The Finnish Immigration Service has announced plans to close 18 asylum seeker reception centers this year, with an additional eight centers set to shut down in February 2026.
The decision comes in response to a significant drop in asylum applications, which fell by 45% last year compared to 2023. Notably, the number of arrivals from Ukraine has also declined.
Approximately 2,200 residents of the affected centers will have the option to apply for residency in Finland.
Meanwhile, the Finnish government has requested parliament to extend until the end of 2026 a law permitting the rejection of asylum applications from migrants crossing the closed eastern border with Russia and their return.
