EU citizens who have sought asylum in Finland will be granted income support for a few days only

Finland has restricted the right of EU citizens seeking asylum in Finland to reception services.  In future, EU citizens who seek asylum in Finland are entitled to stay in the reception centre only until they have been informed about a negative decision by the Finnish Immigration Service.

The Police and the Finnish Immigration Service have improved their services and EU citizens will receive information of refusal of admission in a few days. In practice, the amendment means that EU citizens seeking asylum will stay in the reception centers only for a few days. Income support will be granted only for the days spent the reception centre.  Income support is thus only some ten euros.

The amendment will enter into force on 1^st of July 2010.

Finland considers that the EU countries are safe and does not grant asylum for EU- citizens.