Finland Student Residence Permit 2026: Complete Guide to EUR 9,600…

Finland Student Residence Permit 2026: Complete Guide to EUR 9,600 Funds, Insurance, Work Rights, A/B Permits and Family

Explains Finland's student residence permit: admission, EUR 800/month and EUR 9,600 first-year funds, tuition fees, EUR 120,000/EUR 40,000 insurance, A/B permit classification, average 30-hour work rights, family members, extensions and post-study job-search permits.

Sources checked · 2026-08-24Reading time · 32 min

Short answer

A student residence permit can be issued for degree studies, a vocational qualification or exchange studies in Finland. A first permit is generally applied for from abroad. In 2026 you need at least EUR 800 per month for living costs; if studies last one year or more, EUR 9,600 for the first year must be available in your own account when you apply. If tuition has not yet been paid, the tuition amount must be available in addition to the EUR 9,600 living funds. Future part-time work cannot be used to meet the first-application income requirement. If studies last under two years, insurance must cover medical expenses up to at least EUR 120,000; for studies lasting at least two years, pharmaceutical expenses must be covered up to at least EUR 40,000. The deductible may not exceed EUR 300. Higher-education degree students receive an A permit; other degree/vocational routes and exchange students generally receive a B permit. After the permit is granted, paid work in any field is allowed for an average of 30 hours per week over the year, while qualifying degree-required internships/thesis work can fall outside the limit. The 2026 first-permit fee is EUR 600 online and EUR 750 on paper.

1. Which studies qualify?

The main rule is that studies lead to a degree or vocational qualification. Exchange students can also qualify, and some other studies may qualify where there is a well-founded reason.

A programme consisting mainly of online/distance learning that does not require presence in Finland is not a basis for a student residence permit. The permit is not issued to complete basic education.

2. EUR 800/month and EUR 9,600 for the first year

The 2026 student income requirement is at least EUR 800 per month. For studies lasting one year or longer, at least EUR 9,600 must be in your own bank account when the application is submitted; for shorter studies, use EUR 800 times the number of months.

A private person's sponsorship guarantee alone is not accepted. The applicant's own bank statement is required, and Migri asks for a statement covering the previous six months. A grant/scholarship from a state, organisation or educational institution can count toward living funds.

3. Tuition fees are separate from living funds

If tuition has been paid, attach evidence of payment. If not, the first-year tuition amount must be available in addition to the EUR 9,600 living funds.

Money reserved for living costs cannot simultaneously be treated as tuition money. If a scholarship covers tuition, provide the institution's certificate; the living-funds requirement remains separate.

4. Student insurance: EUR 120,000 / EUR 40,000

For studies lasting under two years, private insurance must cover medical expenses up to at least EUR 120,000. For studies lasting at least two years, it must cover pharmaceutical expenses up to at least EUR 40,000.

The deductible may not exceed EUR 300. Insurance must be valid on arrival. For studies longer than a year it must provide at least one year of uninterrupted cover without ordinary 90-day-per-trip travel-insurance restrictions. A valid Kela card, EHIC or UK GHIC can remove the need for separate private insurance.

5. A permit or B permit?

A student pursuing a higher-education degree receives a continuous A permit. Students pursuing a degree other than higher education and exchange students generally receive a temporary B permit.

This distinction matters for residence history, family and future permanent-residence planning. Family members of a higher-education degree student can also receive continuous permits if they meet the requirements.

6. Work right: average 30 hours/week

A student-permit holder may work in paid employment in any field, provided average weekly hours over the year do not exceed 30. Full-time work in some weeks is possible if the annual average remains within the limit. Migri describes this as roughly 120 hours/month or 1,560 hours/year.

A degree-required internship or diploma/thesis work can fall outside the 30-hour restriction where credits and the study connection were agreed from the outset. Ordinary work registered later as an internship may still count toward the limit. Both employee and employer are responsible for compliance.

7. Extended permit and after graduation

An extended student permit is applied for in Finland. For an extension, income from work can be used toward sufficient-resources evidence, while the study basis and progress remain relevant.

After completing a degree in Finland, a student can apply for a residence permit to look for work or start a business for up to two years. It can be used in one period or up to three parts, each at least six months, with the last part ending within three years of the first part's start. This job-search permit includes an unrestricted right to work.

8. Student-permit checklist

Checklist

Acceptance fits degree/vocational/exchange route?
First permit filed from abroad?
EUR 9,600/correct shorter-period funds in own account?
Six-month bank statement ready?
Tuition paid, or separate tuition funds available?
Not relying on a private sponsorship guarantee?
Insurance meets EUR 120,000/EUR 40,000 and ≤EUR 300 deductible rules?
A/B classification understood?
Average 30-hour work rule understood?
Family income requirements calculated separately?
Extension/post-study plan prepared before deadlines?

Common questions about this topic

Can future part-time work meet the income requirement for my first student permit?

No. For the first student permit, future work cannot be used to meet the income requirement. The required living funds must be available when you apply.

Can I work full-time with a student permit?

In some weeks yes, but ordinary paid employment must average no more than 30 hours/week over the year. Qualifying degree-required internship/thesis work can be treated separately.