Majority of Ukrainian refugees want to stay in Finland: survey

Ukrainians who arrived in Finland as refugees after February 2022 are satisfied with their life in Finland and more interested than before in staying in the country, according to a survey commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior.

Almost all Ukrainians who responded to the survey were either very satisfied or satisfied with their life in Finland, said the ministry in a press release on Thursday referring to the online survey conducted in November, 2023 where 1300 Ukrainians participated.

Compared to the previous survey, an even higher proportion (51%) considered remaining in Finland possible even if they could return to Ukraine.

The prolongation of the war increases the desire to stay in Finland because of children, employment in Finland or studies.

The survey found that communication about becoming a resident of a municipality and about the services provided by the authorities in Finland in general has been good.

The vast majority of respondents said that they use the information provided by the reception centre and the authorities’ communication channels, including websites and social media channels, as their main sources of information.

The purpose of the survey was to find out about the plans and hopes of Ukrainian refugees in Finland with regard to their residence in the country, applying for registration in a municipality of residence and their possible return to Ukraine.

The survey was a follow-up to a similar study carried out in summer 2022.

Of the Ukrainians who responded to the survey, 53% had registered their municipality of residence in Finland and 28% planned to do so in the near future.

Under Finnish law, a person can apply for registration in a municipality of residence after they have lived in Finland for one year. Ukrainians enjoying temporary protection are covered by reception services until they have a municipality of residence.

The study was carried out on behalf of the Ministry of the Interior by Arseniy Svynarenko and Anastasia Koptsyukh, who are researchers of Ukrainian origin.

Based on a decision made by the European Union in March 2022, Ukrainians have been granted temporary protection. This decision will be valid until March 2025. Under the Temporary Protection Directive, temporary protection can last up to three years. The way forward is currently under discussion in the EU.

The free-text responses to the survey reveal that uncertainty about being able to stay in Finland in the future is causing concern among the respondents, which is also reflected in the respondents’ desire to apply for a municipality of residence and integrate into Finland.

Many also mentioned their concern about the continuity of health and social services when they move from a reception centre to a municipality.

People who have received a municipality of residence have the same rights, obligations and services as permanent residents.