Seasonal forestry jobs in Finland: tree planting, clearing work and collective agreements

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What does a seasonal forestry worker do in Finland?

Finland, covered by forest across most of its territory, regenerates its harvested stands every year. Seasonal forestry workers plant pine, spruce or birch seedlings on prepared sites, then tend young stands so that the remaining trees grow faster and healthier.

The two key tasks are planting and clearing saw work, known as taimikonhoito, which thins out young stands. The work is physical, outdoors and often far from towns, with long days and heavy exposure to mosquitoes and changing weather throughout the season.

How many trees are planted each year?

Around 150 million seedlings are planted in Finland every year, according to the Finnish Forest Centre as cited by the sector. Nurseries delivered nearly 175 million in 2019. This volume explains the huge labour needs concentrated into just a few weeks.

The forestry season calendar

Planting mostly takes place in spring and early summer, as soon as the ground has thawed. In the north it starts about a month later because of snow. Roughly a quarter of the planting carried out by Metsähallitus also takes place in autumn.

Who employs seasonal forest workers?

Employers include forestry service companies working for the large forest groups, subcontracting entrepreneurs, the state enterprise Metsähallitus and private forest owners. At Metsä Group, nearly 300 contractors employ around 1,000 professionals during the season when the ground is unfrozen.

Who can work in Finnish forests?

Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland work without a permit and register their residence after three months. According to the sector, many planters come each spring from Ukraine and the Baltic states, alongside young Finns on summer jobs.

The seasonal permit for non-EU nationals

Forestry is one of the sectors covered by the Finnish Seasonal Workers Act. For stays under three months, a seasonal work visa or a Migri certificate is needed depending on nationality; from three to nine months, a residence permit for seasonal work is required.

Migri processing and checks

Spring applications mainly concern agriculture and forestry. In 2025, Migri processed certificates in about ten days and residence permits in about thirty days. Starting work before the decision is forbidden, even if the planting season has already begun.

Contractors and posted workers

The seasonal scheme excludes posted workers and freelancers without a contract with a Finnish company. At Metsä Group, foreign entrepreneurs must have a company registered in Finland, and subcontracting chains are inspected and approved separately before work begins.

Pay and working conditions in the forest

Finland has no statutory minimum wage, but the collective agreements for forestry, forest machinery and plant nurseries are generally binding. Every employer in the sector must apply them, including foreign companies that do not belong to any employers’ association.

Piece rates and allowances

Planting is usually paid according to the number of seedlings planted, within the framework of the forestry agreement. Tax-free allowances may include daily allowances and compensation for using your own clearing saw, as provided for in the collective agreement.

Young people hired by Metsä Group for four weeks of planting in June 2025 were paid according to the number of seedlings they planted. Employers may always pay above the agreed minimum, but never below it, whatever the worker’s nationality.

What to plan before the season

The table below lists the pay items, documents and equipment to check. Detailed rates are in the applicable collective agreement, which applicants should ask the employer to share before signing their employment contract.

Steps to secure a planting contract

Hiring decisions are made in winter, well before the thaw. Large groups open applications from February, and contractors build their teams at the same time. Applicants who prepare early get better sites and organised accommodation close to the planting areas.

1. Search Job Market Finland using the words istutus and metsuri.
2. Check the careers pages of the large forest groups from February.
3. Contact forestry service companies and regional contractors.
4. Ask which agreement applies and the rate paid per seedling.
5. Sign a written contract stating duration, housing and transport.
6. Non-EU applicants: obtain the Migri decision before arriving.
7. Pack waterproof clothing, safety boots and mosquito protection.

Common mistakes and pitfalls

Large groups audit their subcontractors, but a few irregularities are still found every year. Foreign workers recruited through several layers of intermediaries are the most exposed to abusive deductions and unpaid hours during the short planting season.

• Accepting a per-seedling rate without knowing the agreed minimum.
• Working for a subcontractor without a written contract.
• Paying unjustified recruitment or transport fees.
• Starting planting before Migri’s decision.
• Ignoring safety instructions and the right to refuse dangerous work.

Frequently asked questions about seasonal forestry jobs in Finland

The following answers cover the most common questions. Sector unions and the occupational safety and health authority can clarify the applicable rights in the event of a dispute with an employer or subcontractor.

Do I need experience to plant trees?

Not for basic planting, which large groups even entrust to 16 and 17 year olds. Clearing saw work, however, requires training and experience, because it is more technical and more dangerous than planting seedlings by hand.

Are foreign workers paid the same as Finns?

Yes. The generally binding agreement applies to everyone, and Metsä Group states that there is no pay difference between Finnish and foreign workers. Workers are entitled to the agreed minimum wage, equal treatment and trade union membership.

Can I refuse work I consider dangerous?

Yes. The sector safety guide states that workers may refuse work that endangers their own health or that of others. They must receive general and site-specific instructions, as well as maps, in a language they understand.

Can I combine planting and berry picking?

Yes, provided non-EU nationals stay within the limit of nine months in any twelve. A new employer can be added to the permit through a separate application to Migri before starting summer berry picking.