Thousands of Ukrainian citizens are leaving Finland, opting either for other EU countries or a return home. According to public broadcaster Yle, the main driver behind this trend is the difficulty of finding work, as Finnish employers remain reluctant to hire them.

The outflow is particularly noticeable among younger people. With less than a year left before temporary protection expires, staying in Finland increasingly depends on securing employment — a hurdle many have failed to overcome.

Yle highlights individual cases that reflect a broader pattern. A 25-year-old Ukrainian woman, despite speaking Finnish, was unable to land a job and decided to move to Estonia. Another migrant, trained as a civil engineer, found himself limited to short-term work on a flower farm due to language barriers and is now also considering relocation.

The situation is compounded by structural factors. Finland currently has one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe, while widespread requirements for Finnish language proficiency further weaken migrants’ chances in the labor market. Additional uncertainty looms ahead: starting in August, tuition fees will be introduced for students from outside the EU and EEA. Although Ukrainians are not yet affected, there is no clarity about what rules will apply next year.

Employment figures underline the gap. Only about 40% of Ukrainians in Finland have jobs, compared to a European average of 57%. After temporary protection ends in March 2027, only those with employment will be allowed to remain in the country.

Tuuli Tuunanen, an expert from the migration department of Finland’s Interior Ministry, indicated that around 40,000 Ukrainians have already left the country. Of the roughly 90,000 people who arrived under temporary protection, about 50,000 remain, while the rest have either moved elsewhere in the EU or returned to Ukraine.

Amid the growing outflow, Finnish migration authorities have issued detailed guidance for those choosing to leave. A dedicated page explains how to formally renounce temporary protection, submit the necessary заявления, and properly dispose of residence permits.