Finns Party chair and Finance Minister Riikka Purra spoke at a meeting of the Finns Party council in Helsinki on 14 December 2025. Photo: Roni Rekomaa / Lehtikuva
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The Finnish government is preparing to introduce new restrictions on immigration linked to education, Finance Minister Riikka Purra confirmed on Sunday during a speech to the Finns Party council in Helsinki. The proposed changes follow internal negotiations within the government and are expected to be announced before Christmas.
According to Purra, the reforms will target vulnerabilities created by earlier policy changes introduced under former Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s administration. Those changes had made it easier for international students and their family members to obtain residence permits and access social security.
Speaking at the event, Purra described the 2022 liberalisation of student-based immigration as “perhaps the most reckless immigration reform” of the previous government. She claimed that the new system allowed “one man to enrol in an English-language degree programme at a regional polytechnic and bring with him family members who from day one become eligible for social welfare services.”
“The government is now negotiating measures we have long called for,” Purra said. “I hope that before Christmas we will be able to announce changes that correct the previous term’s decisions.”
Under the 2022 reform, student residence permits were extended to cover the full duration of studies. Family reunification procedures were also simplified to attract skilled migrants. Purra argued the policy had instead led to a wave of migration from developing countries, along with exploitation by intermediaries and even reports of human trafficking.
“The student immigration channel has grown into the largest entry route to Finland and it is structurally unsound,” she said.
In addition to immigration policy, Purra addressed the state of the country’s regional health and social services system, known as the wellbeing services counties or “sote” regions. The system was overhauled under Marin’s government but has faced criticism over funding and operational inefficiencies.
“There are too many wellbeing services counties,” Purra said, although she acknowledged that the number of regions is less critical than their financial structure. She called the funding law both unstable and unfair.
At present, Finland has 21 such counties plus the city of Helsinki. A recent government review suggested the number could be reduced to between six and eleven.
Purra labelled the entire sote reform a failure. “Areas that do not need more money receive it, while regions with ageing populations and growing service needs do not get enough,” she said.
She also rejected calls by the opposition Centre Party for a debt restructuring process for counties under financial review. “The purpose of the review process is to bring finances and services under control,” she said.
The government is expected to submit a formal statement to parliament in early spring outlining steps to correct deficiencies in the sote system. According to Purra, major changes to the funding model would require years of preparation and may not take effect before 2029.
Purra declined to comment on the controversy surrounding the dethroning of Sarah Dzafce, a former Miss Finland, after a photograph surfaced of her mimicking an East Asian stereotype. In response, several Finns Party politicians posted similar photos in what appeared to be a gesture of protest.
Asked whether this behaviour risked inflaming racial tensions, Purra reiterated her focus on policy issues and declined further comment. She said the government’s main priority must be fixing the economy and reforming immigration and welfare.
“The economy has drifted into deep trouble,” she said, blaming what she called past inaction and structural inefficiencies. “We are now facing their consequences.”
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
