Tuition Fees for Citizens from Outside the EU/EEA
Due to amendments to Finnish legislation governing vocational education and training, tuition fees will be introduced for students coming to Finland from outside the EU/EEA.
The tuition fee applies to students who begin their studies on or after 1 August 2026.
Who the tuition fee applies to
Tuition fees will be charged in vocational education and training to students from third countries. The fees apply to students who begin their studies on or after 1 August 2026.
Tuition fees apply to citizens of third countries who come to Finland to pursue vocational education and training and who reside in Finland on a residence permit issued for study purposes.
A third-country national is a person who is not a citizen of a Member State of the European Union or of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. Tuition fees do not apply to citizens of Ukraine until 4 March 2027, as temporary protection remains in force until that date.
Who the tuition fee does not apply to
Tuition fees are not charged, for example, to:
- Holders of a permanent residence permit
- Holders of a continuous residence permit provided that their first residence permit was granted on grounds other than studies
- Students subject to compulsory education
- Persons entering the country for apprenticeship training with a residence permit for employment
- Third-country nationals holding an EU Blue Card or an EU long-term residence permit
- Exchange students whose residence permit is valid for a maximum of one year
- Persons holding a residence permit based on temporary protection (e.g. citizens of Ukraine)
- Persons under international protection
- Persons participating in commissioned education
Applying for studies and payment of the tuition fee
- The applicant submits an application to the educational institution.
- The institution processes the application and makes an admission decision.
- The institution verifies whether the applicant is required to pay a tuition fee, based on the guidelines of the Finnish Immigration Service and the information provided by the applicant.
- The institution invoices the tuition fee for the first academic year to students who are subject to the fee.
- Once the tuition fee has been paid, the student may apply for a residence permit for studies. Students who are subject to the tuition fee cannot begin or participate in the education unless the fee has been paid. This requirement also applies to admitted students who are already residing in Finland and are subject to the tuition fee.
Tuition Fees and Fee Collection
The student’s tuition fee is determined based on the tuition fee schedule in force at the time the studies begin, and it remains valid for the entire duration of the studies. Students are informed in advance about the basis for determining the tuition fee during the application process.
The tuition fee is charged once a study place has been granted. Education providers receive information about students’ residence permit grounds through the Finnish Immigration Service. Payment of the tuition fee is a prerequisite for participation in teaching.
For initial vocational qualifications, the tuition fee for the first year is charged in full once the study place has been granted. Thereafter, the fee is charged semi-annually in advance. For further and specialist vocational qualifications, the fee for the entire study period is charged before the start of studies.
The tuition fee includes teaching and guidance in accordance with the qualification requirements, study materials, and the right to student welfare services as stipulated by regulations.
The tuition fee will be refunded in full if the selected student does not start their studies at all. If a student temporarily interrupts their studies for more than two months due to their own illness or that of their minor child residing in Finland, the tuition fee corresponding to the period of absence will be refunded. A medical certificate must be provided. If the student’s own illness or that of their minor child residing in Finland leads to the termination of studies, the tuition fee will be refunded from the date of termination onward. A medical certificate must be provided. In other cases of interruption, termination of studies, or resignation, tuition fees will not be refunded or compensated.
Tuition Fee Amounts
Vocational Qualification in Cleaning and Property Services – €8,300
Vocational Qualification in Information and Communications Technology – €9,700
Vocational Qualification in Hair and Beauty Care – €10,700
Vocational Qualification in Electrical and Automation Engineering – €10,700
Vocational Qualification in Building Services Engineering – €10,700
Vocational Qualification in Restaurant and Catering Services – €11,800
Vocational Qualification in Food Processing – €11,800
Vocational Qualification in Mechanical and Production Engineering – €12,600
Vocational Qualification in Construction (House Building) – €12,800
Vocational Qualification in Arts and Crafts – €12,800
Vocational Qualification in Vehicle Technology – €13,500
Vocational Qualification in Equine Studies – €14,600
Vocational Qualification in Agriculture – €14,600
Vocational Qualification in Logistics – €16,000
Vocational Qualification in Construction (Groundworks) – €16,000
Further and Specialist Vocational Qualifications (excluding natural resources and groundworks) – €7,700
Further and Specialist Vocational Qualifications in Natural Resources and Groundworks – €10,000.
Fees do not include meals or accommodation.
Further information
Ministry of Education and Culture: Tuition fees in upper secondary education
Vocational Education and Training Act, Section 105 a – Tuition fees charged from third-country nationals
Finnish Immigration Service: Studying in Finland
Further information provided by: