1st batch of Ukrainian refugees relocate from Estonia to Finland

The first batch of Ukrainian refugees, who initially took shelter in Estonia arrived in Finland on Tuesday, said the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) in a press release on Wednesday.

Migri officials received the first group consisted of less than five people at Helsinki harbour and took them to a reception centre where they will be staying.

In order to respect their privacy, the Migri will not divulge detail about them.

Estonia has received a considerable number of Ukrainians considering the size of the country, and the local reception system is strained. To ease the situation, Finland and Estonia are offering the opportunity for interested Ukrainians to move to Finland.

“We have considerable previous experience of receiving relocated asylum seekers from other EU countries, and that has helped us prepare for receiving Ukrainians from Estonia as well. Any special needs of Ukrainians arriving from Estonia and any pets they might have with them will be taken into account when providing accommodation for them,” said Planning Officer Camilla Rautala, who is responsible for the transfer arrangements.

The Estonian immigration authorities and the Finnish Immigration Service are offering Ukrainians information about the Finnish reception system and about the possibility to move from Estonia to Finland. Each individual will decide independently whether they wish to stay in Estonia or move to Finland.

“Estonian authorities have started informing of this opportunity on a trial basis. It is still too early to say how many Ukrainians will be interested of transferring to Finland,” said Rautala.

Finland is prepared to receive a maximum of 100 Ukrainians per week from Estonia. The arrangement is valid until further notice.

Earlier in December, 2022, Finland and Estonia offered the opportunity for interested Ukrainian refuges to move to Finland from Estonia by group transport.

In May, 2022, the Finnish authority said that the country is prepared to receive beneficiaries of temporary protection transferred from other countries as a part of joint EU measures.

About 50 thousand of Ukrainian refugees arrived in Finland after Russia´s attack on Ukraine and the influx of Ukrainian refugees likely to continue in 2023, according to MIgri.