In Finland, employee-based and entrepreneur-based residence permits are separate legal routes. Owning shares in a company does not automatically make a person an entrepreneur for residence-permit purposes, and working for a company does not automatically mean that an employee permit is the correct route.
Employee-based permit
A residence permit for an employed person is based on an employment relationship. For a TTOL permit, Migri currently requires sufficient income for the entire validity period. In 2026, the total gross salary must generally be at least EUR 1,600 per month. Salary may come from several employment relationships, but zero-hours and on-demand contracts do not meet the regular minimum-hours requirement for TTOL.
Specialist and EU Blue Card
Specialist and EU Blue Card applications are separate highly skilled routes. In 2026, Migri states a gross salary threshold of EUR 3,937 per month for both routes. Fringe benefits are not counted towards that threshold. A specialist must have confirmed employment and duties requiring special expertise. The EU Blue Card also has its own higher-professional-skills and eligibility rules.
Entrepreneur-based permit
An entrepreneur permit is based on actual entrepreneurial activity. The authority considers the applicant's role in the business and whether the business activity is genuine and economically viable. Passive share ownership or a financial investment by itself does not create an entrepreneur residence-permit entitlement.
Changing the basis of residence
If the facts change, for example from employment to active entrepreneurship or from entrepreneurship to an employment relationship, the correct residence-permit category must be assessed against the new situation. A permit holder should not assume that a previous right to work automatically covers a materially different type of activity.
The correct route depends on the applicant's actual work, ownership, management position, salary and other facts. Check the current Migri instructions before filing.