Finland relies on seasonal labour for key parts of its economy, especially agriculture, forestry and tourism. If you’re a non-EU job seeker or an employer recruiting foreign hands for short-term, clearly seasonal tasks (think berry picking, mushroom and vegetable harvests, green-house work, or summer tourism roles), Finland offers specific pathways: a short-stay seasonal work certificate or visa (for stays up to 90 days) and a residence permit for seasonal work (for work lasting 3–9 months). This guide explains who can apply, which permit you need, how much it costs, how to apply, the minimum salary and other rules you must know before packing your bags.
Why Finland needs seasonal workers
Finland’s seasonal demand spikes in short windows: berry and mushroom picking in summer, planting and harvesting in agriculture, and tourism peaks in summer and winter resort seasons. Two structural reasons drive this reliance:
Labour shortages in rural and seasonal sectors. Finland has an ageing population, and many domestic workers prefer year-round, full-time urban jobs rather than short, physically demanding seasonal roles. This leaves farms, forests and tourism operators short of hands during peak months.
- Nature of the work. Tasks such as wild-berry picking are time-sensitive and geographically dispersed; recruiting locally for a few weeks is impractical. Employers therefore recruit abroad, often under the Seasonal Workers Act and seasonal permit regimes. Recent policy adjustments have formalised this route to improve protection and oversight of foreign pickers.
Categories of Finland seasonal work permission (which one do you need?)
There are three main legal routes depending on nationality and length of employment:
Certificate for seasonal work (up to 90 days)
For citizens of visa-exempt countries who will do seasonal work in Finland for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. You must still have the required visa-free days available. This certificate does not extend your visa-free period — it simply documents the seasonal job and is issued by the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri).
Seasonal work visa (up to 90 days)
For nationals of countries that do require a visa to enter Finland but whose seasonal job is brief (≤90 days). The visa is processed and decided by Finnish missions (embassies/consulates) abroad.
Residence permit for seasonal work (3 to 9 months)
If your seasonal employment lasts 3–9 months you must apply to Migri for a residence permit for seasonal work. Importantly, if your contract would run 6–9 months, the application will normally undergo labour-market testing to check whether suitable labour is available in Finland or the EU/EEA before a permit is granted. You cannot start work before your permit is granted (unless you’re an EU/EEA citizen).
What counts as seasonal work?
Typical categories that qualify under the Seasonal Workers Act include:
Agricultural and horticultural work (berry, fruit, vegetable harvests; greenhouse work)
Forestry (including wild-berry and mushroom picking when organised as employment)
Tourism sector roles tied to seasonal peaks (e.g., summer resorts, winter ski resorts)
Note: Seasonal work must be linked to a clearly seasonal need and based on a direct employment relationship with a Finnish employer. You must usually have a concrete job offer before applying.
What counts as seasonal work?
Typical categories that qualify under the Seasonal Workers Act include:
Agricultural and horticultural work (berry, fruit, vegetable harvests; greenhouse work)
Forestry (including wild-berry and mushroom picking when organised as employment)
Tourism sector roles tied to seasonal peaks (e.g., summer resorts, winter ski resorts)
Note: Seasonal work must be linked to a clearly seasonal need and based on a direct employment relationship with a Finnish employer. You must usually have a concrete job offer before applying.
Who can apply?
Non-EU/EEA nationals: Use a seasonal work visa (if you need a visa) or a residence permit for seasonal work (if 3–9 months). Citizens of visa-exempt countries may use the certificate for seasonal work for stays up to 90 days.
- EU/EEA/Swiss nationals: You generally do not need a permit to work for short seasons; you can enter freely. However, if you stay longer than 3 months, you should register your right of residence.
Duration, extensions and the right to stay
Up to 90 days: seasonal work certificate or seasonal work visa. Certificates cannot be used to continue staying beyond the authorised days — if total work exceeds 90 days, you must switch to a residence permit for seasonal work.
- 3 to 9 months: residence permit for seasonal work. You can apply to extend a seasonal work permit, but the rules are strict: extensions are possible only if you hold a valid seasonal work permit and your employment relationship continues directly after the previous permit expires; you must also meet income and other conditions for the extended period. Gaps between contracts may require you to leave Finland.
Labour-market testing applies for longer seasonal contracts (6–9 months) — expect extra scrutiny and possible delays.
Salary and income requirements
Minimum gross salary guidance (2025): For many work-based residence permits, Migri applies an income requirement. For employed persons, the general minimum referenced in 2025 is €1,600 per month (gross), unless the collective agreement for your sector sets a higher minimum. Seasonal-work decisions will assess whether the salary is appropriate under sector rules; employers may include certain fringe benefits, but the salary must be sufficient to cover living costs. Always confirm the salary stated on your employment contract meets Migri’s current income rules.
Practical implications:
Employers typically must state salary and working conditions in the job contract submitted with your application. If pay is below collective agreement levels or the minimum income requirement, the permit may be refused.
How to apply
Get a job offer first. All seasonal routes require a concrete employment relationship with a Finnish employer before you apply. The contract should detail duties, start and end dates, salary, working hours, and employer contact details.
- Decide which route you need (certificate, visa, or residence permit) based on nationality and contract length (≤90 days or 3–9 months).
Prepare documents: typical items include valid passport, signed employment contract, proof you can cover travel/initial costs, proof of visa requirement (where applicable), passport photos, and any sector-specific permits. Documents not in English, Finnish or Swedish must be officially translated. Migri and Finnish missions list exact requirements per country.
Apply online via Enter Finland (preferred and usually cheaper/faster) for certificates and residence permits. For short-stay visas, apply at the Finnish mission in your country. You may be required to provide biometrics at the embassy.
Wait for processing and decision. Migri processes applications in order received but factors like start date and high-season peaks affect timing. During busy seasons, Migri updates processing status frequently; in high season expect the workload to increase. Do not start work before permit is granted (unless you’re exempt).
If approved: follow instructions about collecting a residence permit card (if applicable), entering Finland and registering with local authorities when you arrive.
Costs and Processing Fees
Fees are set by the Finnish Immigration Service and differ for electronic vs paper applications:
First residence permit for seasonal work: €380 (electronic) / €480 (paper).
Certificate for seasonal work (≤90 days): €100 (electronic) / €250 (paper).
- Visa fees (short-stay Schengen D-type for work where applicable): consular fees apply and vary by mission, check the Finnish mission in your country.
Other costs to budget for: translations, notarial/legalisation (if required), travel to the embassy for biometrics, medical or background checks if requested, and living costs while you await the decision.
Can a seasonal permit lead to longer residence or family reunification?
Seasonal permits are designed for temporary, seasonal labour. They do not automatically lead to permanent residency. Long-term pathways to permanent residence in Finland usually require several years of continuous, legal residence under qualifying permit types (e.g., employed person permits) and meeting integration/language and income criteria. Family reunification rights are limited for short seasonal permits; eligibility depends on the type and length of the permit.
Employer obligations and worker protections
Employers must offer a real employment contract, pay agreed wages, and comply with Finnish labour laws and collective agreements. When hiring seasonal workers from abroad, Finnish authorities expect employers to follow recruitment and accommodation standards and to refrain from exploitative practices. Recent reforms and increased oversight (especially in berry-picking) aim to protect migrant seasonal workers from exploitation. If you suspect exploitation, Finnish authorities and international organisations provide channels for complaints.
Pro Tips
Apply early. High season (spring/summer) sees heavy application volumes; submit well before the start date and choose electronic applications where possible to save costs and time.
Confirm all contract details (start/end dates, wage, working hours, accommodation, who pays travel costs) and keep copies for your application.
Translate documents into English (or Finnish/Swedish) via certified translators where required.
Beware of intermediaries charging excessive fees — recruits.com.ng readers should always verify vacancy legitimacy and confirm whether the employer in Finland is the actual contracting party.
Check whether your country requires a visa for Finland and prepare for embassy appointments (biometrics, interviews)
The Finnish government has designed a pathway that balances opportunity with regulation giving both workers and employers a fair and legal framework to operate in.
If you’re ready to explore current seasonal job openings in Finland, get step-by-step guidance on your application, or stay updated on other international work opportunities, visit recruits.com.ng today. You’ll find verified job listings, immigration updates, and application tips tailored to help Nigerian and African job seekers work legally and confidently abroad.