Hiring international talent

To be able to work in Finland, an international expert must have both a residence permit and the right to work. The Finnish Immigration Service's website explains how employers can check their residence and work permits(https://migri.fi/tyonantajan-rooli-ja-velvollisuudet#tyoskentelyoikeus ).

Please also note that the employer is obliged to keep, and if necessary be able to show, information on the international worker's right to work. So take a photo or copies of the necessary documents and keep them in a safe place.

If the international talent to be recruited already lives in Finland, he or she is likely to have the necessary permits in place and the recruitment process may be faster in this respect. However, it is the employer's responsibility to ensure and document things, with similar obligations as if the employee were coming to the country for the first time.

For more information and guidance on work and residence permits, and the employer's role and responsibilities, see the Work in Finland website: https://www.workinfinland.com/fi/tyonantajat/rekrytoi/tyonteko-oikeus-oleskelulupa/

You can also find more information on hiring a foreign worker on the Finnish Occupational Safety and Health Administration's online service: https://tyosuojelu.fi/tyosuhde/ulkomainen-tyontekija

In the Immigration Service's Enter Finland service, as an employer you can complete your employee's application and follow the permit application process. For more information about the service, visit the Finnish Immigration Service's website: https://migri.fi/tyonantajan-enter-finland. You can log in to the service at: https://enterfinland.fi/eServices.

Employment legislation includes the Employment Contracts Act, the Working Hours Act, the Annual Holidays Act and the Non-Discrimination Act. Labour law applies to all employers and must be respected by both employers and employees. The Ministry of Employment and the Economy is responsible for preparing and developing labour legislation. Employees' working conditions are also governed by, among other things, collective agreements in various sectors.

The latest labour legislation can be found on the website of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy: https://tem.fi/tyolainsaadanto2

The Regional State Administrative Agencies (AVI) are responsible for implementing, guiding and supervising Finnish legislation. The nearest offices in the Central Savo region are located in Kuopio and Mikkeli. For more information on the services and activities of the Regional State Administrative Agencies, please visit: https://avi.fi/etusivu

As a foreign worker in Finland, the Occupational Safety and Health Authority has produced a guide in 18 languages. The guide contains information on issues such as pay, working hours and holidays and can be used to help workers familiarise themselves with Finnish working life: https://tyosuojelu.fi/tietoa-meista/julkaisut/oppaat/ulkomaalaisena-tyontekijana-suomessa

A good information website that provides information in many languages about working in Finland and can also be used to help you familiarise yourself with the country is infoFinland.fi. https://www.infofinland.fi/fi

There are also sections of the Aliens Act that concern the employer. The Act applies to the entry, exit, residence and employment of foreign nationals in Finland. The Act can be found in the Finlex legal database: https://www.finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/2004/301. Tiedotteen lakiin tehdyistä viimeisimmistä muutoksista löydät täältä: https://tyosuojelu.fi/documents/154017715/168016659/Tyopaikkatiedote_02_2023_ulkomaalaislaki_muutokset_FI.pdf/e5ee4666-822c-ed94-9677-59fdc9748760?t=1737619411800

Model employment contract in Finnish:

Link to the Finnish template

Link to the English version of the Employment Contract Template:

Link to the English template

Link to the template for the Swedish version of the employment contract:

Link to the Swedish template
 

Financial support is also available for recruiting international talent. Business Finland's Talent funding can be used when a company wants to create new operating models and skills that will boost international growth. The support is aimed at SMEs and midcaps. For more information see: https://www.businessfinland.fi/suomalaisille-asiakkaille/palvelut/rahoitus/talent-rahoitus

Eures Targeted Mobility Scheme financial support is available for small and medium-sized enterprises. Support can be applied for to cover part of the training and integration costs of a new employee, trainee or apprentice. For more information, see EURES Targeted Mobility Scheme - European Union

For more information, you can also contact the Central Savo Employment Region's employer services and the EURES expert: Contact Central Savo Employment Region - Regional page - Labour Market Market Marketplace.