Practices for Companies in the Natural Product Collection Sector

Traditionally, people have come to Finland to collect natural products with a Schengen visa and without an employment relationship. However, following changes to the Seasonal Work Regulation, as of February 17, 2025, natural product collection is considered seasonal work. As a result, third-country nationals will need a seasonal work visa, a certificate for seasonal work, or a residence permit for seasonal work — and must be in an employment relationship to collect natural products in Finland. The type of permit required depends on the length of the employment.

More information on seasonal work permits is available on the Finnish Immigration Service’s website:

• Seasonal Work (migri.fi)

As of the 2025 berry picking season, the Seasonal Workers Act also applies to wild berry picking. Unlike previous practices, a picker must now be employed by the inviting company based in Finland, and all other requirements for seasonal work must be met. Visa-required pickers may apply for a seasonal work visa at a Finnish mission abroad for short-term work (up to 90 days). For longer periods, a seasonal residence permit is required.

Foreign nationals residing in Finland with a valid residence permit may continue to collect wild natural products independently without an employment relationship. They can gather and sell the products freely. However, if a natural product company organises the collection conditions for the pickers, the Act on the Legal Status of Foreigners Collecting Natural Products applies.

If you are an employer of foreign workers who collect natural products under Everyman’s Rights alongside their employment, or if you arrange the collection conditions in order to purchase their collected products, the Act on the Legal Status of Foreigners Collecting Natural Products applies. In such cases, you must have a valid positive decision on reliability as a natural product sector operator. If you are unsure whether the law applies to your situation, contact KEHA Centre and the occupational safety authority.

As a natural product collection sector operator under the Berry Act, you must:

• Not operate without a valid decision on reliability – required under penalty of a fine. Apply to KEHA Centre; the decision is valid for one year at a time.
• Inform the picker about: berry picking practices and conditions in Finland, the legal relationship between the picker and the company, the picker's rights and obligations, Everyman’s Rights, advisory and legal protection services, and any other relevant information.
• Pay all earned income to the picker before they leave Finland, and ensure real-time monitoring of their earnings.
• It is strictly prohibited (under penalty of a fine) to charge the picker for recruitment, travel arrangements to/from Finland, orientation, harvest monitoring, or to collect interest for financing their travel expenses.
• Do not charge excessive fees for accommodation, meals, certified vehicle use, or equipment. Costs charged to the picker must be reasonable and reflect actual expenses incurred by the operator.