Govt moves to increase income limits for family reunification

The four-party alliance government led by the Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) has taken an initiative to tighten the family reunification for the immigrants including increasing the income threshold, said the Ministry of the Interior in a press release on Tuesday.

The ministry prepared the draft of the proposal in this regard and sent out for comments and the deadline for submitting comments is October 2, 2026.

According to the proposal, the euro amounts required to demonstrate sufficient financial resources for family members of persons residing in Finland on a residence permit would in future be laid down by government decree.

The government will review the income thresholds applicable to family reunification, taking into account their impacts on the availability of labour and on general government finances.

When the decree is issued, the income thresholds in euros will be reviewed and are expected to be increased.

At present, the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) determines the required amount in its guidelines.

Family reunification refers to a situation in which a family member living abroad applies for a residence permit on the basis of a family tie to a person who is lawfully residing in Finland.

As a general rule, family reunification requires that the family members are able to support themselves.

In future, the Migri, the Economic Development Centres and the Finnish Tax Administration could disclose information related to labour exploitation on their own initiative.

The Migri and the Economic Development Centres would disclose information to the occupational safety and health authorities and the police, and the Finnish Tax Administration would disclose information to the Migri.

The aim is to enable the authority receiving the information to intervene more effectively in cases of labour exploitation.

In addition, the proposal would add provisions to the Reception Act concerning payment cards issued to persons accommodated in reception centres, such as asylum seekers.

The government proposal is scheduled to be submitted to Parliament during the 2026 autumn session.

Earlier in April 2026, the government took the initiative to bring necessary amendments to the provision of the Aliens Act on sufficient financial resources for family reunification.

In June 2025, the also government tightened criteria for immigrants´ family reunification.

In June 5, 2025, the government has taken an initiative to stiffen criteria for getting permanent residence permit in Finland.

On June 16, 2023, leaders of the ruling parties announced the programme, which included tougher immigration, residence and citizenship laws.

The government tightened the immigration policy despite strong protest by different groups.

Separate demonstrations were held in Helsinki on June 27, 2023 and June 18,2023 protesting against the immigration policy taken by the government.

Several hundreds of people went on demonstrations in Helsinki in August, 2023 protesting against the move.