Every year in Finland as well as in several other Scandinavian and Baltic countries, migrant workers can apply for a seasonal work permit, enabling them to come and work as berry-pickers.

Finnish migration authorities announced on Monday (February 17) that now is the time to apply for the work permit, which includes a seasonal work visa, a certificate for seasonal work or a residence permit for seasonal work.

Anyone wishing to apply, the Finnish authorities stress, need to have already found an employer in Finland, and have a work contract and agreement in place regarding their prospective work and pay with that employer.

To apply for the work permit and visa, authorities will need to see proof of that agreement highlighting details about the work you will be undertaking.

Depending on the duration of your work, state the Finnish authorities, you might need to apply for a different type of seasonal work permit.

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Work lasting three months or fewer

For those whose work will last fewer than three months, you need to apply for a seasonal work visa from a Finnish embassy or consulate if you come from a country subject to a visa requirement.

There is more information found on this website.

• If you come from a visa-free country and hope to pick wild berries and already have a job offer from an employer, then you can apply for a "certificate for seasonal work" directly from the Finnish Immigration service. To find out more follow this link.
• A paper application for this certificate costs 250 euros, Finnish authorities stipulate, and an electronic processing fee will cost you 100 euros.
• Your certificate for seasonal work is always bound to a certain employer. You are only allowed to work for those employers whose names are highlighted on your seasonal work permit.
• If you wish to add a new employer to your valid certificate, then you need to apply for this addition.
• A decision on your case should be made within 90 days of your submitting your application.
• To request the certificate, you need to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself in Finland throughout the validity of your work certificate. So, you must be earning at least the minimum amount set in accordance with Finland’s minimum wage requirements for your chosen sector.
• If there is no collective agreement in your sector, your gross income must amount at least to 1,430 euros per month in 2025.
• You will also need a valid passport to enter the country and need to have "appropriate accommodation" arranged.
• According to the Finnish authorities, this means that the standards of your accommodation meet the health and safety requirements applied to general housing in Finland. This includes the provision of warm water for washing and a sufficiently sized sleeping area.

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If your employment is due to last between three and nine months

Those who want to work in Finland for between three and nine months this year will need to apply for a "residence permit for seasonal work," via the Finnish Immigration Service.

• Processing of an electronic application of this type will costs 380 euros for the first permit; if you wish to extend an existing permit of this type, it will cost 170 euros.
• For paper applications, a first permit costs 480 euros and an extension permit costs 430 euros.
• You need to apply for this before arriving in Finland.
• According to the Finnish authorities, if you already have a shorter seasonal work certificate and you want to continue with more seasonal work, you can apply for a residence permit for seasonal work in Finland. However, you will need to apply for a first residence permit for seasonal work before your current certificate or visa expires.
• If you want to apply to extend your permit for seasonal work, please note that this is only possible with a valid residence permit, and only if you continue with your seasonal work directly after your previous residence permit for seasonal work expires.

• You can have a permit for seasonal work for a maximum of nine months during a 12-month period.
• You should receive a decision on your application within 90 days of applying.
• Like with the shorter permits, you are only allowed to work for the employer whose name is marked on your residence permit.
• If you want to add a new employer you will need to apply to add them to your valid permit.
• Family members of seasonal workers are not allowed to apply for a residence permit in Finland on the basis of family ties.
• Like with the shorter permits, you need to have already lined up a job with an employer, who will then have to fill out the forms and confirm they are hiring you.
• You will also need to prove that your wages will amount to a minimum of 1,430 euros per month, or equal to the minimum set in accordance with the collective agreement applicable to your employment contract.
• You will also need a valid passport and access to "appropriate” accommodation in Finland.
• According to the Finnish authorities, this means that the standards of your accommodation meet the health and safety requirements applied to general housing in Finland. This includes the provision of warm water for washing and a sufficiently sized sleeping area.

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Legislative changes

Finland's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment have made some legislative changes which will enter into force in February 2025.

This is because of "some problems encountered in the wild berry sector" in the past, states a press release from the government issued in early February.

They say that the changes will help the government monitor the rights of the berry-pickers while making sure they are protected and that a sufficient level of income is guaranteed.

"Going forward, companies must employ foreign berry pickers in a contractual employment relationship to enable them to enter Finland," states the press release.

In the past, the Finnish government said that some foreign berry pickers were able to enter Finland on a Schengen tourist visa. But there were some allegations of problems relating to the working conditions and earnings of the pickers, including some allegations of exploitation as well as charges of and sentences for human trafficking.

This year, the government says it intends to "monitor the effects of the legislative changes" and, if necessary, "introduce further measures to combat exploitation in the berry sector."