Seasonal work in Finland: Lapland winter tourism and berry picking

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Which seasons create jobs in Finland?

The Finnish labour market has two main seasonal hiring peaks. In winter, Lapland welcomes visitors from around the world for skiing, the northern lights, husky safaris and Santa Claus attractions. In summer, demand shifts to farming, berry picking and forestry work.

Winter roles include safari guides, chefs, waiters, room attendants, receptionists, ski instructors and cleaners. In summer, farms hire strawberry pickers and vegetable workers, while wild berry companies and forestry contractors recruit pickers and tree planters for short, intense periods of outdoor work.

Lapland, the heart of winter tourism

The resorts of Levi in Kittilä, Ylläs, Saariselkä, Pyhä-Luosto and Ruka, together with Rovaniemi, provide most of the jobs. Fell Lapland, around Enontekiö, Muonio, Kittilä and Kolari, even runs English-language information sessions for future seasonal workers each autumn.

High season runs from late November to early March, and some ski resorts stay open longer into spring. Companies start hiring in late summer for the following winter, and the Christmas period is the absolute peak of tourist activity in the region.

Berries, strawberries and summer farm work

Field strawberries are picked from late June to August, notably in Southwest Finland and Savonia. Wild bilberries and lingonberries are gathered from July to September in central and northern forests, with cloudberries growing in the bogs of Lapland.

Forestry and tree planting

Around 150 million seedlings are planted in Finland every year, mostly in spring and early summer. According to the sector, 1,500 to 2,000 foreign seasonal workers take part in forestry work each spring, especially planting and clearing young stands.

Who can work in Finland as a seasonal worker?

Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland do not need a permit, but must register their right of residence after three months. Other nationals fall under the Finnish Seasonal Workers Act, administered by Migri, the Finnish Immigration Service.

Migri’s seasonal permit

For stays under three months, visa-required nationals apply for a seasonal work visa at a Finnish mission, while visa-exempt nationals apply to Migri for a certificate for seasonal work. From three to nine months, a residence permit for seasonal work is required.

Seasonal work may not exceed nine months in any twelve-month period. Beyond six months, a labour market test checks whether suitable workers are available in Finland or the EU. It is forbidden to start working before receiving the permit or certificate.

Wild berry pickers: the rules since 2025

Since the amendments adopted on 17 February 2025, wild berry picking falls under the Seasonal Workers Act. An employment contract is mandatory, terms must follow the collective agreement, and Migri checks accommodation, charges made to workers and the employer’s ability to meet its obligations.

Processing times and permit volumes

Between January and May 2025, Migri processed certificates in about ten days and residence permits in about thirty days. By the end of May 2025, 1,906 seasonal permits had been granted, with Vietnamese, Thai and Indian applicants most common for residence permits.

Pay and working conditions

Finland has no statutory minimum wage. Minimum pay is set in sector collective agreements, many of which are generally binding on every employer in the sector, including foreign ones. Where no agreement applies, pay must still be normal and reasonable for the work.

Examples of pay in Lapland tourism

According to the official Lapland regional guide, a waiter with less than two years of experience earns at least EUR 11.31 per hour, and a young entry-level safari guide EUR 8.70. Sundays and Finnish public holidays are paid at double rate.

Adverts from specialised agencies for winter 2026-2027 show EUR 13 to 20 gross per hour for chefs, with contracts of 90 to 112.5 hours per three-week period. Staff housing usually costs between EUR 250 and 550 per month.

Costs, documents and pay items

Regular working time is 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week, with rotating schedules in restaurants. Overtime is paid at a premium of at least 50 percent. The table below summarises what to prepare before the season.

Steps to find a seasonal job

Job searching mainly runs through Job Market Finland, the public employment platform. Since 1 January 2025, the former TE offices have closed and their services have moved to municipal employment areas, while the online platform continues unchanged for jobseekers.

1. Choose between the Lapland winter season and the summer farm or forestry season.
2. Create a profile on Job Market Finland and browse English-language vacancies.
3. Apply from August or September for winter, from February for summer.
4. Check the applicable collective agreement and the cost of housing.
5. Sign a written contract stating pay, hours and duration.
6. Non-EU applicants: obtain the Migri certificate or permit before travelling.
7. On arrival, obtain a personal identity code, tax card and bank account.

Common mistakes and scams

Migri’s stricter checks specifically target the exploitation of seasonal workers, particularly in berry picking. Applicants should nevertheless remain cautious about certain intermediaries and promises of unrealistic earnings that circulate online every season.

• Paying excessive recruitment or visa fees to an intermediary.
• Starting work before Migri has issued a decision.
• Accepting piece rates with no reference to the collective agreement.
• Underestimating housing and travel costs in Lapland.
• Forgetting to request a tax card and facing high withholding.
• Arriving without clothing suited to extreme Lapland cold.

Frequently asked questions about seasonal work in Finland

The answers below cover the most common situations. They do not replace official information from Migri, Kela or the Finnish Tax Administration, which prevail whenever regulations change between one season and the next.

Do I need Finnish to work in Lapland?

Not in most cases. Lapland tourism companies publish many vacancies in English, which is the working language with an international clientele. Finnish or another language such as German or French can, however, increase pay and open more customer-facing roles.

Is accommodation provided in Lapland?

Often. Employers frequently offer housing within walking distance of the workplace, sometimes shared. Otherwise they help workers find somewhere. Having a car makes it much easier to search for flats in villages near the ski resorts.

Do Ukrainians need a seasonal permit?

Ukrainians holding temporary protection in Finland have an unrestricted right to work and do not need a separate seasonal permit. Ukrainians nevertheless remained the largest group of seasonal certificate applicants, accounting for 86 percent of requests filed in 2025.

Can I change employer during the season?

Yes. A seasonal permit holder can add a new employer through a separate application to Migri, within the nine-month limit. EU citizens can change employer freely without any immigration formalities, provided they keep their tax card up to date.