The Finnish Immigration Service to establish new reception centres

The Finnish Immigration Service is preparing to set up new reception centres due to the increased need to provide accommodation for people fleeing Ukraine.

In addition to reception centres, the Finnish Immigration Service can set up service points for private accommodation, through which those seeking asylum or temporary protection who have arranged accommodation themselves can access the reception services, such as healthcare and social services and the reception allowance. Most Ukrainians fleeing to Finland are staying in private accommodation.

Some of the new reception centres are branches of existing reception centres. The Finnish Immigration Service continues to increase the number of accommodation places in existing reception centres. 

The Finnish Immigration Service is responsible for the coordination, planning and supervision of the reception system. The Finnish Immigration Service has reception centres in Helsinki, Lappeenranta (Joutseno) and Oulu. Other reception centres are maintained by non-governmental organisations, municipalities and companies.

New reception centres as of 18 March 2022

• Joensuu reception centre, the Finnish Red Cross, 200 places. Opens by 4 April 2022.
• Joensuu reception centre’s service point for private accommodation, the Finnish Red Cross. Opens by 4 April 2022,
• Kemi reception centre, branch of the Rovaniemi reception centre, the Finnish Red Cross, 150 places. Opens by 25 March 2022.
• Kemijärvi reception centre, branch of the Rovaniemi reception centre, the Finnish Red Cross, 300 places. Opens by 31 March 2022.
• Kuopio reception centre, Setlementti Puijola, 200 places. Opens by 31 March 2022.
• Kuopio reception centre’s service point for private accommodation. Setlementti Puijola. Opens by 31 March 2022.
• Branch of the Lahti reception centre, the Finnish Red Cross, 50 places. Opens by 18 March 2022.
• Branch of the Lahti reception centre, Nastolan haja-asunnot, the Finnish Red Cross, 230 places. Opens by 31 March 2022.
• Pieksämäki branch of the Mikkeli reception centre, the Finnish Red Cross, 150 places. Opens immediately.
• Ristiina branch of the Mikkeli reception centre, the Finnish Red Cross, 200 places. Opens by 25 March 2022.
• Savonlinna branch of the Mikkeli reception centre, the Finnish Red Cross, 50 places. Opens by 25 March 2022.
• Pori reception centre, branch, the Finnish Red Cross, 200 places. Opens by 21 March 2022.
• Branch of the Rovaniemi reception centre, emergency housing unit Metsäruusu, the Finnish Red Cross, 140 places. Opens by 21 March 2022.
• Pansio reception centre, branch of the Turku reception centre, the Finnish Red Cross, 70 places. Opens by 21 March 2022.

Reception centres previously established following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

• Espoo reception centre, Luona Oy, 500 places. Opens by 16 March 2022.
• Espoo reception centre’s service point for private accommodation, Luona Oy. Opening soon.
• Seinäjoki reception centre, the Finnish Red Cross, 200 places. Opens by separate agreement.
• Seinäjoki reception centre’s service point for private accommodation, the Finnish Red Cross. Opens by 17 March 2022.
• Rovaniemi reception centre’s Kemi service point for private accommodation, the Finnish Red Cross. Opens by 22 March 2022.

Further information

• Press release, 16 March 2022: 
• Press release, 8 March 2022: The Red Cross supports the Finnish Immigration Service with information on how to help people affected by the crisis in Ukraine
• Press release, 3 March 2022: Migri asks for advance information about transport of Ukrainians to Finland
• Reception centres
• General information on living in a reception centre and staying in private accommodation
• Frequently asked questions related to the accommodation of Ukrainian refugees on the Finnish Immigration Service website.

Further information for the media:

Director of the Reception Unit, Pekka Nuutinen, tel. 0295 433 037, email: [email protected]