Finland is moving forward with new reforms that will make changes to how migrants access social security, according to Social Security Minister Sanni Grahn-Laasonen. The government is preparing two draft laws aimed at tightening benefit rules for newcomers and encouraging integration into society.
One of the proposals focuses on the child home care allowance. Following a Norwegian-style model, the plan would require people to have lived in Finland or another EU country for at least three years before qualifying. The goal is to ensure that children from migrant families take part in early childhood education and gain strong language skills for school readiness.
The second reform being prepared is an integration benefit. This would give limited financial support to migrants who do not find work right away. However, Grahn-Laasonen explained that the support will be smaller than the current labour market subsidy or the planned universal benefit. The government expects to send this proposal for consultation by the end of 2025.
Statistics released earlier this year highlight the debate. Data from Kela showed that people with a foreign mother tongue make up about 30 percent of social assistance recipients, receiving more than €300 million in 2024. The report also revealed that among Somali and Arabic-speaking adults, about one in three rely on such support.
In addition, over one-third of Finland’s labour market subsidies are paid to people registered as foreign-language speakers. The largest groups receiving these subsidies are Russian and Arabic speakers, according to the findings.
Supporters of the reforms argue that the changes are necessary to reduce costs and encourage faster integration into Finnish society. They believe limiting long-term access to social security will push migrants to learn the language and enter the workforce more quickly.
On the other hand, critics have raised concerns that reducing benefits may increase financial struggles for newly arrived families, especially those who face challenges finding jobs immediately. The debate continues as Finland balances between supporting newcomers and addressing public concerns about the cost of benefits.
The government plans to move ahead with consultations, and the final decision on the laws is expected in the coming months. The outcome could reshape Finland’s welfare system for migrants and spark broader discussions across Europe.