From August 2026 onwards, tuition fees for upper secondary education will mainly apply to third country students in general upper secondary education or in vocational education and training who arrive in Finland or stay in Finland on a residence permit for studies. A third-country national means a national of a country other than a Member State of the European Union, or of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

Persons who hold a permanent permit to reside in Finland, or who are exchange students, are not required to pay tuition fees. 

Central government transfers to municipalities may no longer be used by education providers to cover students who fall within the scope of tuition fees. The costs incurred in providing education to third-country students will therefore be covered through tuition fees.