Few Ukrainians plan to return – Work or study key to staying in Finland after temporary protection ends

Few Ukrainians plan to return - Work or study key to staying in Finland after temporary protection ends

A study commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior looks at how Ukrainians are managing in Finland, focusing on their employment, future plans and whether they intend to return to Ukraine after their temporary protection ends. Progress in language skills and registering with municipal services after leaving the reception system have helped Ukrainians settle in Finland. However, the relatively low employment rate remains a challenge. The online survey was conducted in July-August 2025 and received responses from 2,085 Ukrainians.

Most respondents (63%) are originally from eastern Ukraine. Only 6% say they plan to return to Ukraine after the war, with many considering their home region unsafe.

The proportion of those planning to stay in Finland has increased significantly compared to previous surveys. In summer 2022, 27% of respondents said they intended to stay permanently; by autumn 2023 the figure had risen to 51% and now it stands at 66%. Meanwhile, 26% of respondents have not yet decided whether to return or remain, compared to 39% in 2022 and 35% in 2023.

Nearly half of respondents (48%) plan to apply for a residence permit based on work, study or family ties once temporary protection ends. 14% of respondents say they already have a residence permit allowing them to continue living in Finland.

In order to have a residence permit and to stay in the country, Ukrainians will need to secure a job or study place, as the EU is not planning a new type of residence permit specifically for them. Those who do not meet the criteria for a regular permit would have to return to Ukraine.

Finnish language skills support employment

The proportion of respondents who speak Finnish or English has increased each year. About 38% of respondents say they can work or study in Finnish, up from 0% in 2022 and 12% in 2023. Among those with Finnish skills, 34% are employed, compared to just 19% of those who say they have insufficient knowledge of Finnish, Swedish or English.

Although 67% of all respondents have actively looked for work, only 30% are employed (28% in 2023). Of the 33% who have not applied for a job, the most common reasons are self-reported insufficient language skills (72%) and weak employment (25%). One in five cite health or social reasons.

Based on the responses, the share of employed and studying individuals increases the longer they stay in Finland. The most common sectors of employment are food industry (17%), property maintenance, including cleaning (12%), and manufacturing (12%).

Temporary protection is only for a limited time

The EU Member States are committed to providing temporary protection to Ukrainians for as long as there is a need for protection. The EU has decided to extend temporary protection until 4 March 2027. What happens after that remains uncertain, but it is clear that temporary protection is not permanent and will eventually end. There are currently an estimated 48,000 Ukrainians in Finland under temporary protection.

In September 2025, the Council of the European Union adopted a recommendation on a coordinated approach to the transition out of temporary protection. This newly completed study, together with the EU recommendation, helps authorities prepare for a situation in which the war ends, conditions in Ukraine stabilise and temporary protection of Ukrainians comes to an end in the EU. The aim is to ensure Ukrainians receive sufficient information about applying for the regular residence permits based on work, study or family ties, and the necessary support for returning to Ukraine if they do not meet the criteria to remain in Finland.

The study was carried out on behalf of the Ministry of the Interior by Arseniy Svynarenko and Anastasia Koptsyukh, who are researchers of Ukrainian origin. The Ministry has previously published two studies on the situation of Ukrainians receiving temporary protection in Finland, the first in autumn 2022 and the second in spring 2024.

Inquiries:
Arseniy Svynarenko, Researcher, tel. +358 44 902 7675, [email protected] (more information on the report in Finnish and English)
Anastasia Koptsyukh, Researcher, [email protected] (further information on the report in English)
Tuuli Tuunanen, Chief Specialist, Ministry of the Interior, tel. +358 295 488 658, [email protected]