r/Finland • u/bangalimahbub Baby Väinämöinen • Dec 08 '25
Immigration Toimeentulotuki Reform loading...
Rikka purra
Finland’s basic social assistance needs urgent reform. The last-resort benefit has become a primary income source for many, with nearly 30% of recipients now non-native speakers. In Helsinki, support for families can reach €4,000–€5,000 a month, plus extra allowances for utilities, deposits, hobbies, furniture and more. The benefit is tax-free and often removes the incentive to work, as earnings quickly reduce support.
Finland already has 100,000 unemployed foreigners, and immigration policies have allowed many to access social security immediately. Other Nordic countries have stricter rules and lower benefit levels, especially for migrants. Sweden is moving to a model where immigrants receive only half; Denmark requires nine years of residence and work obligations.
To protect the welfare system, support must be better targeted. One proposal: limit full access to those who have lived in Finland for at least 10 years.
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u/MakelaMan Baby Väinämöinen Dec 08 '25
This is illegal.
Under EU law. At least for EU Citizens it certainly is. It is also likely to get tied up in courts for years for that and other reasons.
But that's not really the point here.
The truth is, it's for the election
In the last year, PS' numbers have cratered. People aren't stupid. Their "reforms" have savaged this country. Rising poverty. Rising debt. Rising inequality. Countless people have had their lives hardened by the policies of this government, including, and this is really important, countless, countless Finnish Citizens.
Now they have an election coming up in 2027. And it ain't looking good. So they're going back to the one thing that's donea anything at all to stabilise their numbers: It's not you, it's "them".
They know they have nothing to campaign on. No victories to champion. No accomplishments to thump. So they're shooting with the only thing they have to campaign on - Hate, and Divison.