Working in Finland is desirable for many Russians and Ukrainians. One of the main problems in Finland today is the aging population. As a result, the country needs professional personnel, especially in blue-collar jobs. As of 2021, the most current vacancies are:
- builders;
- workers of medical institutions;
- social workers;
- farm workers;
- seasonal workers.
Most of them do not require knowledge of the language. In turn, to receive a more attractive offer, CIS citizens must have not only high professional skills, but also knowledge of English, and preferably Finnish and Swedish.
Work visa to Finland for Russians and Ukrainians
Since 1995, Finland has been part of the EU. In practice, this means that citizens from countries outside the European Union must obtain a work visa and/or residence permit to be officially employed in Finland.
List of documents required for obtaining a work visa:
- Two photographs 4.7 by 3.6 centimeters. The maximum limitation period for photos is 6 months.
- Completed visa application. To be filled out exclusively in English.
- A job invitation from an employer from Finland.
- A copy and original of a valid foreign passport. If a visa was previously issued by the Finnish consulate, but the note about it is in the old passport, you must also provide that.
- A copy and original of a civil passport.
All documents must be translated into Finnish or English. They must be submitted no less than 2 weeks before the date of expected entry into the country, but no earlier than 3 months before this day.
A Finnish work visa allows you to work in only one profession. That is, you can change jobs during the validity period of the visa, but only in the same specialty.
To issue a permit, you will need to pay a consular fee of 35 euros.
You can use a regular visa instead of a work visa if:
- You are going to work as a teacher, coach, instructor;
- You are going to work seasonally;
- You are a member of the crew of a ship that calls at one of the ports of Finland.
In this case, the total amount of time spent in the country should not exceed three months.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages and disadvantages of working in Finland:
| Advantages | Flaws |
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How to find a job in Finland without intermediaries
To search for work without intermediaries, use Internet sites. We present some of them in the table below.
| www.te-palvelut.fi/te/fi/ | official website of the Finnish Ministry of Labor. |
| www.monster.fi | in Finnish |
| rekrytointi.com | in Finnish |
| www.oikotie.fi | in Finnish |
| careers.barona.fi | in Finnish |
| www.experteer.com | English site |
| www.workinfinland.com | English site |
| www.adecco.fi/en-us | English site |
| www.helsinki.fi/urapalvelut/english/ | vacancies for students |
| www.boyden.fi/finland/ | vacancies for management positions |
You should not trust Russian sites for finding jobs in Finland due to the high probability that advertisements there may be placed by intermediaries.
Please note that some vacancies may not be posted on the Internet, so whenever possible, use the following job search methods:
- Finnish radio and TV;
- Finnish newspapers;
- advertisements on the streets in Finland itself;
- special forums on the Internet and social networks.
Opinions regarding employment
There are different opinions among Russians regarding the employment and demand for certain specialists in Finland. Many of them are far from reality.
The graph shows when seasonal work is mostly required in Finland
The most common erroneous statements:
- There is an abundance of vacancies in the medical field and no barriers to getting a job. It is true that there is a catastrophic shortage of medical specialists in the country. Absolutely everyone is needed, from caregivers and nurses to surgeons and cardiologists. But in practice, very few Russians were able to get a job in this field of activity. Knowledge of the Finnish language at a minimum advanced level is required. A certificate issued in Finland confirming relevant education is required. It is possible to confirm a diploma received in your home country.
- Lack of specialists in the field of computer technology and the Internet. Workers in these areas are always needed here. Finland ranks first in Europe in terms of the number of Internet users. But these places of bread have long been chosen by immigrants from China, India and Singapore, who are given preference. Citizens of these countries can even obtain work visas without requiring knowledge of Finnish. When it comes to computer, information protection and security, professionals are always needed here.
- A device for any job, even if it is a janitor, a cleaner or a loader. Getting a job like this is tantamount to hitting the jackpot. Working even in lower positions, you can earn relatively well and be socially protected. Such places are densely occupied by students, refugees and anyone else who came to the rescue in time. They hire those who already live in the country and have completed specialized courses: even cleaners in Finland must have the appropriate certificate.
Getting a job in the construction or automotive fields is also extremely difficult. Residents of Poland and the Baltic states occupied places here.
Learn more about paid employment in Finland from the video.
The most realistic proposals:
- Agriculture is actively developing in the country. Many workers are still required here, as a rule, on poultry and fur farms, in cowsheds, forestry farms, and greenhouses. It is not necessary to know a foreign language well, but you need to understand and have experience in agriculture. Despite the fact that immigrants from Asian countries are rapidly mastering these professions in Finland, it is still possible to find work. Having proven yourself positively in seasonal work, you can get a good permanent job in the future.
- Working as a chemist is one of the most sought-after and promising jobs. The chemical industry is well developed here, and good chemists are welcomed with open arms in Finland. They don't even have to speak Finnish. Advanced English will be sufficient.
- Good confectioners, cooks, and cheese makers will always be hired. No knowledge of Finnish is required. Many specialists in this field subsequently open their own businesses.
- Often workers are needed in provincial cafes, bars, shops, and recreation centers. It’s quite possible to get a job, but the salary leaves much to be desired.
When planning to go to work in Finland, it is better to consider professions that are in demand, but not particularly popular. There are more than enough office workers, computer specialists and other modern professionals here. But, for example, there are catastrophically few good workers in forestry.
Work without knowledge of the language
If you don’t know Finnish, English (many Finns speak it fluently), or Swedish (the second state language of Finland), then you can realistically apply for the following vacancies:
- Seasonal work. The most popular activities in Finland are strawberry picking, wild berry picking, and snow clearing.
- Cleaners.
- Wipers.
- Nannies.
- Helper in a construction vacancy.
Subject to permanent employment, some companies may make concessions and hire an employee without knowledge of the Finnish language, but with the proviso that it will be learned as soon as possible.
Minimum salary in Finland
There is no official criterion for calculating the minimum wage in Finland. All salaries are approved by the collective agreement, which reflects the minimum wage. Within the framework of this document, salaries before deductions are assigned to all employees. If necessary, additional conditions regarding food and housing are specified.
Government economic analysis shows that the minimum wage ranges from €1,800-2,000. At the same time, the living wage in Finland is €1,200 per person.
Seasonal shift work
The following types of shift work are popular in Finland.
Job vacancy for a handyman in greenhouses
Handyman in greenhouses. Working conditions: accommodation is provided at the place of work, schedule - 6 working days and one day off. In some cases, workers are all 7 days a week. There are day and night shifts. Work 12 hours a day from 9:00 to 21:00 and from 21:00 to 9:00. Meals are provided.
- More often, work is organized on a rotational basis. Possible options: 15/15, 30/30, 39/15, 45/45, 60/30, 60/60.
- Responsibilities: watering, weeding, picking, spraying, hilling and more.
- Payment: up to 90 euros per shift.
- Requirements for applicants: no age limit; gender – any; knowledge of the language is not required, but desirable; strictly without bad habits.
Snow removal vacancy
Snow remover. Working conditions: accommodation and food are provided as part of salary. Most work is done early in the morning, so you need to get up no later than 5 am. The length of the working day is determined by the speed of cleaning and the amount of snow that has fallen. Cleaning is carried out in any weather. Schedule: 6 working days and one day off. In some cases, workers are all 7 days a week. The shift is organized until the end of the winter period (in Finland from 4 to 6 months). Shifts are possible by agreement with the employer.
- Responsibilities: clearing snow and ice from sidewalks, bike paths, roads, etc.
- Payment: up to 80 euros per shift.
- Requirements for applicants: age – 20-55 years; gender – male; At least 2 years of experience in snow removal; Experience operating snowplows is preferred; knowledge of the language is desirable, but not required; strictly without bad habits.
Security guard vacancy
Security guard. Working conditions: Accommodation, food and clothing are provided as part of salary. Shift work 12 hours a day, or every other day. Shifts are possible by agreement with the employer.
- Responsibilities: protection of entrusted objects.
- Payment: up to 80 euros per shift.
- Requirements for applicants: no age limit; gender – preferably male; knowledge of the language is not required, but desirable; strictly without bad habits.
Seasonal work before the holidays
For example, a cleaner in a cottage to prepare it for the New Year holidays and clean up after them. Work only for 1-2 weeks with accommodation and meals. Young girls can take the position. Work schedule depending on the contamination of the facility. Payment is piecework.
Without a residence permit
However, not all professions require a residence permit. You can get a job in Finland without it as a translator, coach (optionally, a sports referee), or teacher. You can pick wild mushrooms and berries, and take part in seasonal work picking strawberries and peas. Seasonal work on collecting berries, mushrooms, and peas begins in April and ends in September. The exact deadlines are set by the employer himself. When hiring, preference is usually given to students.
material on the topic
Seasonal work in Finland
First of all, this opportunity will be of interest to people over 18 years of age who are looking for an additional source of income for the summer.
The main type of seasonal work in Suomi is harvesting, for example, strawberries, cucumbers, peas, as well as picking mushrooms or wild berries. Finally, you can get another job, but always at the personal invitation of the employer. There is a strict time limit for all of the options listed. A Russian citizen can work in Finland without a residence permit for no more than three months. In addition, the applicant pays for the visa and insurance on his own.
material on the topic
How I found a job in Finland - personal experience
For a job seeker from Russia, finding a job in Finland is not the easiest task, but it is quite realistic. Alexandra Labanova, a former PR specialist for a telecom operator company in St. Petersburg, told the eFinland.ru portal about how she became an individual freelance entrepreneur in Finland.
Work on picking strawberries and other berries
The most popular collection in Finland is:
- wild berries and mushrooms;
- raspberries;
- strawberries;
- peas
All interested parties are invited to work, since there are really a lot of farms in Finland. Earnings directly depend on the employee’s experience and the number of berries (mushrooms) he collects. Here are the prices for picking berries and mushrooms:
- blueberries and cranberries – 2-5 euros per kilogram.
- lingonberries – 1-2 euros per kilogram;
- cloudberries – 4-15 euros per kilogram;
- chanterelles – 4-9 euros per kilogram;
- white – 2-7 euros per kilogram;
- bitters – 2-4 euros per kilogram;
- milky – 2-5 euros per kilogram.
For picking raspberries, strawberries and other berries, farmers pay from 10 to 30 euros per shift, depending on the number of berries collected by the worker.
Resident card
At first glance, Finland is a real paradise for an employee. But this is only at first glance. The first difficulties arise from the very first minutes. In order to get a job in Finland, you must first obtain a residence permit. This rule does not apply to residents of European Union countries, who can work and conduct their business in Finland without any special delays. For residents of Russia, obtaining a residence permit is mandatory. This matter is quite troublesome, but it can be simplified if you have a relative living in Finland.
Work as a driver and truck driver
The driver position places more stringent requirements on applicants. Namely:
- The exam for license categories C and D will have to be retaken within Finland itself. Moreover, some organizations can hire people with Russian rights, others cannot. The retake process requires you to undergo training at a Finnish driving school. Passing your license in Finland is more difficult than in Russia; if you fail one exam, you have to retake everything again. The theoretical exam for C and D categories is separate. If you need to pass both, you will have to take 2 exams at once. Driving around the city takes more than one hour. After this, driving on the race track is also checked (passing elements: reverse gear, snake, etc.).
- Knowledge of the Finnish language at a conversational level is required. Knowledge of Swedish and English is desirable.
- The driver's minimum working time is 40 hours per two weeks. After every 4 hours of continuous work, rest is required. For a ten-hour shift (standard in Finland), two breaks are provided. One is paid, the other is not.
- When working on Saturday there is an additional payment of +25%, on Sunday +50%. When working on a day considered a day off, bonuses are also provided. If it is a weekday – +100%, if Saturday – +170%, if Sunday or a holiday – +300%.
The average salary of a driver in Finland is 2500-3000 euros.
Working as a doctor in Finland
To get a job as a doctor in Finland you must:
- Pass the Finnish language proficiency exam with a grade of at least average. The exam can be retaken any number of times.
- Apostille your education diploma. If you studied at one of the EU universities, this is not necessary.
- Take a reference from your previous place of work (or from an educational institution, army) and a certificate from the Ministry of Internal Affairs about no criminal record.
- Translate the above documents and your diploma into Finnish. It is imperative that this is done by an official translator.
- Register translated documents with one of the Finnish magistrates in any city in Finland.
- If there is no job yet, and you are just going to look for it, you need to get a tourist visa with an explanatory note about why you need it.
- Go to the website www.valvira.fi and fill out an application for a job search as a doctor, attaching copies of all the above documents. Additional documents may be requested, which also need to be translated into Finnish and certified.
- After a certain time, you will receive a letter with a document from Valvira, which confirms that you can take up the position of a trainee doctor in Finland. With this paper you need to find a job. Recent trends are such that there is a shortage of professional personnel in this field in the country.
- The average salary of a trainee doctor is 1000 euros. After six months of working in the position, you will be able to take the clinical medicine exam at the University of Tampere. You are given 3 attempts to pass; if you fail, you will not be able to work as a doctor in Finland.
- Next, you will be transferred to the position of medical assistant with a large salary. After another 6 months, you can take an exam on knowledge of medical laws at the same Tampere University.
- After successfully passing it, you will remain a doctor’s assistant, but after some time you will have the opportunity to take the last exam - seeing a patient. If the commission gives a satisfactory assessment, you will be transferred to the position of a doctor. The average salary in Finland is 6,000 euros.
- After several years of working as a doctor, you can take another specialization exam. Upon receiving a satisfactory assessment, such a doctor will receive up to 10,000 euros per month.
The most in-demand professions in Finland
According to official data from Statistics Finland, today about 212 thousand Finns are listed as unemployed, which is 48 thousand more than a year earlier. There are 119 thousand unemployed men, and 93 thousand women. About 2.5 million people are officially employed in the country. However, the local labor market provides many employment options for foreigners, including seasonal work for unskilled workers and long-term contracts for experienced professionals.
According to local recruitment agencies, the most in-demand professions in Finland in 2021 are related to manufacturing, construction, healthcare, education, information technology and agriculture.
PROFESSIONS IN DEMAND IN FINLAND – LIST
| 1 | Auto Mechanic |
| 2 | Business consultant |
| 3 | Accountant |
| 4 | A kindergarten teacher |
| 5 | General doctor |
| 6 | Process engineer |
| 7 | Electrical Engineer |
| 8 | Speech therapist |
| 9 | Nurse |
| 10 | Programmer |
| 11 | Psychologist |
| 12 | General worker (roofer, concrete worker, reinforcement worker) |
| 13 | Harvester |
| 14 | Social worker |
| 15 | Dentist |
| 16 | Builder |
| 17 | Teacher |
Over the next ten years, the most in-demand occupations and employment growth in Finland are expected to be in the mining, information technology, wholesale and retail trade, finance and insurance sectors.
In conclusion, we note that according to the official UN report of March 20 - World Happiness Report, which collected data on 156 countries of the planet, in 2021 (for the third year in a row) Finland was recognized as the happiest country in the world.
