Studying in Finland has long been an attractive choice for many young Vietnamese people thanks to its high-quality education and safe living environment. However, the cost of living in major cities in Finland is not cheap. Working part-time while studying in Finland is not only about money, but also related to skills, cultural experiences and compliance with Finnish part-time work regulations.
I. Concerns of many Vietnamese students when coming to Finland
When deciding to study in Finland, many Vietnamese students often have a common concern: how to balance between studying and working while studying in Finland. Although the cost of living in Finland is lower than some other European countries, it is still a burden if the family cannot afford to support it all.
However, many students are still quite vague about the regulations on part-time work in Finland. With a Finnish student visa, how many hours a week are students allowed to work? Is the part-time salary in Finland enough to cover living expenses? When working, do you have to pay Finnish part-time tax? These are all practical questions that any student needs to carefully research before starting their journey to study and work in this Nordic country.
II. Is working part-time while studying in Finland the right choice?
- Financial support for studying abroad in Finland
Many students choose to work part-time in Finland to earn extra income to cover living expenses. With part-time wages in Finland ranging from 9–13 EUR/hour depending on the job, working helps reduce the economic burden on the family and creates initiative in life.
- Practice skills and gain experience working part-time in Finland
Participating in student jobs in Finland not only brings income but also an opportunity to improve foreign languages, communication skills and time management. The accumulated Finnish part-time work experience will help students easily adapt to the Finnish labor market after graduation.
- Expanding long-term employment opportunities
From part-time jobs in Finland, many students can find internships or even full-time jobs. This is a great advantage when applying for an extension or converting a Finnish student visa to a work visa, opening up the opportunity to stay and work long-term in this country.
- Note on Finnish overtime regulations
By law, international students are only allowed to work a limited number of hours (e.g. 30 hours/week during the semester). If violated, it may affect the status of the Finnish student visa. In addition, when earning income, students must pay Finnish part-time work tax according to regulations, so it is necessary to find out carefully before signing the contract.
- Risk of affecting learning
Some students are so focused on finding part-time jobs in Finland to earn money that they neglect their studies. This can easily lead to a decline in academic performance and even affect the possibility of extending their visa. Therefore, you need to consider carefully and choose a part-time job in Finland that fits your study schedule.
III. Legal regulations: Understand the law to avoid violations
1. Overtime limits in Finland
International students with a Finnish student visa are only allowed to work a maximum of 30 hours/week during the semester. During the summer break or official holidays, students can work full-time. This is an important point to understand to avoid violating Finnish part-time work regulations, because if violated, it can affect your residency application and future studies.
2. Visa conditions and part-time jobs
The Finnish student visa allows students to work part-time but requires that the work does not interfere with their studies. If you are found to be working overtime or skipping classes, you risk having your residence permit revoked. Therefore, compliance with the visa conditions is a prerequisite for continuing your studies in Finland.
3. Obligations to pay tax on overtime work in Finland
When earning income from part-time jobs, students need to register for a tax code and declare it fully. Finnish part-time tax usually ranges from 10% to 25% depending on the salary. Understanding and fulfilling tax obligations also helps students build credibility in their personal profile and makes it easier if they want to work long-term in Finland.
IV. The valuable benefits of part-time work
- Reduce financial pressure when studying abroad in Finland
Income from part-time jobs in Finland helps students cover part of the expensive living expenses such as housing, transportation, and food. Many students can fully pay for their rent thanks to their part-time jobs in Finland. Thanks to that, students can study more comfortably without having to worry too much about the financial burden from their families.
- Improve soft skills and foreign languages
Part-time jobs in Finland, especially in service, sales or customer support, help students improve their communication skills and become more confident when using English or Finnish. These are extremely useful part-time jobs in Finland for the future. In addition, this is also an opportunity for students to make friends and learn more about local culture.
- Accumulate practical experience
Jobs for students in Finland are often diverse: from restaurants, supermarkets, delivery to teaching assistants or internships. Each job helps students approach the real working environment, better understand the Finnish labor market. These experiences will become a big plus on the CV when applying for jobs after graduation.
- Create career orientation opportunities
Many students have found their passion and long-term career opportunities through part-time jobs in Finland. Having experience in part-time jobs will be a big plus when applying for full-time jobs or changing visas after graduation. Many students have even succeeded by turning part-time jobs into a springboard for their careers in Europe.
V. Things to consider when studying and working in Finland
- Balance between study and work
Although working part-time while studying in Finland has many benefits, studying is still the main goal. Students should choose a job with flexible hours to avoid affecting their study schedule and exam results. Prioritizing your studies will ensure that you do not lose sight of the core purpose of your study abroad journey.
- Find a job that matches your abilities
Finding a part-time job in Finland is not easy, especially if you are not good at Finnish. So, start with simple jobs for students, then gradually increase your level when you are familiar with the living and studying environment. Patience and proactively improving your skills will help you have the opportunity to access better jobs in the future.
- Prepare yourself for competition
The Finnish job market is highly competitive, so international students need to be patient when looking for a job. Make use of your network of friends, teachers and student recruitment channels to increase your chances. If you know how to build relationships and make a good impression, you will easily find a suitable job.
- Understand rights and obligations
Before signing a contract, students should carefully research the part-time salary in Finland, working hours and taxes. This will not only protect their rights but also avoid legal problems in the future. Careful preparation will help you work with peace of mind and focus more on your studies.
VI. Popular jobs for international students studying in Finland
1. Work in restaurants, cafes
This is a very popular part-time job in Finland, usually including serving, cleaning tables or helping in the kitchen. This job does not require much experience, suitable for new students who are not good at Finnish. The salary for part-time jobs in the food service industry in Finland is usually 9-12 EUR/hour, enough to cover basic living expenses.
2. Work at a supermarket or retail store
Supermarket jobs for students in Finland include arranging goods, working as a cashier or assisting customers. This is also a good environment to practice communication and at the same time help to better understand Finnish consumer culture. With an average salary of about 10-13 EUR/hour, this job provides a stable income for international students.
3. Delivery and express delivery
Many students choose food delivery or parcel delivery jobs because of their flexibility and low language requirements. This is a popular choice when looking for a part-time job in Finland, especially in big cities like Helsinki or Tampere. The part-time salary in Finland for this position ranges from 10–15 EUR/hour, depending on productivity.
4. Teaching or research assistant at school
For students who do well, universities often have positions as teaching assistants, research assistants or librarians. This is a part-time job in Finland that helps connect directly with the academic environment, increasing income and enhancing CV. The average salary can be from 12-18 EUR/hour and brings a lot of valuable Finnish part-time work experience.
5. Seasonal and seasonal work
During the holidays, students can participate in harvesting, snow clearing or local festivals. This is an opportunity to experience local culture and earn a significant amount of money. Seasonal work in Finland usually pays between 9–14 EUR/hour, sometimes with accommodation included.
6. Work online or freelance
For those with design, translation, writing or IT skills, part-time jobs in Finland are not limited to manual work. Many students find a good source of income through international online freelance projects. This job does not have a fixed salary, but if you have good skills, you can earn more than other popular jobs.
Conclusion
It can be seen that working part-time while studying in Finland is both an opportunity and a challenge. The opportunity lies in increasing income, improving skills, expanding relationships and accumulating valuable Finnish part-time work experience for the future. The challenge comes from time limits, language barriers, competition in the Finnish labor market and the risk of affecting learning outcomes.
