What is the Finland Employed Person Permit (TTOL)?
The Residence Permit for an Employed Person (työntekijän oleskelulupa, or TTOL) is Finland's standard work permit for non-EU nationals in roles that do not qualify as specialist or highly skilled — hospitality, care, cleaning, construction, transport, agriculture and general employment. The salary threshold is much lower than the fast-track routes: €1,600/month (2026), or the relevant collective-agreement minimum if higher.
Unlike the Specialist permit and EU Blue Card, the TTOL is usually subject to a labour market test: the employer must advertise the vacancy and the TE Office checks whether a suitable worker is available in Finland or the EU/EEA first. It is a two-stage decision (TE Office, then Migri) and does not use the two-week fast track.
Its distinctive benefit: the permit is granted for a whole field of work, not a single employer — so you can change employers within that field without a new permit. If you earn €3,937/month or more, the faster Specialist permit or Blue Card is the better route.
Note: Information on this page is for guidance only and does not constitute immigration advice. Requirements change — verify current figures at the official government source before applying.
Do you qualify?
You must meet two requirements. The TTOL is usually subject to a labour market test, and the salary must meet €1,600/month or the collective-agreement minimum. Earn €3,937+? The faster Specialist permit is the route.
A confirmed job offer from a Finnish employer paying at least €1,600/month gross (2026), or the relevant collective-agreement minimum if higher. The contract must guarantee regular minimum working hours — zero-hours and on-demand contracts do not qualify.
For most TTOL roles the employer must advertise the vacancy (typically at least two weeks), and the TE Office assesses whether a suitable worker is available in Finland or the EU/EEA and that pay and terms meet Finnish standards. Some roles and situations are exempt from the test.
The 2026 salary requirements
The TTOL threshold for 2026 is €1,600/month gross, or the relevant collective-agreement minimum if that is higher. Fringe benefits do not count, and the contract must guarantee regular hours (no zero-hours contracts).
If your salary is €3,937/month or more, the Specialist permit and EU Blue Card are faster (two-week fast track, no labour market test). The TTOL is the route below that threshold. Tax note: Finland's income tax is progressive (municipal plus state, roughly 20–55% combined at higher incomes); many sectors are governed by collective agreements that set a higher floor than the immigration minimum.
What you need to apply
You apply online through Enter Finland (Migri's portal). For roles subject to the labour market test, the employer must first advertise the vacancy and complete their part.
If you do not have any of the documents below, read the FAQs section for further guidance.
Application timeline
The TTOL takes longer than the fast-track routes because of the labour market test — typically 1–2 months overall. Migri's own decision was quick in 2026 (a ~17-day average for positive first permits), but the employer's advertising and the TE Office stage add time up front.
Most common delay: the labour market test. The employer must advertise the vacancy and justify hiring a non-EU worker; incomplete advertising or a salary below the collective-agreement rate stalls the TE stage. Confirm the employer has completed the advertising before you file.
For roles subject to the labour market test, the employer advertises the position (typically for at least two weeks) and records the applications received and why no suitable Finnish or EU/EEA candidate was found.
Handled by: your employer
You submit your application in Enter Finland and pay the fee; the employer completes their Terms of Employment section. Book and attend a biometrics appointment at a Finnish mission or VFS Global centre.
Handled by: you and your employer
The TE Office makes a partial decision on the labour market test and terms of employment, and then Migri makes the final decision (a ~17-day average in 2026 for positive first permits).
Handled by: the TE Office and Migri
Travel to Finland, register with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency for a personal identity code, and begin work.
Handled by: you
Frequently asked questions
For most TTOL roles, before your application can be approved, the employer must advertise the vacancy, and the TE Office checks whether a suitable worker is available in Finland or the EU/EEA and whether pay and conditions meet Finnish standards. Some roles and situations are exempt. This step is the main reason the TTOL is slower than the Specialist permit, which skips it.
Yes — this is a TTOL advantage. The permit is granted for a whole field of work (for example, the restaurant sector or the care sector), not a single employer, so you can change employers within that field without applying for a new permit. Changing to a different field does require a new application.
The TTOL has a much lower salary threshold (€1,600 vs €3,937/month) and covers non-specialist roles, but it is subject to a labour market test and does not use the two-week fast track. The Specialist permit and EU Blue Card are faster and skip the test, but need €3,937/month and a degree or special expertise. If you can clear €3,937, use those instead.
Yes. Your spouse and dependent children can apply for residence permits on a family basis, and your spouse can generally work in Finland. Note that family reunification has its own income requirements, which can be a factor at TTOL salary levels — check the current figures with Migri.
Yes. A continuous (A) TTOL permit counts toward permanent residence and is available after 4 years of continuous residence, with citizenship generally available after 5 years (subject to language and other conditions). The route is the same as for the Specialist permit.
The first work permit fee is €750 (online) or €950 (paper), increased in January 2026. Add biometrics/service fees and document costs. The employer often covers or shares these.
You cannot apply for the TTOL without a confirmed job offer from a Finnish employer with guaranteed regular hours. Every job listed on Workbeyond is from employers who sponsor international talent to work in Finland. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority level to find roles that match your criteria.
Find sponsored jobs in Finland
Every job listed on Workbeyond is from an employer who sponsors international workers. The TTOL opens Finland to non-specialist roles across hospitality, care, construction, transport and more. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority level.
Planning a move? See the Finland destination guide.
Other visas you may qualify for
Finland's fast-track permit for skilled non-EU professionals in expert roles — a two-week decision, no labour market test, €3,937/month and a higher education degree or special expertise.
Finland's EU Blue Card for highly qualified non-EU professionals — €3,937/month, the two-week fast track, and EU-wide mobility to move to another member state, requiring a degree (or 5 years' experience) and a 6-month job.