More than four million Ukrainian refugees have applied for temporary protection in the EU since Russia's full-scale invasion, but fewer and fewer are seeking refuge in Finland, according to figures from Finnish immigration service Migri.
This year a total of 11,762 Ukrainians have applied for temporary protection in Finland, a 37 percent drop from the same time last year.
When a person granted temporary protection has lived in Finland for a year, they can apply for a municipality of residence. According to Migri, there are 9,400 Ukrainians living in reception centres who have not applied for a home municipality despite qualifying for it.
To date some 27,000 Ukrainians have gained residency, also known as right of domicile, a status carrying full entitlement to all locally-provided services, such as early childhood education. Registration as a local resident also brings inclusion in employment services, and for example, housing allowances from the national Social Insurance Institution (Kela), if needed.
Finland, along with other European Union member states, has extended temporary protection provisions until the spring of 2026.
Migri has said it expects between 8,000 and 12,000 people to seek temporary protection in Finland next year.
2 Feb: Removed erroneous references to "asylum" throughout.
