Migri to reduce 2000 places at asylum centres by yearend

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) will reduce the capacity in the reception centres by December 31 this year, said Migri in a press release on Wednesday.

The authority will not continue the contracts for additional places in the reception centres that were put out to tender in 2023–2024.

The contracts for the more than 2,000 additional places will not be continued after 31 December 2024. No actual reception centres will be closed down due to the adjustments.

In addition, the number of rental flats provided by the Oulu reception centre will be reduced.

The Finnish Immigration Service has earlier concluded a fixed-term agreement with reception centres on establishing additional places in them to avoid having to relocate large numbers of clients and to allow clients a seamless, gradual move from reception centres to municipalities.

Establishing additional places means that certain reception centres have had more clients and more accommodation spots for clients than they normally would.

“The adjustments in the number of additional places concern 24 reception centres. All contracts for additional places will expire at the end of the year. In most locations, the reception centre will still continue to operate with normal accommodation capacity,” said Elina Nurmi, Director of Reception Services Department.

The number of additional places will be reduced to match the current need. The demand for additional places in reception centres will not be as high as before. The total number of applicants arriving in Finland is decreasing, and many clients have moved or will move to a municipality.

“The purpose of these adjustments is to maintain the cost-effectiveness of the reception system in a situation where the reception system, along with many other functions of society, is required to save costs,” said Nurmi.

In this case, the savings arise from the reducing need for places in reception centres and from the resulting reduction of additional places.

“These measures will save several millions of euros per year,” Nurmi added.

The Finnish Immigration Service has taken into account in its decision to reduce additional places that approximately 10,000 clients who live in a reception centre are eligible to apply for a municipality of residence in Finland in 2024.

In 2023–2024, more than 29,000 clients have already become residents of a municipality.

Most clients who occupy the additional places could apply for a municipality of residence immediately and move to a municipality.

When clients apply for a municipality of residence, they can freely choose the municipality in which they wish to settle. Reception centres provide advice and guidance on the arrangements required when moving to a municipality.

“Clients who do not, or cannot, apply for a municipality of residence will be offered accommodation in a reception centre. Possible relocations of clients to other reception centres will be planned in cooperation with the reception centres,” said Nurmi.

The Finnish Immigration Service will also reduce the number of rental flats provided by the Oulu reception centre. Rental agreements will be ended gradually during the autumn of 2024 and in the beginning of 2025.

Nearly all beneficiaries of temporary protection who live in the rental flats of the Oulu reception centre can apply for a municipality of residence.

“Clients of the Oulu reception centre will be offered accommodation in a reception centre if they do not intend to move to a municipality or to private accommodation. Reception centre staff will examine each client’s individual situation, discuss the changes with clients, and provide assistance with finding accommodation and a place to live. In which reception centre a client will be offered accommodation depends on, among other factors, the available places in the reception centres in Oulu and in the nearby regions," Nurmi added.

Contracts for additional places in reception centres will be discontinued are Kotokunta Oy, Luona Oy FRK, Österbottens svenska district, Pohjanmaan maahanmuuttokeskus Oy, SPR, Satakunnan piiri, SPR, Varsinais-Suomen piiri and Medivida Oy.