The municipal model for accommodation ends at the end of 2023

22.12.2023 12.17

Press release

The contracts between reception centres and municipalities were made for a fixed term and are valid until 31 December 2023. After this, the contracts will not be renewed as there is no longer a need for additional accommodation arrangements. The contracts will expire without notice.

The Finnish Immigration Service developed the municipality model for accommodation in spring 2022 as a response to the exceptional situation caused by the war of aggression in Russia. At the beginning of 2022, there were around 5,000 customers in the reception system, and by the end of the year their number had increased to around 43,500. The Finnish Immigration Service first announced the end of the municipality model on 12 June 2023.

The model was developed as a temporary solution to compensate municipalities for the costs of accommodation and guidance services for beneficiaries of temporary protection. The original purpose of the model was to enable people fleeing the war in Ukraine to stay in the place where they had settled when they arrived in Finland.

“In its decision, the Finnish Immigration Service also takes into account the fact that the majority of clients accommodated under the contracts will be able to apply for a municipality of residence in 2023. By applying for a municipality of residence, customers have the right to settle in the municipality of their choice”, says Elina Nurmi, Director of the Reception Unit.

Ukrainians have been encouraged to apply for a municipality of residence

Since June, the Finnish Immigration Service has provided information and guidance to Ukrainian clients accommodated under the municipal model about the end of the arrangement. In addition, special information meetings have been organised for local authorities and reception centres. The reception centres have supported clients in the transition to municipal residence by offering advice and guidance.

The maximum number of people accommodated under the model was around 6,300 at its highest, around 4,700 of whom have since obtained a municipality of residence. For those who cannot or do not want to become residents of a municipality, accommodation in a reception centre has been offered. A few hundred people are moving from the accommodation under the municipal model to the reception centres.

“We are really grateful to all the municipalities involved for their cooperation in implementing the municipal model and for supporting Ukrainians in obtaining their full residence in municipalities", says Nurmi.