Legal services in Helsinki
Comprehensive legal services in Helsinki cover extension of temporary protection (tilapäinen suojelu), arranging Kela benefits, family reunification, starting a business, and court representation — all of this can be handled through a single representative office.
International Law Firm "Zahist" has a representative office in Finland and has for many years assisted Ukrainians in Helsinki with legalization and the protection of their rights. Our experience shows that clients who seek advice immediately after relocating face refusals from the Finnish Immigration Service less often than those who try to navigate the procedures on their own.
Extension of temporary protection: the status is valid until 4 March 2028
The Council of the EU extended temporary protection for Ukrainians until 4 March 2028 by a decision of 30 July 2026, and the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) will separately announce the procedure for extending permits already issued on the basis of this status.
Until new clarifications from Migri appear, current residence permits based on temporary protection remain in force, and applicants should monitor official announcements so as not to miss the deadline for filing an extension application.
Our experience shows that clients who seek advice in advance, rather than after their current permit expires, go through the extension procedure with significantly less stress.
Kela benefits and vastaanottoraha for Ukrainians
Ukrainians placed in the reception system receive vastaanottoraha (vastaanottoraha) — a living allowance, the amount of which depends on the recipient’s age, whether meals are provided at the reception centre, and the composition of the family.
For a single adult living alone, the maximum amount is about EUR 316 per month; however, the exact payment is calculated individually for each situation.
Kela has already paid Ukrainians almost half a billion euros in social support since the start of the war, and in the past year alone about 39 thousand Ukrainian citizens received benefits.
Employment and starting a business: the right to a toiminimi without an additional permit
A Migri decision on temporary protection in itself confers the right to work in Finland, so a separate work permit is not required for employment.
Ukrainians with temporary protection may also register as sole traders (toiminimi) — permanent residence in Finland or in the EEA is sufficient for this purpose, and citizenship does not affect registration.
Registration is free of charge only with the tax authority (Verohallinto), or for a fee with simultaneous entry in the Trade Register, which provides additional legal protection for the business name.
Family reunification in Finland
Temporary protection may be granted to a spouse, guardian, or child of a person already under protection in Finland if the family relationship was established in Ukraine before 24 February 2022.
- The spouse of an applicant recognised as a beneficiary of temporary protection.
- A minor child of the applicant or a child under the applicant’s guardianship.
- The guardian of a minor applicant already residing in Finland.
Relatives are not required to apply at the same time as the principal applicant — they may arrive later and apply for temporary protection after arriving in Finland.
Finnish language courses and integration
Studying Finnish or Swedish through municipal courses significantly improves employment prospects and facilitates a future transition to another type of residence permit.
Enrolment in free integration courses usually takes place through local employment services, and places are limited, so an application should be submitted soon after obtaining status.
Recognition of Ukrainian diplomas through Opetushallitus
The Finnish National Agency for Education (Opetushallitus) acts as Finland’s ENIC-NARIC centre and decides on the recognition of foreign qualifications for a number of regulated professions.
The agency has prepared a separate information package on the higher education system in Ukraine to make it easier for Finnish educational institutions to assess the qualifications of Ukrainian applicants and professionals.
A recognition decision is required primarily for professions in education, rescue services, and law, whereas for many other occupations the employer decides independently.
Transition to a permanent residence permit after temporary protection
Temporary protection is designed for a limited period, so clients with stable employment and knowledge of Finnish should in advance explore alternative residence permits — based on employment or on family grounds.
Transition to another status usually requires meeting the conditions of the specific residence permit category, so document preparation should begin several months before the current status expires.
Court representation and protection of Ukrainians’ rights in Helsinki
A Migri refusal to extend status, a dispute with an employer, or a Kela refusal of benefits can be challenged administratively and then, if necessary, in an administrative court.
We have helped close dozens of such cases, and our experience shows that clients who seek representation immediately after receiving a refusal achieve a review of the decision far more often than those who delay seeking help.
Housing and kotikunta in Helsinki
Obtaining kotikunta (kotikunta) — home municipality registration — opens access to Helsinki municipal services on equal terms with local residents, including joining the queue for social housing.
Due to high demand for rental housing in the capital region, finding one’s own accommodation often takes longer than in other Finnish cities, so many Ukrainians remain in the reception system for longer.
Our experience shows that timely updating of the address in the population register helps avoid delays with benefits and confusion when extending status.
Healthcare for Ukrainians in Finland
Ukrainians with temporary protection receive access to public healthcare through municipal and regional health services on equal terms with permanent residents of Finland.
A doctor’s appointment is arranged through the local health centre at the place of registration, and emergency care is available regardless of registration status in a particular municipality.
Typical mistakes of Ukrainians in Helsinki
The most common mistake is waiting for an automatic extension of status without monitoring official Migri announcements, as a result of which clients learn about new requirements too late.
Another widespread problem is registering a toiminimi without first checking the tax implications, which leads to unexpected payments after business activity has already begun.
Our experience shows that clients who clarify the conditions with a lawyer in advance, rather than relying on acquaintances’ advice, complete all procedures faster and without unnecessary corrections.
Which documents should be prepared in advance
For most applications — status extension, benefit claims, or family reunification — the same basic set of documents is useful.
- A valid international passport and the Migri decision on temporary protection.
- Proof of registration of place of residence in Finland.
- Documents on family composition with a translation into Finnish or English.
- Income certificates when applying in relation to work, business, or benefits.
Translations and certified copies prepared in advance significantly shorten the processing time of an application with Migri or Kela.
School and children’s adaptation in Helsinki
Children of Ukrainian refugees are required to attend school on equal terms with Finnish children, and preparatory education with intensive study of Finnish or Swedish is provided for newly arrived pupils.
School enrolment is handled through the City of Helsinki Education Division, and due to high demand for places in preparatory classes, an application should be submitted immediately after registration of place of residence.
Our experience shows that parents who contact the school before completing other everyday formalities obtain a place for their child noticeably faster.
An expert view on long-term status planning
An analysis of our cases shows that clients with stable employment and progress in learning Finnish should explore alternative residence permits in advance, without waiting for official clarifications on the fate of temporary protection after 2028.
We recommend reviewing your strategy at least once a year and carefully monitoring Migri announcements, as the rules for extending status may change before the protection period itself expires.
International Law Firm "Zahist" has a representative office in Finland and provides legal services in Helsinki across the full range of matters — from extending temporary protection to starting a business and court representation.
Every situation has its own specifics — family composition, source of income, plans for long-term residence in Finland — so a preliminary consultation helps choose the right strategy from the outset.
The earlier a client seeks legal services in Helsinki, the less time is spent correcting mistakes and making repeated applications to Finnish authorities.
