Lifestyle

New country hunting for South Africans – with compulsory 4-week ‘summer holiday’ and a R87,500 bonus to pay for it

Malcolm Libera

 ·13 Jun 2026

Finland is stepping up efforts to attract foreign workers, including South Africans, to address its severe labour shortages caused by an ageing population and a shrinking workforce.

While countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have been popular destinations for skilled South Africans, Finland has emerged as another option for professionals looking to work abroad.

The Nordic nation faces one of the most significant demographic and skills challenges in the European Union (EU).

As more workers retire and fewer young people enter the labour market, the Finnish government has identified work-based immigration as a key part of its economic strategy.

Through its Talent Boost Programme, Finland has stated that international recruitment is essential to supporting economic growth, innovation and public services.

To make relocation easier, the country has introduced a fast-track residence permit process that can approve applications from highly skilled specialists and their families within 14 days.

Finland’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has listed more than 50 occupations experiencing critical shortages. Many of these roles align closely with skills commonly found in South Africa.

Technology remains one of the biggest areas of demand, with employers seeking software developers, cloud architects, cybersecurity specialists, artificial intelligence experts and data engineers.

Engineering roles are also in short supply, including in civil, mechanical and clean-energy fields. Healthcare workers, including registered nurses, doctors and occupational therapists, are being recruited. 

One factor that may appeal to South African professionals is that Finnish language proficiency is often not required for many technology positions.

Large technology companies, multinational firms and start-ups in the capital, Helsinki, frequently operate in English.

Finland has also established channels to strengthen ties with South Africa. Team Finland South Africa, based in Pretoria, works to promote cooperation between the two countries.

These partnerships have helped create opportunities for South African engineering and technology professionals.

Finland is known for its employee benefits and work-life balance

According to labour market analysts, overseas recruitment targeting South Africans has increased steadily in recent years.

Pnet Head of Insights Paul Byrne previously noted that international employers have been significantly expanding their recruitment efforts aimed at South African talent, with growing numbers of foreign job advertisements appearing on local platforms.

The salaries on offer in Finland are competitive by South African standards, particularly in specialised fields.

The minimum salary threshold for highly skilled specialists and EU Blue Card applicants is around €3,937 per month, equivalent to roughly R78,000.

Technology professionals can earn considerably more. Cloud architects and cyber managers typically earn between €5,800 and €8,800 a month, or approximately R115,000 to R175,000. 

Senior IT engineers earn about €5,915 per month, while software engineers generally receive between €4,500 and €6,800 monthly.

Engineers in civil and mechanical disciplines can expect salaries ranging from €4,000 to €5,600 per month.

Registered nurses earn between €3,300 and €4,200, while primary school teachers typically receive between €3,400 and €4,500.

Finland is also known for its employee benefits and work-life balance. Finland legally requires employees to take a four-week “summer holiday”.

Under the Finnish Annual Holidays Act, employers are obligated to grant four weeks of annual leave during the summer season, which runs from 2 May to 30 September.

In Finland, employees receive a holiday bonus—typically 50% of their monthly salary—just before taking summer leave.

For someone earning approximately €4,500 a month, this could amount to roughly €2,200, or about R87,500, paid specifically to support their summer holiday.

Employers also frequently provide relocation assistance, including flights, temporary accommodation, and help with administrative processes such as opening bank accounts and enrolling children in schools.

In addition, many companies offer subsidised vouchers for meals, transport, fitness activities and cultural events, while occupational healthcare services are provided free to employees through employer-funded private healthcare arrangements.

The South African expat community in Finland is small but stable, consisting of an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 residents.

South Africans relocating to Finland overwhelmingly settle in major urban and economic hubs.

These include Helsinki, Espoo, Tampere, and Vantaa due to the high concentration of English-speaking corporate environments, tech companies, and universities.

Finland – Photos