Key Points
- Finland is closing several reception centers due to a significant decline in asylum applications.
- Asylum applications in 2024 dropped by 45% compared to 2023.
- Closures will occur in phases from April 2025 to February 2026, affecting 26 centers.
Overview
Finland’s Immigration Service has announced the closure of multiple reception centers following a marked decline in asylum applications and an evolving refugee landscape. In 2024, asylum application numbers fell by 45% from the previous year, mainly due to fewer arrivals from Ukraine and a broader decrease in new applicants. Additionally, many asylum seekers have transitioned to permanent residency in Finnish municipalities, reducing the need for centralized reception services.
To respond to this shift, the Finnish government will terminate contracts with 18 reception centers as of April 1 and July 1, 2025, with an additional eight centers scheduled to close by February 2026. This move is expected to save the government approximately €21 million in 2025. Authorities have ensured that the timing of closures considers the welfare of children and youth by aligning the transitions with the academic calendar to avoid mid-year school disruptions.
More than 2,200 clients currently residing in the affected centers are eligible to apply for a municipality of residence. Those who choose not to or cannot use it will be offered alternative housing in other reception centers or through private accommodation. Center staff will play a key role in supporting individuals during this transition.
Reception centers closing in June 2025 include Kemi, Pieksämäki, Varkaus, Järvenpää, Porvoo, Satakunta, Vaasa, and the Kajaani Unit for Minors. Further closures will occur in September 2025, December 2025, and February 2026, spanning regions such as Vantaa, West Uusimaa, Forssa, Tampere, and Åland.
Looking Ahead
The reduction in Finland’s reception infrastructure signals a longer-term shift in the country’s asylum and refugee management strategy. Employers and community organizations working with refugee populations should prepare for an influx of individuals transitioning to municipal life, particularly those seeking employment, housing, and integration support. As the reception model evolves, stakeholders should monitor updates from the Finnish Immigration Service and the Ministry of the Interior for policy adjustments that may affect services, funding, or support initiatives.
