What salary is required for a residence permit in Finland?
Ukrainians already working in Finland most often worry about one thing: whether their income is sufficient to obtain a residence permit. The direct answer: in 2026 the minimum salary for a residence permit in Finland is from EUR 1,600 per month gross, and this income may be formed from several official jobs at the same time.
International Law Firm ZAHIST advises clients on this very issue every week. Our experience shows that applicants who check their income structure in advance together with a lawyer receive a Migri decision without requests for additional certificates, whereas applicants acting on their own often make mistakes when calculating part-time employment or benefits.
Minimum amount of wages for obtaining a permit
The amount of income checked by Migri must cover the entire period of validity of the permit, not only the moment of filing the application. In 2026 the threshold is EUR 1,600 per month gross for an employed person’s permit.
This figure is reviewed every year, so before filing an application it is worth clarifying the current amount on the official Migri website, as even a small shortfall may become grounds for refusal.
For comparison: in previous years the threshold was lower, so applicants who rely on outdated figures from old articles or forums risk filing an application with insufficient confirmed income.
Which payments count toward income and which do not
Not every payment on a payslip is counted by Migri toward proof of income. Understanding this difference helps avoid mistakes even before filing the application.
Incorrectly including ineligible payments in the calculation is one of the most common reasons why an applicant receives a request for additional documents from Migri.
| Type of payment | Counted toward income |
| Basic monthly salary under the employment contract | yes |
| Income from several official jobs | yes, in aggregate |
| Allowances for evening or night work | no |
| One-off bonuses and premiums | no |
| Non-cash benefits (car, housing) | yes, but not more than 50% of the amount |
Non-cash benefits, such as a company car or housing from the employer, are allowed, but their share may not exceed half of the total salary amount — the remainder must be covered by a cash payment.
Income from several sources: how part-time employment is calculated
If the applicant works in several positions or on a part-time basis, the salary for a residence permit in Finland is calculated as the sum of all official income for the month, and not separately for each position.
The main condition is that each employment contract must provide for a clear, agreed work schedule, and not an arbitrary number of hours at the employer’s discretion.
Contracts with hourly pay: why they are not suitable
A contract without a guaranteed minimum of hours (zero-hours or on-demand) does not meet the permit requirements, even if the actual monthly earnings formally exceed the threshold.
The reason is simple: Migri assesses not only the amount on the payslip, but also the stability of employment for the entire period of validity of the permit, so the absence of a fixed schedule is treated as a risk of unstable income.
Taxes and mandatory deductions from wages
Migri assesses the gross amount stated in the employment contract, and not the amount that actually arrives in the bank account after taxes are paid.
However, it is worth understanding that from the gross salary the employer withholds income tax, pension insurance contributions (TyEL), and unemployment insurance.
Therefore, when planning a budget after relocation, one should focus on the net (“take-home”) amount, which is usually 20–25% lower than the gross salary stated in the contract.
Income check when extending a permit
When filing an application for an extended permit, Migri retrospectively checks whether the salary actually paid corresponded to the declared terms of employment throughout the entire previous period of residence.
Our experience shows that clients who keep payslips and income certificates every month pass this check significantly faster than those who gather documents only shortly before filing the application.
Income requirements depending on the type of residence permit
The income threshold differs depending on the ground for obtaining the permit, so it is important to follow the requirements for your specific type of application, and not general figures from the internet.
| Type of permit | Income requirement |
| Employed person (type “A” permit) | from EUR 1,600 per month gross |
| Specialist or entrepreneur | individual calculation, depending on the business plan or position |
| Permanent permit (P) | income from work, pension savings, or unemployment insurance, without basic social assistance |
For a permanent permit, the amount of income alone is not enough: Migri also checks the source of funds, as basic social assistance (toimeentulotuki) is not considered proof of self-sufficiency.
Probationary period and seasonal work: whether income is counted
Income during a probationary period is counted in the same way as after it ends, if the employment contract provides for permanent employment and a fixed rate.
Seasonal work with a limited contract term requires separate consideration: Migri checks whether the income covers the entire requested permit period, and not only the season of active employment.
In such cases we recommend agreeing in advance with the employer on the possibility of extending the contract or moving to a permanent position, in order to avoid a gap in confirmed income.
Typical mistakes when proving income
The most common mistake is submitting payslips without an official employment contract that confirms the agreed schedule and position.
Another widespread problem is including in the calculation allowances for night or evening work, which Migri excludes from the main income amount.
Our experience shows that clients who seek advice even before signing an employment contract agree terms of employment so that the income immediately meets Migri’s requirements, and this substantially speeds up obtaining the permit.
What to do if income is insufficient
If the current salary is below the threshold, there are several lawful ways to resolve the situation, and each should be considered in light of the applicant’s specific circumstances.
- Add official part-time employment at another enterprise in the same industry.
- Agree with the employer on a revision of the rate or work schedule.
- Consider a permit on another ground, for example for a specialist or entrepreneur.
- Seek an individual consultation to check alternative options for proving income.
How to prove income when filing an application
Proof of income takes place in several consecutive steps, and each of them affects the speed of Migri’s decision.
- The employer completes the terms of employment, stating the schedule and the amount of pay.
- The applicant attaches payslips or a certificate of planned salary to the application in Enter Finland.
- Migri checks the income amount against the minimum threshold in force at the time of filing the application.
- If necessary, Migri sends a request for additional documents confirming the stability of income.
Do the same income requirements apply to family reunification
When a spouse and children join the applicant, the income of the main permit holder must cover not only their own needs, but also the living costs of family members.
Migri calculates an additional income threshold for each family member separately, so the salary for a residence permit in Finland in the case of family reunification is usually higher than the basic threshold of EUR 1,600.
Our experience shows that applicants who plan family reunification in advance agree with the employer on a pay rise or additional workload even before filing the first application.
Documents that confirm the amount of wages
Migri accepts several types of documents to prove income, and their full list depends on whether a first application or an extended permit is being filed.
- A signed employment contract specifying the position, working schedule, and rate of pay.
- Terms of employment completed by the employer via Enter Finland for Employers.
- Payslips for recent months for an extended permit.
- A certificate from the Incomes Register on wages actually paid.
Related issues when transferring from temporary protection to a residence permit
The income requirement is closely linked to the overall transfer from temporary protection to a Type A permit through employment — we described the full process and the list of documents in more detail in the article “How to obtain a residence permit in Finland through employment?”.
After obtaining a Type A permit, you should promptly complete registration in the DVV system and Kotikunta, and after four years of continuous residence consider a permanent residence permit (PMP).
Expert view: how to avoid a refusal on income grounds
An analysis of our cases shows that most refusals due to insufficient income occur not because of a genuine lack of funds, but because the employer incorrectly completed the terms of employment.
Another common reason is that applicants submit payslips for an incomplete period, whereas Migri expects a continuous income history for the entire term of the previous permit.
We recommend reviewing the terms of employment together with a lawyer before signing the employment contract, so that the wording of the schedule and pay rate is aligned with Migri’s requirements.
