to identify themselves at the reception centre and to duly update their contact details, except persons who are under 18 years old or adults who are working. Asylum applicants will have to identify themselves at their reception centres 2-4 times a month and beneficiaries of temporary protection only once a month. 

Identification entails an in-person visit to the reception centre where applicants will present their reception card for identification. This process can be done when an applicant pays a visit to the reception centre for other matters, visits a nurse or a public health nurse by appointment. The reception centre will inform an applicant when they need to identify themselves for the first time.

A failure to comply with the identification obligation or if an applicant cannot be contacted may result into a reduction of the reception allowance by 20% or an end of reception services.

2. Finnish society course

The Finnish society course is mandatory for completion by all applicants over 18 years old, otherwise the reception allowance can be reduced by 20%. The reception centre will duly provide information on how the course can be completed. Work and study activities will no longer be organised by the reception centre.

3. Rules and regulations 

Same general rules and regulations are governing all reception centres, aiming to ensure public order and security in each centre and everyday safety for staff and clients. Clients of reception centres are provided with information about the rules and regulations, which they must abide. Non-compliance, in a repetitive and serious manner, can result in a reduction by 20% of the reception allowance or withdrawal of reception services in serious cases. 

4. Income information 

A client fee for reception services can be charged for applicants who have regular funds or income. Therefore, reception clients must provide information about all income and funds for them and their families and notify any changes in the family situation. A failure to provide information may result in consequences for the granting of the reception allowance and client fees for reception services. The client fee can be charged retroactively for the last three months. Unaccompanied minors are exempt from the client fee.

5. Reception allowance and spending allowance

There are no changes in the reception allowance for unaccompanied minors. The Finnish Immigration Service provides information under the dedicated page Reception allowance. 

According to the new rules applicable as of 12 June 2026, the reception allowance can be reduced by 20% if a reception client fails to comply with one of the following obligations, without any reasonable grounds: update contact details; completion of the Finnish society course; identification obligation; duty to cooperate with the authorities; when the applicant has left a specific geographical area in which they have been ordered to stay, or do not stay at a specific reception centre as required; repeatedly and serious disturbance of public order or security (break the rules and regulations) at the reception centre.

Additionally, the reception allowance can be reduced if reception services were not ended and the person has submitted a subsequent application, or they do not have the right to remain on the Finnish territory.

6. Withdrawal of reception services 

Starting with 12 June 2026, material reception conditions can be withdrawn if: 

• An applicant does not cooperate during a procedure on removal from Finland.
• An applicant continues to break the rules and regulations of the reception centre after the reception allowance has been reduced.
• A decision to be transferred to another EU Member State has been adopted under the AMMR.

However, even when reception services are withdrawn, the person will have the right to receive reception services which will be limited. For example, the person will no longer have the right to receive a reception allowance.

7. Changes in the duration of reception services

As of 1^st September 2026, changes will impact the duration of reception services. Precisely, reception centre clients must move to a municipality after a specific period:

• Asylum applicants who have been granted a residence permit will have their reception services terminated three months after the date on which the residence permit was issued, and once they gained the right to apply for a municipality of residence.
• Beneficiaries of temporary protection will have their reception services terminated three months after the date on which they acquired the right to apply for a municipality of residence.
• Reception services will be terminated on 1 September 2026 for those who already have a residence permit and the right to move to a municipality.
• The changes on the time limits will not apply to unaccompanied minors. They will receive reception services until they move to a municipality.
• In addition, asylum applicants who have lost the right to remain on the territory of Finland, will have their reception services terminated within the time limit. A subsequent application will no longer automatically give applicants the right to receive reception services. EU citizens do not have the right to receive reception services.