Compulsory Education in Finland
Studying and learning materials are free of charge for young people subject to compulsory education in Finland, regardless of nationality.
A child under the age of 18 who has moved to Finland with their family or guardian becomes subject to compulsory education after being granted a municipality of residence in Finland. The grounds on which the family sponsor’s residence permit was issued are not relevant.
A student who comes to Finland for study purposes and is a citizen of a country other than an EU/EEA countries or Switzerland is not subject to compulsory education in Finland. Therefore, they are not entitled to education free of charge.
Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens
If you start your studies on or after 1 August 2026 and you are a citizen of a country outside the EU and EEA or Switzerland, you may be required to pay a tuition fee.
The tuition fee applies to you if:
- you have a temporary B residence permit, and you are not subject to compulsory education in Finland
- you have a continuous A residence permit, and your first residence permit has been issued on the basis of studies
- you have a continuous A residence permit based on family ties, and the residence permit of your sponsor – or the sponsor’s first residence permit – has been issued on the basis of studies
Omnia verifies the applicant’s residence permit details with the Finnish Immigration Service. Omnia cannot grant exemptions from tuition fees. The tuition fee must be paid before your studies begin and paying it is a requirement for participating in the studies.
The tuition fee does not include free meals, or study materials. However, you have the right to use student welfare services, such as health care and school social worker services, and also the right to learning support and special support.
You do not need to pay the tuition fee if you belong to a fee‑exempt group. For example, you do not pay the fee if you are compulsory secondary student, if you have a permanent residence permit, or if you receive international protection or temporary protection. Citizens of Ukraine are exempt from paying the tuition fee until 4 March 2027, because temporary protection is valid until that date.
Tuition fees starting from 1 August 2026
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Apprenticeship training
Students who come to Finland for apprenticeship training require a work-based residence permit. Persons who hold a work-based residence permit in Finland and take part in apprenticeship training are not required to pay tuition fees.
Students may also transfer to apprenticeship training during their studies. This does not exempt them from tuition fees.
A student who is subject to a tuition fee is not entitled to student financial benefits in apprenticeship training.
Terms of pricing and payment
- The tuition fee for the first academic year must be paid in full before the studies begin. The fee will only be refunded if the admitted student is unable to start their studies because a residence permit is not granted. An academic year consists of five study periods starting from the first day of studies. Any studies completed during the summer are included in the tuition fee.
- The tuition fee for the following academic years is determined according to the planned duration of the studies, as defined at the beginning of the studies, calculated to the accuracy of one study period. The price of one study period is one fifth of the full academic year fee. The fee must be paid before the studies on which the invoice is based begin.
- The estimated graduation date / end date of the studies may be adjusted by the teacher and the student, provided that a written agreement is made before the start of the new academic year.
- If the student does not graduate within the planned schedule and wishes to continue their studies, they must pay the tuition fee corresponding to the newly planned study period without delay before the studies can continue.
- The tuition fee that has been paid will not be refunded if the studies are discontinued.
- If the student’s studies are temporarily interrupted for a reason stated in Section 23 of the General Upper Secondary Education Act (1217/2020) or Section 96 of the Vocational Education and Training Act (1218/2020), the portion of the tuition fee already paid that corresponds to the period of interruption will be credited to the tuition fee for the following academic year. The interruption must last at least one study period to be eligible for a credit, and the credit is granted only for full study periods. No credit can be granted for interruptions shorter than one period.
If the student’s obligation to pay a tuition fee ends during the academic year due to a change in the basis of their residence permit, they may apply for a refund of the tuition fee already paid. The refund must be applied for within six months of the end of the payment obligation. The portion of the tuition fee already paid that corresponds to the period after the exemption from the payment obligation will be refunded.
Study-related costs for EU and EEA citizens
For citizens of Finland and EU/EEA countries or Switzerland studying in vocational education and general upper secondary school is primarily free of charge. Students must have the personal tools and equipment required for their studies. Some qualifications may also include study fees.
Study fees in Further vocational qualification
In further vocational qualifications, completing studies through independent education is subject to a fee. Information about possible qualification-specific fees can be found on the education’s presentation page.
If the student has accepted the study place and resigns within one month of the start of the studies, 50% of the study fee will be charged. The full study fee will be charged for later resignations. We reserve the right to make changes. Cancellation of an apprenticeship is free of charge.
Apprenticeship training
Education provided through apprenticeship training is free of charge, with the exception of certain qualifications taught in Finnish starting on 1 August 2026.
Tools and equipment
Students must have the personal tools and equipment required for their studies, such as work clothing and footwear.
Students subject to compulsory education and those in labour market training receive the necessary tools free of charge. Other students are responsible for acquiring the required equipment themselves. Equipment required for occupational safety is provided by Omnia and remains the property of the institution.