Tuition Fees in Vocational Education and Training

Tuition fees apply to third country nationals who arrive in Finland and stay in Finland for the purpose of studying. A third-country national means a national of a country other than a Member State of the European Union or of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. 

Tuition fees apply to those who start their studies on or after 1 August 2026. 

Who is Required to Pay Tuition Fees? 

• Third-country nationals 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 was granted on the basis of studies 
• Persons residing in Finland with a continuous residence permit (A) are subject to tuition fees if their sponsor’s residence permit, or the sponsor’s first residence permit, was granted on the basis of studies 

They pay tuition fees until they are issued a permanent permit to reside in Finland.  

For young people within the scope of compulsory education, studying in Finland is free of charge. Anyone under the age of 18 who has arrived in Finland with their family or other guardian is within the scope of compulsory education once they have been assigned a municipality of residence in Finland. The grounds on which the sponsor's residence permit is issued are not relevant. 

Who Does not Pay Tuition Fees in Vocational Education and Training? 

• Persons residing in Finland with a permanent residence permit (P) 
• Persons residing in Finland with a continuous residence permit (A) (unless your or your sponsor’s permit is study-based) 
• Third-country nationals who hold an EU Blue Card or a long-term EU residence permit for a third-country national, as well as their family members 
• Exchange students who come to Finland to study for a maximum of one year do not pay tuition fees
• Persons who, at the start of their studies, have a residence permit based on temporary protection (Ukrainians). Temporary protection will end on 4 March 2027. 
• Persons granted international protection (asylum or subsidiary protection) 
• For young people within the scope of compulsory education, studying in Finland is free of charge
• Students who are covered by compulsory education 
• A person coming to Finland for apprenticeship training with a residence permit for employed persons is not required to pay tuition fees. A student coming to Finland for apprenticeship training must have a residence permit for employed persons in order to reside in Finland. A student may also transfer to apprenticeship training during their studies; however, this does not exempt the student from tuition fees. 
• Tuition fees do not apply to vocational education provided as labour market training 
• Tuition fees also do not apply to preparatory education for degree studies (TUVA) 

When Is Tuition Fee Status Checked? 

• If you are already in Finland, your tuition fee status is checked during the application process 
• If you apply from abroad, your tuition fee status is checked after you are selected as a student 

OSAO verifies the applicant’s residence permit details with the Finnish Immigration Service.  

When Do You Need to Pay? 

The tuition fee must be paid before your studies begin and paying it is a requirement for participating in the studies. OSAO does not have scholarships available for international students and cannot grant exemptions from tuition fees.  

Please note that students cannot be granted a residence permit unless the tuition fees have been paid. This means that the payment of the tuition fees is a prerequisite for a positive decision on a residence permit.   

How Much Are the Fees? 

• EUR 7,500–29,200 per student per academic year, depending on the qualification.  
• Here you can find the prices: Tuition Fees for Non‑EU/EEA Nationals | OSAO 

The tuition fee does not include free meals, or study materials. 

However, you have the right to use student welfare services (such as health care) and also the right to learning support and special support.  

More Information 

• Tuition fees – Frequently asked questions: Tuition fees in upper secondary education - OKM - Ministry of Education and Culture, Finland 
• Finnish Immigration Service: Tuition fees | Maahanmuuttovirasto