Provisions on income thresholds for family reunification to be issued by government decree

The Ministry of the Interior has set up a project to prepare the necessary amendments to the provision of the Aliens Act on sufficient financial resources for family reunification. In future, a government decree would lay down provisions on the euro amounts required to demonstrate sufficient financial resources. This requirement would apply to family members of people who live in Finland with a residence permit. At present, the Finnish Immigration Service determines the required amount in its guidelines. 

In line with the Government Programme, 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. The income thresholds will not be lowered.

Family reunification refers to a residence permit granted to a foreign national on the basis of family ties. As a general rule, family reunification requires that the family members are able to support themselves.

The project will also prepare legislative amendments relating to the Finnish Immigration Service's disclosure of information on its own initiative, and to the payment card the Service issues.

In future, the Finnish Immigration Service could disclose information on its own initiative to the competent authority if, in the course of its statutory duties, it received information indicating labour exploitation. The aim is to ensure effective prevention of labour exploitation. The project will prepare the necessary amendments to the Act on the Processing of Personal Data in Immigration Administration.

The project will also draft provisions for the Reception Act concerning the payment card issued by the Finnish Immigration Service to applicants for international protection, persons enjoying temporary protection, detained persons, and victims of trafficking in human beings with no municipality of residence.

The project will run until 31 March 2027. The government proposal is scheduled to be submitted to Parliament during the 2026 autumn session.

Inquiries:
Tuuli Tuunanen, Chief Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 658, [email protected]  (income thresholds for family reunification)
Pekka Lindroos, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 327, [email protected]  (disclosure of information by the Finnish Immigration Service)
Mirka Eirola, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 383, [email protected] (payment card issued by the Finnish Immigration Service)