Finland

The following categories of people are eligible for temporary protection in Finland:

• Ukrainian citizens unable to return to Ukraine due to the Russian attack;
• 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 a European Union 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.
  • Family members do not need to apply at the same time. They can, for example, come to Finland later and apply for temporary protection then.
  • If the family member is a citizen of a European Union Member State, or a citizen of Liechtenstein or Switzerland, he or she can apply for EU registration.
• Citizens of countries that have not joined the European Union or the Schengen Agreement and stateless persons who have had a residence permit in Ukraine on the basis of international protection. When applying for temporary protection, they must show proof of their residence permit issued on the basis of international protection, for example a certificate of refugee status issued by Ukraine;
• Citizens of countries that have not joined the European Union or the Schengen Agreement and stateless persons who have had a permanent residence permit in Ukraine and who cannot return to their home country in safe and durable conditions. When applying for temporary protection, they must show proof of their permanent residence permit, for example a residence permit card.
  • If the applicant for temporary protection has resided in Ukraine with a permanent residence permit, the Finnish Immigration Service will investigate whether he or she can return to his or her home country in safe and durable conditions. If we while processing the application for temporary protection cannot assess whether the applicant is able to return to his or her home country, the advice for the applicant to apply for asylum.

1. Once you have arrived in Finland, visit the police or a border control authority and inform them of your intention to apply for temporary protection. Applying is free of charge.
   • It is recommended that you apply for temporary protection even if you have already submitted an application for asylum. Applications for temporary protection are processed at a considerably faster rate than asylum applications. 
   • Show the police or the border control authority your identity document, such as a biometric passport issued by your country of nationality, or a Ukrainian internal passport. Show also the birth certificates of your children if you have any.
2. The police or border control authority registers your application for temporary protection and makes a record of
   • your personal details and place of residence
   • details related to your arrival in Finland and the route you took to travel here
   • your family members’ details. You will also need to provide a photo, fingerprints and a signature.
     • If the details registered by the police or the border authorities must be supplemented, the Finnish Immigration Service will ask you for additional details.
3. Following registration, the Finnish Immigration Service makes a decision on your application.
   • Making the decision requires an identity document, such as a biometric passport issued by your country of nationality, or a Ukrainian internal passport. If you do not have an identity document, apply for one at the embassy of Ukraine in Finland. Tell the embassy that you have applied for temporary protection and that you need an identity document for the application. Please note that the passports of Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic are not approved travel documents in Finland because Finland has not recognised the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk. 
   • If you have applied for asylum in addition to temporary protection, you are not required to obtain an identity document from the authorities of your home country.
   • You will be heard before the decision is made only if the Finnish Immigration Service considers there to be a particular reason to do so.
4. You will be served with the decision.
   • The Finnish Immigration Service will send you the decision by post. The decision will be sent to the reception centre at which you are staying. If you live in private accommodation, the decision will be sent to the address which you have given as your Finnish address. If your address in Finland changes, it is important that you notify your reception centre without delay. If you already are a resident of a municipality, make sure that your contact details are up to date in the Finnish Population Information System. For instructions on how to update your address and other contact details, see section ‘Make sure that the Finnish Immigration Service has your current address and telephone number’.
   • In cases when you are not served with the decision by post, the police will inform you of the decision.

If you have applied for or been granted temporary protection, you may get reception allowance. Reception allowance is money intended for the immediate basic needs of you and your family. You can be granted reception allowance if you or your family members do not have enough income and funds to cover your immediate basic needs, such as food and clothing. The allowance for persons living alone (meals are not included) constitues 300 euros, with meals provided by the reception centre the allowance constitutes 88 euros.

Reception allowance is not granted automatically. You can apply for the allowance from your own reception centre by filling in an application form. Your reception centre can give you the application form and instructions for applying.

The reception allowance consists of the basic component and the supplementary reception allowance.

The basic component of the reception allowance is intended for clothing, minor health care costs, expenses on the use of local transport, and telephone costs, for example. The basic component is also intended for food costs if the reception centre does not offer daily meals.

You cannot be granted temporary protection in more than one EU country at a time.

If you have a valid residence permit on the basis of temporary protection in another EU country and you apply for temporary protection in Finland, you may receive a negative decision on your application. However, possible family members residing in Finland and family unity will be taken into account when your application is decided.

If you receive a negative decision, you must immediately return to the EU country that has issued your valid residence permit on the basis of temporary protection.

If you wish to stay in Finland, you can apply for a residence permit. 

If you leave Finland and do not intend to return to Finland, you need to cancel your residence permit or application for temporary protection in Finland. If you later return to Finland, you can make a new application for temporary protection. You can find more information on the Finnish Immigration Service’s website.

You are allowed to travel to Ukraine if you hold a residence permit based on temporary protection, and there is no limit to how long you can stay there.

However, if you are still awaiting a decision on your temporary protection application, it is recommended that you remain in Finland until a decision is made. Even if your visa-free period in Finland ends or your visa expires during this wait, you are permitted to stay in Finland if you have applied for temporary protection there.

Keep in mind, if you have applied for asylum in Finland and leave the country, even briefly, the Finnish Immigration Service will consider your asylum application expired.

Find more information on the Finnish Immigration Service’s website.

If you decide to leave Finland permanently, you can cancel your temporary residence permit by sending a written notice/letter to the Finnish Immigration Service indicating that you want to cancel your permit. Everyone over the age of 18 must make their own declaration. You can also cancel your residence permit by personally informing the authorities. Notify an official at the Finnish Immigration Service, the police, border authorities, or the director or assistant director at the reception center that you wish to cancel your residence permit. An officer will assist you in completing the written notice. You can read more on Finnish Immigration Service website.

If you decide to return to Ukraine permanently and you receive reception allowance, you will no longer receive reception allowance. You should inform your reception center about your return.

If you decide to return permanently, you can deregister and inform the Finnish Immigration Service by writing a written notice and then emailing a photo or scan of the notice to the Finnish Immigration Service’s email: [email protected]

In the notice, you should include your signature, your customer number, name, date of birth, and nationality. You should also indicate why you wish to cancel the permit and include the new address you are moving to. You can find more information on Finnish Immigration Service website.

You can also do this in person by personally informing the authorities. Notify an official at the Finnish Immigration Service, the police, border authorities, or the director or assistant director at the reception center that you wish to cancel your residence permit. An officer will assist you in completing the written notice. You can read more information on Finnish Immigration Service website.

You should also inform the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) within one week of the move. You can find instructions here.

The Tax Administration authority will automatically receive information about your move from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. If you have paid taxes in Finland, you should also report a new foreign bank account number so that the Tax Administration can pay any tax refunds you may receive. You can do that by submitting your new account number in MyTax or by filling in a form.

You can inform the authorities online.

If you decide to stay in Ukraine permanently, you can deregister and inform the Finnish Immigration Service by writing a written notice and then emailing a photo or scan of the notice to the Finnish Immigration Service’s email: [email protected]

In the notice, you should include your signature, your customer number, name, date of birth, and nationality. You should also indicate why you wish to cancel the permit and include the new address you are moving to. You can find more information here.

You should also inform the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV). You can find instructions here.

The Tax Administration authority will automatically receive information about your move from DVV. If you have paid taxes in Finland, you should also report a new foreign bank account number so that the Tax Administration can pay any tax refunds you may receive. You can do that by submitting your new account number in MyTax or by filling in a form.

Finland does not provide return assistance for beneficiaries of temporary protection, however, you might receive support with tranportation. Please email [email protected] or call the number 050 413 8625 for receiving advice on assisted returns. 

Yes, if you wish to return to Finland after canceling your temporary protection status, you can re-enter and apply for temporary protection again.

Please note that the Temporary Protection Directive can only provide temporary protection for a maximum of four years and cannot be extended after 4 March 2026. The government is investigating what rules should apply for those who cannot return to Ukraine after that date. Therefore, if you decide to return to Finland after 4 March 2026, other rules might apply.

Documents that can be used to enter Ukraine:

• Biometric passport (passport for traveling abroad)
• Diplomatic or service passport
• Valid child’s travel document
• Crew member ID card/seaman ID card
• Certificate for return to Ukraine

If your biometric passport has expired, you can extend it at the Ukrainian embassy. Please see below contact information for the Ukrainian embassy in Helsinki:

Ukrainian Embassy in Helsinki

Address: Vähäniityntie 9, 00570, Helsinki, Finland

Tel:+358-92-28-90-00
E-mail: [email protected]

To return to Ukraine you will need to obtain a certificate for return or other suitable identification documents. Please see below contact information for the Ukrainian embassy in Helsinki:

Ukrainian Embassy in Helsinki

Address: Vähäniityntie 9, 00570, Helsinki, Finland

Tel: +358-92-28-90-00

E-mail: [email protected]

If you are not a citizen of Ukraine and you are staying in Finland under temporary protection, you can return to Ukraine using your residence permit in Ukraine. If your residence permanent permit in Ukraine has expired, you can extend this document at the Ukrainian Embassy.

Please see below contact information for the Ukrainian Embassy in Helsinki:

Ukrainian Embassy in Helsinki

Address: Vähäniityntie 9, 00570, Helsinki, Finland

Tel: +358-92-28-90-00

E-mail: [email protected]

You should inform the school principal that you are withdrawing the enrollment of your child and inform where the child will be enrolled. Ask for an official document acknowledging your child’s educational achievement that will facilitate recognition of the qualifications in Ukraine. More information on what information the document should include can be found on the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science’s webpage.

If you are a child living in the Finland without your parents or other family members, please discuss your wish to return to Ukraine with your contact person or guardian. If you are not saying in a reception facility, but have been settled in a municipality, the child welfare services are responsible of evaluating your needs. Please contact your Wellbeing Services County for further information. You can find contact information and links to websites for all Finnish Wellbeing Services Counties here.

Remember that airlines and other service providers may set rules whether to allow or not unaccompanied minors to travel on their own.

However, in general, children are subject to the same entry and exit control as adults, as such, they will need an identity document valid for travelling. Therefore, children Ukrainian citizens seeking information on entry requirements are encouraged to contact nearest Ukrainian embassy or consulate. Please see below contact information to the Ukrainian embassy in Helsinki:Ukrainian Embassy in Helsinki

Address: Vähäniityntie 9, 00570, Helsinki, Finland

Tel: +358-92-28-90-00

E-mail: [email protected]

Yes, in Finland, every patient has the right to receive copies of their medical record which can include information on all your medical visits, diagnostics, medical treatments, nursing care, and other type of clinical information.

Those covered by a reception centre should contact their reception centre and ask for advice on how to receive copies of your health records.

Those with a Finnish personal identity code and means of identification (online banking codes, a mobile certificate, or an electronic ID card) can see their health records in the online service MyKanta. In MyKanta, you can view your public and social welfare and healthcare records. You can also request copies of your medical records from your treatment provider.

You will need to obtain a disability certificate issued in Ukraine. It can be done on arrival or remotely – please check the instructions on the governmental portal. 

Please note that even if your disability certificate obtained in Ukraine has expired, the document is automatically extended and is considered valid until 6 months after the end of martial law in Ukraine.

To make sure that the Tax Administration knows about your move, you should first inform the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV). You can find instructions here. The Tax Administration authority will automatically receive information about your move from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.

If you have paid taxes in Finland, you should also report a new foreign bank account number to the Tax Administration so that the Tax Administration can pay any tax refunds you may receive. You can do that by submitting your new account number in MyTax or by filling in a form.

Regarding your tax obligations, you should contact the Tax Administration and ask about your obligations after moving from Finland. The phone number for international taxation is +358 29 497 024, open from Monday to Friday between 9 AM and 4 PM.

If you decide to return to Ukraine permanently, you may want to close your Finnish bank account. Even an unused account may charge you for costs. In Finland, depending on the bank, different rules apply for closing a bank account. Some may allow you to close your account online and others may require you to contact your bank in person. It is good to reach out to your bank and ask which rules apply.

If you have received assistance from Kela (the Finnish social insurance authority) and return to Finland within 6 months, you may still be eligible for your assistance.

If you decide to move from Finland permanently and you have received assistance from Kela, your right to assistance will end on the date of your move. In some situations, you may still be eligible for assistance even though you would live outside Finland for over 6 months. Find more on InfoFinland webpage.

Whether you move temporarily or permanently, you should inform Kela. You can do that by filling this form.

After filling in the form, you should mail it to the address below:

Kansaneläkelaitos

Kansainvälisten asioiden keskus

PL 78

FI-00381 Helsinki

Finland

You can also notify Kela of the move by phone or by visiting a customer service point. You can call Kela and ask questions from Kela’s phone number for international cases: +358 20 634 0200 from Monday and Friday between 10 AM to 3 PM.

During the martial law in Ukraine the procedure of entry with pets is simplified.  The pet must have:

• An identification document issued by the EU member state – pet passport or international veterinary certificate.
• Microchip
• Vaccination against rabies.

For more information, please visit State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection.

You can also find general information on regulations and advice when traveling with pets on the website of the Finnish Food authority.

Yes, you can. Ukrainian citizens who are under temporary protection in EU countries have the right to use valid Ukrainian driving licenses without the need to exchange them for the entire period of this protection. These rules are mandatory for all EU countries and directly applicable.

Temporary protection for Ukrainians has been extended until March 4, 2027.

It is recommended to always carry documents confirming the temporary protection status with you.

(Source: Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)