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    Finland-based consultingOfficial-source aware

    Work permit and work-based residence permit in Finland

    For employees, specialists and employers who need to choose the correct Finnish work-based residence route and prepare the employment and employer evidence before filing.

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    Case-specific reviewDocument and risk reviewNo outcome guarantee
    Work permit and work-based residence permit in Finland

    Clarify the situation

    We review the goal, status, timing, family/work/company context and available documents together.

    Build the evidence logic

    We explain which documents matter, why they are needed and what each should prove.

    Explain the risks

    We identify risks linked to missing evidence, income, timing, the wrong route or authority expectations.

    Define next steps

    We turn the next filing, evidence, strategy or professional-support step into a practical plan.

    Service scope

    What do we assess in this service?

    Start with the correct permit category

    TTOL, specialist and EU Blue Card are different residence-permit routes. The correct route depends on the actual duties, salary, professional qualifications and employment terms. A job title alone does not decide the category.

    TTOL: residence permit for an employed person

    For TTOL, salary must comply with the applicable collective agreement and the total gross salary must be at least EUR 1,600 per month in 2026. The EUR 1,600 floor applies to first and extended TTOL permits. Migri can also review whether previously reported employment terms were actually fulfilled.

    • Income may come from several employment relationships
    • Part-time employment can qualify if the income and other requirements are met
    • Zero-hours and on-demand contracts do not meet the regular minimum-hours requirement for TTOL
    • Evening and night supplements are excluded from the EUR 1,600 salary floor
    • Up to 50% of the assessed TTOL salary may consist of taxable fringe benefits

    Specialist permit

    A specialist must have confirmed employment in duties requiring special expertise. In 2026, Migri requires a gross salary of at least EUR 3,937 per month. Fringe benefits are not counted towards this threshold. The applicant must normally have a higher-education degree or otherwise demonstrate the special expertise required for the work.

    • The first specialist permit can be granted for a maximum of two years
    • Specialist applications can be eligible for Fast Track
    • The employer must supplement the application with the terms of employment

    EU Blue Card

    The EU Blue Card is a separate highly qualified employment route. The 2026 salary threshold is EUR 3,937 gross per month. The application also has specific requirements concerning higher professional qualifications, the employment relationship and the duration of the work. Do not treat the Blue Card as simply another name for a specialist permit.

    Employer responsibilities

    • Provide accurate terms of employment through Enter Finland for Employers or the applicable form
    • Make sure salary and working hours match the applicable route and collective agreement
    • Provide company and employment information requested by Migri
    • Respond to additional-information requests within the deadline

    What ENB delivers

    • Route comparison before filing
    • Applicant and employer document checklist
    • Employment-term and salary review against the selected permit route
    • Enter Finland file structure
    • Support with additional-information requests

    What this service is not

    • It is not a recruitment or job-finding service
    • It does not guarantee a residence permit
    • It does not replace the employer's statutory duties or Migri's assessment
    Knowledge Centre

    Detailed guides related to this service

    Use ENB's official-source reviewed guides before assessing the consulting scope or while preparing your documents.

    All guides

    Employment Contracts in Finland

    A guide to checking role, pay, hours, probation, fixed/open-ended terms and collective-agreement coverage before starting work in Finland.

    Open guide

    Salary and Payslips in Finland

    A basic Finland guide to gross pay, tax withholding, employee deductions, net salary and reading a payslip.

    Open guide

    Tax Card in Finland

    An introductory guide to the Finnish tax card, income estimates, withholding and MyTax for people starting work in Finland.

    Open guide

    If you need a calculator or practical checklist, use the free tools as well.

    Open tools
    FAQ

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the TTOL minimum salary in 2026?

    The total gross salary must be at least EUR 1,600 per month in 2026 and must also comply with the applicable collective agreement.

    What is the 2026 specialist salary threshold?

    Migri requires at least EUR 3,937 gross per month in 2026. Fringe benefits are not counted towards the specialist threshold.

    Is the EU Blue Card the same as the specialist permit?

    No. They are separate highly skilled routes with their own eligibility conditions, even though the 2026 salary threshold is EUR 3,937 for both.

    Can a zero-hours contract qualify for TTOL?

    Migri states that a zero-hours or on-demand contract does not meet the regular minimum-working-hours requirement for TTOL.

    Official sources and content review

    Last checked: 2026-08-23

    ENB Consulting is not a public authority. This page provides general information and explains the consulting scope. Case-specific assessment is separate and final decisions are made by the competent authority. No outcome is guaranteed.