The Ministry of the Interior announced that the proposed amendments to the Aliens Act will be approved by the President on 28 February 2025 and the process of being granted temporary protection will be easier for beneficiaries and the relevant authorities. The Act on Amending the Aliens Act will enter into force on 5 March 2025. The Act amending the entry-into-force provision of the Act Temporarily Amending the Aliens Act will enter into force on 4 March 2025.
The following changes are expected:
- The validity of residence permits and residence permit cards issued to beneficiaries of temporary protection as proof of their right of residence will continue directly by law and will be valid for as long as the Government decision is valid.
- Temporary protection will continue to be granted to Ukrainian citizens, their family members and also to third-country nationals, holders of a permanent residence permit or of asylum in Ukraine.
- temporary protection will no longer be granted to those not falling under the abovementioned criteria - approximately 200 persons. Their status will end on 31 March 2025.
In terms of statistics, the ministry informed that:
- since 2022, a total of 79,000 requests for temporary protection were submitted.
- there are currently around 45,000 beneficiaries present in Finland - around 15,200 are registered in reception centers and about 30,000 displaced persons have been allocated to a municipality.
The Finnish Immigration Service also published information on the above planned changes to temporary protection on 3 March 2025.