The Briefing
- Opens August 2026 at Ressu Comprehensive School.
- No English proficiency tests required for students.
- Placements are strictly capped at two years.
Starting in August 2026, Helsinki will introduce a new, fixed-term English-language class at Ressu Comprehensive School specifically designed for the children of temporary international residents.
This initiative removes traditional language testing barriers, allowing newly arrived expatriate families to secure public school placements more easily.
Finland is actively trying to attract international professionals to address labor shortages in sectors like technology and manufacturing. However, expatriate families often struggle to find schooling because private international schools are expensive and public bilingual programs usually demand strict entrance exams.
The new class at Ressu Comprehensive School aims to address this gap by offering tuition-free English instruction for up to two years. It will accommodate students from grades 1 through 9, meaning children aged 7 to 16 may initially learn in the same class.
Whenever possible, these students will study alongside peers of the same age in the school’s regular English-language instruction groups.
Future options include preparatory Finnish or Swedish classes, transitioning to a local neighborhood school, or applying for standard English-language education programs in the city.
No English test needed
Unlike the school’s standard international track, applicants do not need to pass an English language test. They also are not required to have any prior education in English.
To be eligible, students must live in Helsinki, be born outside of Finland, and hold non-Finnish citizenship. Parents must provide official proof of their temporary stay, such as an immigration residence permit or a short-term employment certificate.
Families can apply for the program year-round by filling out a form on the city’s English-language education website. Along with the application, parents must submit a translated copy of the child’s most recent school certificate.
Applications are processed every two weeks. Parents must immediately accept the placement once the school contacts them with a positive decision.
Because the program is temporary, the school placement automatically expires after a maximum of two years. Families who decide to extend their time in Finland will not automatically transition into the school’s regular English program.
Instead, parents staying long-term must re-apply for a new educational path. Future options include preparatory Finnish or Swedish classes, transitioning to a local neighborhood school, or applying for standard English-language education programs in the city.
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