Two permits for skilled workers
Finland has a residence permit for specialists and the EU Blue Card. Both are for highly skilled workers, and both depend on confirmed employment and a salary above the ordinary work permit minimum. They are different permits with different rules, so check which suits you before you apply.
Who counts as a specialist
Migri describes a specialist as a person who comes to Finland to do expert work that requires special expertise, a highly skilled worker. Examples include IT experts and experts in a specialised field who hold a higher education degree.
As a rule you must have a higher education degree. Without one, you need special expertise gained through work experience or other education, and your employer must verify it. You must also have confirmed employment before you apply, and your employer must supply your terms of employment.
The specialist salary
Migri says your gross salary must be at least EUR 3,937 per month in 2026. Fringe benefits are not counted towards this sum. Since 7 January 2019, daily allowances and other benefits that compensate for expenses are not counted towards a specialist's salary either.
An earlier Migri page showed EUR 3,638 for 2024, so the figure changes from year to year. Check the figure for the year of your application, and make sure the salary in your contract is above it with room to spare.
Permit length, speed and work
A first specialist permit is granted for a maximum of two years. If the employment lasts less than two years, the permit is valid for the length of the employment.
You can apply through the fast-track service and receive the permit in two weeks. Using Enter Finland for Employers allows more automated processing. You can apply for a D visa at the same time as the residence permit. The right to work begins when the permit is issued, and specialists may work without a permit for up to 90 days. A first permit must usually be applied for abroad, and an extended permit can only be applied for in Finland.
The specialist page does not state the fee, so check the processing fees page. Online applications have a lower fee than paper ones.
The EU Blue Card
For an EU Blue Card, Migri says you must have a signed employment contract or a binding job offer and your work must last at least a year. You also need a higher education degree that shows a minimum of three years of study.
The card is issued for a maximum of two years at a time. You may work in employment that requires high-level competence, and the permit is not bound to a certain employer. The card gives the right to work only in Finland.
Migri's Blue Card page does not state a salary threshold, only that the job offer must state your salary. A separate Migri page showed the same level for the Blue Card as for the specialist permit in 2024 and said it is reviewed annually, so confirm the current figure before you apply.
Blue Card fees and mobility
The Migri Blue Card page lists these fees: for an electronic application EUR 410 for a first permit and EUR 260 for an extended permit, and for a paper application EUR 610 and EUR 330. Fees are revised, so check the processing fees page.
If Finland granted your card, you can move to a second EU member state. If that state does not grant you a card, you can return to Finland, and you may stay in Finland for three months after your Finnish card expires. If Finland grants your family member a residence permit, they may move with you to a second EU member state.
Choosing between them
The specialist permit has a clear salary figure and a fast track. The EU Blue Card is not tied to one employer and gives mobility inside the EU. Look at your own situation: the length of your contract, your degree, your plans to move, and whether your employer is used to the fast-track process. If you qualify for both, ask your employer which they prefer, then confirm the details on the Migri pages.
Common mistakes
Do not count allowances or fringe benefits towards the specialist salary. Do not use last year's salary threshold. Do not apply for the first permit from inside Finland unless the rules allow it. And do not forget that the Blue Card needs a contract or binding offer for at least a year.
Common questions
What is the specialist salary in 2026?
At least EUR 3,937 gross per month, with fringe benefits not counted.
Can I get the permit quickly?
You can apply through the fast-track service and receive a specialist permit in two weeks.
Do I need a degree?
As a rule yes, a higher education degree. Without one you need special expertise verified by your employer.
How long is the EU Blue Card valid?
A maximum of two years at a time, and it is not bound to a certain employer.
Can I move to another EU country with a Blue Card?
Yes, if Finland granted your card you can move to a second member state. If that state does not grant you a card, you can return to Finland.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules change often. We last checked it on 31 October 2026, so please confirm the details on the official page before you apply.