Deportation Lawyer Finland
Deportation (maastapoistaminen) is an order to leave Finland, typically issued when a residence permit has expired or been revoked, or when a person is residing in Finland without a valid permit. You can appeal a deportation decision — the appeal deadline and procedure must always be verified from the appeal instructions (valitusosoitus) included with the decision. A&Co. Legal represents clients in deportation appeals, voluntary departure negotiations, and applications to suspend enforcement.
A deportation order (maastapoistaminen) requires you to leave Finland. You can appeal — the exact deadline and procedure are stated in the appeal instructions (valitusosoitus) included with the decision.
What is deportation in Finnish law?
Deportation (maastapoistaminen) is an administrative order requiring a foreign national to leave Finland. It is issued under the Aliens Act and is typically accompanied by an entry ban. Deportation can be ordered when a person's residence permit has expired or been revoked, when a person is residing in Finland without a valid permit, or when a person has committed a crime that meets the deportation threshold. Deportation is not a criminal punishment — it is an administrative measure. However, it has serious consequences: it means you must leave Finland, and an entry ban may prevent you from returning. A deportation decision can be appealed to the administrative court.
What is the difference between deportation and removal?
In Finnish law, deportation (maastapoistaminen) and removal (karkotus) are two related but distinct measures. Deportation is ordered when a person's permit has expired or been revoked, or when they are residing without a valid permit. Removal (karkotus) is ordered when a person has entered Finland illegally or is considered a threat to public order or security, and it is typically issued in an accelerated procedure. The appeal deadlines and procedures differ: deportation decisions and removal decisions are appealed to the administrative court within the deadline stated in the appeal instructions, while removal decisions may have shorter deadlines. Both can result in an entry ban. A lawyer can determine which measure applies to your case and what the appeal options are.
How do you appeal a deportation decision?
A deportation decision can be appealed to the relevant administrative court. The applicable deadline and appeal procedure must always be verified from the appeal instructions provided with the decision. The appeal must state the grounds — for example, that the deportation order is disproportionate, that the conditions for deportation are not met, that humanitarian grounds prevent return, or that the decision violates the European Convention on Human Rights (for example, under the principle of non-refoulement). During the appeal, enforcement of the deportation is generally suspended, meaning you can remain in Finland while the appeal is pending. A lawyer can assess the decision, identify the strongest grounds for appeal, and draft the appeal. In urgent cases, a lawyer can also apply to suspend enforcement even if the deportation has not yet been appealed.
Can you get a residence permit after a deportation order?
It is possible but difficult. A deportation order is typically accompanied by an entry ban, which prevents you from entering Finland (and usually the entire Schengen area) for a set period. If you want to apply for a new residence permit while an entry ban is in effect, you generally need to have the entry ban lifted first — or demonstrate that the new application falls within an exception. The Supreme Administrative Court's ruling KHO:2026:66 (3 September 2026) addressed how an entry ban affects a new residence permit application. In some cases, changed circumstances (e.g., a new family tie, a new job offer, or the passage of time) can be grounds to lift the ban and apply for a new permit. A lawyer can assess whether this is realistic in your situation.
What is voluntary departure and why does it matter?
Voluntary departure (vapaaehtoinen paluu) is an option where you leave Finland on your own within a set deadline, rather than being removed by force. Choosing voluntary departure can have practical advantages: it avoids the costs of forced removal, it can make it easier to apply for a visa or permit in the future, and in some cases it can affect the duration of the entry ban. Voluntary departure is arranged through the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Finland. It does not prevent you from appealing the deportation decision — you can appeal even if you have agreed to depart voluntarily. A lawyer can advise on whether voluntary departure is the right option in your situation and how it interacts with your appeal rights.
How much does a deportation lawyer cost?
Many deportation cases qualify for public legal aid, which covers most or all of the lawyer's fees for applicants meeting the income thresholds. For private clients, our hourly rate is 250 EUR/h. Drafting a deportation appeal typically costs 1,500–3,500 EUR depending on complexity, and full representation in an administrative court hearing adds 2,000–5,000 EUR. Urgent applications to suspend enforcement are billed separately. We always provide a written cost estimate before starting any work. If you qualify for legal aid, your out-of-pocket cost may be zero or a small deductible.
Entry Ban Finland
Deportation is often accompanied by an entry ban. If you have received both a deportation order and an entry ban, see our dedicated Entry Ban Finland page for analysis of how the entry ban affects future applications, including KHO:2026:66.
Learn about entry bans in FinlandRelated pages
Sources
- Aliens Act (301/2004) – Finlex (English translation)
- Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) – English
- Migri – Permanent residence permit
- Migri – Application for a permanent residence permit
- Migri – Amendments to Aliens Act 2026 (permanent residence permits)
- Migri – Period of residence requirement
- Supreme Administrative Court (KHO) – decisions
- EU Return Directive (2008/115/EC) – EUR-Lex
Content reviewed by: Pezhman Ahmadi, OTM — Immigration Law
Updated: September 26, 2026
Received a deportation order?
The appeal deadline is strict and stated in the valitusosoitus — contact us immediately. We assess the decision, identify grounds for appeal, and can apply to suspend enforcement.