After Finland’s new Integration Act comes into force on 1 January 2025, the country’s municipalities will assume overall responsibility for the provision of statutory services related to the integration of new arrivals from abroad. Integration services assist people who have moved to Finland with adapting to Finnish society, learning the Finnish and/or Swedish language, and finding a job.
In accordance with the new law, the City of Helsinki-owned enterprise that assists residents to find work, Helsinki Employment Services, will in future be responsible for promoting the integration of both incoming residents who are seeking employment and those who may be outside the labour force for various reasons.
The services in question first offer an assessment of the individual’s competences and need for integration services. If necessary, an integration plan is then jointly prepared and the new residents of the city can start their integration training. The renewed legislation also introduces new service components, such as a civil orientation that seeks to provide information on the workings of Finnish society to newcomers, either in their own language or in another language they know well.
In Helsinki, integration services are available at the Helsinki Employment Services service locations in the districts of Itäkeskus, Alppila and Kamppi. Service is available in Finnish, Swedish and English, as well as in other languages via an interpreter.
Helsinki is home to the largest number of foreign-born residents
The reform aims to improve Finland’s services for new arrivals to the country and facilitate their access to employment and educational opportunities. At the start of the year, the City of Helsinki will assume responsibility for an estimated 6,000 integration services clients.
“Even from a nationwide perspective, Helsinki has a key role to play in integration because more foreign-born residents live in the capital than in any other municipality in Finland. Migration from abroad is a prerequisite for ensuring Helsinki’s continued economic vitality. The majority of people who move to Finland from abroad are of working and studying age, which enhances labour force availability,” said Glenn Gassen, director of the City of Helsinki’s Migration Affairs.
The goal of integration services is to provide new arrivals to the country with sufficient skills and training for them to become an active, fully-fledged and contributing member of Finnish society.
The City of Helsinki already provides many other targeted services to assist new residents from abroad, such as language classes for parents or guardians caring for little ones at home and the Social Services Division’s Special Services for Immigrants.
In addition, the city’s Helsinki-info advisory services are standing at the ready every weekday with guidance and advice about the city’s wide variety of services and issues related to migration.
Integration services
Helsinki Employment Services
Itäkeskus service location: Asiakkaankatu 3A, 00930 Helsinki (Mon-Fri 9–16)
Alppila service location: Viipurinkatu 2, 00510 Helsinki (Mon-Fri 9–16)
Kamppi service location: Malminkatu 34, 00100 Helsinki (Mon-Fri 9–16)
Tel: 09 310 36107
Helsinki Employment Services(Link leads to external service)
Helsinki-info advisory service offers guidance on general issues and immigration
Oodi service location: Töölönlahdenkatu 4, 00100 Helsinki (Mon-Thu 10–18, Fri 10–16)
Stoa service location: Turunlinnantie 1, 00900 Helsinki (Mon and Wed 9–16 and Fri 10–16)
Email: neuvonta@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program)
Tel: 09 31011 111 (Mon-Thu 9–16 and Fri 10–15)
Helsinki-info
Special Services for Immigrants
Services and guidance for immigrants, undocumented individuals, and victims of human trafficking from a social welfare perspective.
Guidance is available without an appointment at the Kalasatama Health and Well-being Center (Työpajankatu 14 A) on weekdays 8.15–16.00. (Room 1001, take a queue number for service.)
Guidance is available over the phone on weekdays 8–12 and 13–16 for immigrants and victims of human trafficking (tel. 09 31037577), as well as for undocumented individuals (tel. 09 31023747). Applications to use these special services can also be submitted online via the Maisa platform at maisa.fi
Special services for immigrants
This 31 December 2024 news item was updated on 29 January 2025.
