Less than half of international professionals in Finland’s technology sector now plan to stay in the country permanently, citing rising unemployment, tighter immigration rules, and the weak Finnish economy as key reasons.

Only 47 percent of foreign tech workers intend to remain in the country for good — down from 54 percent last year. That's according to the International Technology Expert 2025 survey by Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland (TEK) and the Union of Professional Engineers in Finland.

The survey (PDF in English) examined the integration of international experts and their perceptions of equality. Respondents cited Finnish language requirements as well as a lack of jobs and networks as the biggest obstacles to integration. The trade unions represent those highly educated in the increasingly international fields of technology and ICT.

Limited language skills were the biggest factor reducing Finland’s attractiveness, while personal networks proved the most valuable resource for finding work.

According to the survey, foreign-born professionals view their employment situation more negatively than last year. Only two-thirds of experts from outside Europe have permanent jobs, while just under a third experienced unemployment at some point in the past three years.

The survey, conducted in March 2025 among English-speaking members of the two unions, received 756 responses. Of these, 59 percent held a master’s degree and 18 percent a doctorate.

"Why attract foreign talent if Finland can’t retain them?"

For a foreign professional like Dixit K.C., who came from Nepal to Finland as a student over a decade ago, life here carries a sense of uncertainty. When he graduated in international sales and sourcing in Tampere in 2016, he said the job market was as difficult then as it is now.

"There weren’t any jobs for me. I was doing cleaning work, but I wasn’t okay with continuing that as a long-term option after graduating. I was forced to move back to Nepal," said Dixit, who eventually secured a position in Finland that allowed him to return.

"My wife and I both have permanent jobs right now. But if I were ever unemployed, my name would still be my name, which would always be a disadvantage here,” said Dixit, who now works as a Business Manager at Valmet.

Successive studies have found that jobseekers with foreign-background names are less likely to be called for an interview compared to an applicant with a Finnish-sounding name.

The latest tech sector survey also found that fewer than half of the international experts canvassed would recommend Finland as a place to live, and Dixit said he is one of them.

"My trust and confidence in Finland's job market is low right now. So much is being said about Finland’s attractiveness and how to bring in more international talent. But if Finland is unable to secure jobs for the foreigners or retain them, what is the point of attracting them?”

He added that most international professionals would gladly stay in Finland permanently if they could envision a secure future for themselves and their families.

“The current reality is that IT graduates and master’s students who finished just last year are now taking up cleaning jobs or are forced to start businesses. There is a constant sense of stress and racing against time, with the tightening immigration policies only worsening the situation."

In June, the Petteri Orpo-led (NCP) government enforced a law that might require foreign employees to leave Finland if they cannot find new work within three to six months of a contract ending.

Dixit, however, emphasised that the responsibility also lies with foreigners themselves to be proactive in securing their future and making themselves employable, rather than falling into a cycle of despair.

All Points North sheds light on Finland's controversial new three-month unemployment rule, which could see non-EU nationals deported from the country. Listen to the episode via this embedded player, on Yle Areena, via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Brain drain, a growing problem

TEK and the Union of Professional Engineers say the survey results are concerning. They called for swift action from Finnish policymakers and politicians to "stem the brain drain".

"The importance of foreign experts in Finland’s story must be recognised. Instead of punishing people for losing jobs, they should be offered support to find new employment. Significantly more language and cultural education is required,” said Juhani Nokela, Director of Public Affairs at TEK.

Nokela urged the government to scrap the law which could force foreign employees to leave if they can’t find work within the stipulated timeframe, and also called for the easing of language requirements.

Union of Professional Engineers’ Advocacy Director Petteri Oksa also stressed the employers’ responsibility in this matter. Companies, he said, can quickly ease challenges for foreign workers through measures such as translation tools, Finnish lessons during work hours, mentoring systems, and stronger social networks in the workplace.

Finland's branding sets false expectations

Pieter den Heten, an Australian-Dutch citizen, told Yle News that the survey shows there is growing disillusionment among foreign professionals with working life in Finland — and this reflects his own experiences and those of other migrants he knows.

He said that when he moved to Finland two years ago, after his partner landed a job here, he was initially optimistic about life in the country but soon realised that the reality differed from Finland’s projected image.

"I quickly saw that finding work here was impossible. It’s been two years of jobseeking —I’ve applied to hundreds of jobs without any responses, let alone interviews,” said the service and product designer, who is pursuing remote studies in Australia while also freelancing and running his own business, all primarily outside of Finland..

"I personally don’t feel at home in Finland because everything I do here takes place elsewhere. My life transpires through a screen," he added.

Finland is currently objectively unattractive due to soaring unemployment rates, he said, as well as anti-immigration policies and an overall insular attitude.

"In addition, I feel false expectations are created by PR offices such as Work in Finland and Study in Finland. The happiest nation narrative is something that should be put into a realistic context."

Den Heten further noted that other countries, even when they are showing more signs of anti-migration sentiment, still offer better salaries and conditions, like the Netherlands, where foreign talent can still get significant tax breaks.

"Finland is just not competitive. Arguably, it’s a great place to raise kids. But if you’re a young professional or student trying to establish a career here, you’re at a disadvantage. Even with a high level of education or extra effort, the chances are still limited, to a degree that I don’t think justifies the effort," he said.

It was reported last month that Finland's unemployment rate has surged to one of the highest in Europe, surpassed only by Spain.

Building an incentive-based immigration model

Acknowledging the issues raised by foreign professionals in the survey, TEK and the engineering union outlined three recommendations to improve Finland’s ability to retain international experts.

Firstly, they called for an incentive-based immigration model with faster access to permanent residence and more flexible rules for families.

The unions also suggested measures to reduce "brain waste," including stronger anti-discrimination laws, anonymous recruitment, and improved employment services.

Their final recommendation is to strengthen integration through workplace language training, city-led networking, and by including trade unions in integration course planning to improve workers' understanding of rights.

"Although they are competent and educated people, international experts are at a disadvantage compared with Finnish job-seekers. They need special support to find work because their networks and local language skills are weaker," said Nokela from TEK.

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