Anyone living in Finland without a valid residence permit will no longer be entitled to collect residence-based benefits, social security agency Kela has announced.

The change came into effect on 1 April, following amendments to Finland's Aliens Act which provide more specific definitions of legal and illegal residence.

In a press release, the agency explained that the right to residence-based benefits will in future end as soon as the individual receives a negative decision on their residence permit application — even if they decide to appeal the ruling.

"In other words, persons who reside in Finland illegally do not qualify for residence-based benefits," the press release stated.

Examples of residence-based benefits include general housing allowance, for medicine cost reimbursements, state pensions, as well as child benefits.

The law change applies specifically to people whose application for a residence permit has been denied, whose residence permit has expired and they have failed to apply for an extension, and to people whose residence permit has been revoked.

Prior to the introduction of this amendment, Kela continued to pay benefits during a person's appeals process — until the decision became final and legally binding.

Kela further noted that, in the event of receiving a negative decision on a residence permit application, an individual is still entitled to emergency support to secure a minimum standard of living if the situation is deemed urgent.

"In practice, this means that you can get a voucher from Kela for necessities such as food and necessary prescription medicines," the agency said.