Migri to close down 26 reception centres as asylum seekers on wane

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) is closing down 26 reception centres as the number of asylum seekers has decreased significantly in the country, said Migri in a press release on Thursday.

The number of asylum applications submitted in 2024 was 45% lower than in 2023. The number of influx of Ukrainian refugees has also been declining. At the same time, more and more reception centre clients have become residents of municipalities.

The Migri is continuously assessing the need for accommodation capacity in the reception system and its cost-effectiveness. Reducing the number of reception centres aims at keeping the operations cost-effective.

“We will terminate contracts with 18 reception centres in total as of 1 April and 1 July, which will save approximately 21 million euros in costs this year. Additionally, we will terminate eight reception centre contracts that will expire in February 2026,” said Director of Reception Services Department Elina Nurmi.

In its decision to reduce reception centres, the Finnish Immigration Service has taken into account that the reception centres that will close in 2025 have approximately 2,200 clients who are eligible to apply for a municipality of residence in Finland.

Around 47% of the clients at the reception centres that are to be closed down could move to a municipality immediately if they so wished.

When clients receive a municipality of residence, they can settle in the municipality of their choice. The reception centres provide advice and support to clients in the process of moving to a municipality.

Reception centres that will close in June 2025 are Kemi Reception Centre, Pieksämäki Reception Centre, Varkaus Reception Centre, Järvenpää Reception Centre, Porvoo Reception Centre, Satakunta Reception Centre, Vaasa Reception Centre and Kajaani Unit for Minors.

Reception centres that will close in September 2025 are Vantaa Reception Centre, West Uusimaa Reception Centre, Lieksa Reception Centre, Valkeakoski Reception Centre, Forssa Reception Centre, Jämsä Reception Centre, Riihimäki Reception Centre, Kajaani Reception Centre and Åland Reception Centre,.

Reception centres that will close in December 2025 is Oravainen Reception Centre while reception centres that will close in February 2026 are Joensuu Reception Centre, Kuopio Reception Centre, Mikkeli Reception Centre, Rovaniemi Reception Centre, Tampere Reception Centre, Hämeenlinna Reception Centre, Lahti Reception Centre and Jyväskylä Reception Centre.