Thousands of young Ukrainians leave Finland for other EU countries over job struggles

Thousands of Ukrainians who fled to Finland are now leaving for other EU countries due to difficulties finding work, Yle reports. With temporary protection set to expire in early 2027, many face an uncertain future unless they secure employment.

Vladislava Onufrienko, 25, is among those departing. Despite years working as a freelance makeup artist and later in a university café, she has been unable to find stable work. “I tried everything I could,” she said. “It feels like this country doesn’t want me here.” Onufrienko, who speaks four languages and holds required certifications, will move to Estonia after failing to receive responses to job applications.

Andrii Kaminskyi, a trained construction engineer, also struggled to find work in Finland. “Even farms require Finnish; English isn’t enough,” he said. After fleeing the Russian-occupied Mariupol and initially settling in Estonia, he came to Finland in 2025 hoping for better opportunities. Now, he is returning to Estonia, where he previously found work immediately.

Finland’s temporary protection for Ukrainians ends in March 2027, leaving many like Kaminskyi in limbo. A 2023 survey by the Finnish Ministry of the Interior found 66% of Ukrainians under temporary protection do not plan to return home. Permanent residency requires securing a job or study placement—challenging in Finland’s high-unemployment environment, where Finnish language skills are often mandatory.

Some Ukrainians, like Hanna Didkivska, have relocated to Hungary, where Ukrainian employment rates are among Europe’s highest (71%, compared to Finland’s 40%). Didkivska, who fled with two children, found factory work in Hungary after months of unemployment in Finland. Others cite Estonia’s more flexible residency rules, where time under temporary protection counts toward permanent residency—unlike in Finland.

Marianna Kojokar, who arrived in 2025 with young children, left after being placed in a remote reception center in Lapland. “There was nothing but forest; civilization was 30 minutes away,” she said. Unable to find work or activities for her children, she departed after two months.

Finland’s unemployment rate remains the highest in the EU, and language barriers further hinder job prospects for migrants. Starting August 2025, non-EU/ETA students—potentially including Ukrainians—will face tuition fees, adding to the uncertainty.