Annual tuition fees for vocational education for students from outside the EU or EEA

Annual tuition fees primarily apply to students who are citizens of countries outside the EU and EEA and who begin their upper secondary studies on or after 1 August 2026.
The obligation to pay the tuition fee depends on the type and basis of the student’s residence permit. Tuition fees may apply to a student whose first residence permit in Finland has been granted for the purpose of studies.

In vocational education, the obligation to pay tuition fees may in certain cases also apply to an adult who has come to Finland on the basis of family ties, if the sponsor’s first residence permit in Finland was granted on the basis of studies.

Both citizenship and the basis of the residence permit affect whether a student is required to pay tuition fees. The obligation is determined according to the applicable legislation.

Tuition fees apply to

• Citizens of third countries residing in Finland with a student residence permit (B) or another temporary residence permit (B).
• Persons residing in Finland with a continuous residence permit (A) whose first residence permit in Finland was granted on the basis of studies.
• Persons residing in Finland with a continuous residence permit (A) whose residence permit, or whose sponsor’s first residence permit in Finland, was granted on the basis of studies.

Who does not have to pay tuition fees?

Tuition fees are not charged, for example, to students who:

• are citizens of an EU or EEA country
• are citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
• hold a permanent residence permit in Finland
• hold a continuous residence permit granted on a basis other than studies
• receive international or temporary protection
• study through an apprenticeship programme
  (Note: this applies only to persons who have come to Finland for employment-based reasons, not for study purposes)
• are exchange students whose residence permit is valid for a maximum of one year
• hold an EU Blue Card or an EU long-term resident permit for third-country nationals
• are studying in labour market-funded training
• are studying in preparatory education for vocational training (TUVA).

When is the tuition fee paid?

If the student is already living in Finland, the tuition fee must be paid before the studies begin.

If the student is not yet residing in Finland, the tuition fee must be paid before applying for a residence permit.

What does the tuition fee include?

Students are entitled to student welfare services and learning support in accordance with Finnish legislation.

The tuition fee does not generally include housing, meals, study materials, or tools. 

Important notice

TAKK aims to keep the information on this page as up to date as possible. However, regulations regarding tuition fees and students’ payment obligations are based on current legislation and official authority guidelines.

Applicants should always verify the latest and official information regarding residence permits and student status in Finland on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) www.migri.fi