Wild berry picking in Finland has been regulated under the Seasonal Workers Act since 2025. In accordance with this legislation, companies are required to hire foreign berry pickers, who must obtain a visa for a contractual employment relationship that permits them to apply for an entry permit to Finland. For stays of up to three months, these berry pickers may submit a seasonal work visa application at a Finnish mission abroad.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is actively preparing for the upcoming wild berry picking season in collaboration with Finland’s missions and relevant authorities. Preliminary data suggests that the number of applications for seasonal work visas in this domain has increased compared to the previous season. The Embassy of Finland in Bangkok is currently revising its procedures for processing seasonal work visa applications to enhance its capacity to manage the anticipated volume of submissions.
For the 2026 season, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will, for the first time, utilise reports from the Finnish Supervisory Agency regarding wild berry picking from 2025 in the processing of seasonal work visa applications. Finnish embassies are committed to thoroughly reviewing all applications, taking into account information from relevant authorities. Should the visa evaluation process reveal indications of employee exploitation or deficiencies in fulfilling statutory employer obligations, the application may be denied.
Companies employing berry pickers must comply with Finnish legislation and the terms of the employment contract, ensuring adequate working and living conditions. Furthermore, companies bear responsibility for the welfare of the berry pickers they recruit from abroad, as well as for safeguarding their rights.
