Ukrainian refugees likely to secure municipality of residence from March

More than 45,000 people who fled Ukraine last year may be eligible for a municipality of residence in 2023 after residing in Finland for one year, with about 13,000 already satisfying the qualifying period of residence in March–April, said Ministry of the Interior in a press release on .

On registering a municipality of residence, they will leave the reception services system and become clients of municipalities and wellbeing services counties.

Ukrainians with a municipality of residence will have the same rights, services and duties as permanent residents in Finland. Municipalities and wellbeing services counties are responsible for arranging services.

“The longer Russia’s brutal invasion continues, the more Ukrainians will probably remain in the country that they fled to. Prolonged residence in Finland further highlights the importance of smooth daily life. Ukrainian war refugees must be swiftly incorporated into Finnish society. Municipalities and wellbeing services counties will have a key role and responsibility in this respect,” said Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen.

People who have fled Ukraine may request a municipality of residence online at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) as of 1 March 2023, after residing in Finland for one year with a Finnish personal identification number and a residence permit for temporary protection issued at least one year ago that has been extended until 4 March 2024.

The Finnish Immigration Service will automatically extend temporary protection residence permits until this date, with no need for people who have fled Ukraine to request this extension separately in person.

Securing a municipality of residence may not affect housing at all if a Ukrainian has already acquired a dwelling in Finland or is staying, for example, with a friend or relative.

On the other hand, Ukrainians who have previously lived in a reception centre or in accommodation arranged by a reception centre will be required to arrange and pay for their own accommodation. People on low incomes may be eligible for a housing allowance from the Social Insurance Institution (Kela).

The right to a reception allowance will end, but Ukrainians with a municipality of residence may be eligible for Kela benefits, such as child allowance and housing allowance. They may also be eligible for basic social assistance from Kela.

A person with a municipality of residence is no longer eligible for health and social services through a reception centre. Arranging these services then becomes a responsibility of the wellbeing services county. The right to various social services expands, whereas the scope of healthcare services remains as before.