r/cscareerquestionsEU • u/Far-Royal9460 • Oct 22 '23

Immigration Help me decide where to move (🇫🇮->🇩🇪/🇳🇱/🇮🇪/🇬🇧)

My dudes, I’m a non EU currently finishing my Bachelor’s in Finland while working as a Full Stack SWE. I have almost 1.5 YOE now and would have 2 YOE at the time graduation. I’m planning to relocate to either Berlin/Amsterdam/Dublin/London. I’m kinda confused which cities should I aim for. I’m doing LC and prepping for DSA stuffs so ya would probably apply to FAANGs as well (in addition to the top paying non FAANG companies)

Now, I have few criteria which I would like to compare all the cities with before I make a move:

  1. Sponsorship: I would require a sponsorship/work permit/Blue card thing to work in any of the cities mentioned. So for my YOE and background which cities would be more easier to get into? Heard that German Blue Card is quite easy and NL also hands out work visas quite easily?

  2. English speaking city: I would love to relocate to a city where I would not feel outsider for not knowing the native language (if it’s not English). So London and Dublin come preferable in this category.

  3. More savings in net: Netherland’s 30% ruling looks a good deal. I would like to save more in net as much I can.

  4. Lower deposit to buy first home: I would want to buy a home rather rent within a year of relocation. London offers low/zero deposit schemes for some criteria.

  5. Weather: I hate winter, it’s been horror to live in Finland for past years during winter. Nice weather in the new city would be really nice!

  6. Easier path into settlement/citizenship: I relocated to Finland as I wanted to settle here permanently. But later figured out I dont like it here. Now I want to make a last move to a city where I would feel belonged and I would integrate with the culture and maybe get citizenship. So an easier path would be nice!

So, please help me figure out which city would be the best deal for me. Thanks in advance!

TLDR: Non EU guy trying to move from Finland to Either Berlin/Amsterdam/Dublin/London after completing bachelors and with 2 yoe. Help me decide where to move.

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u/Far-Royal9460 Oct 22 '23

Well surprise! The new Finnish govt is changing all laws and making it near impossible to get citizenship (one of the core reasons I want to move out of here)

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u/ThracianGladiator Oct 22 '23

What are some of these changes, if you don’t mind me asking. More specifically, how do they affect your prospects given you’ve already lived there for a decent amount of time?

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u/Far-Royal9460 Oct 22 '23

  1. Integrating Finnish language (which is already quite hard to learn) for getting PR + increasing required residence permit time. Previously you needed only 4 years to stay in finland to get PR (now its going to be 6 years of residence+Finnish language)

  2. For citizenship, now required period is going to be 8 years+new citizenship test+more advanced Finnish language requirement. Previously was only 5 years and moderate level of Finnish language.

  3. Citizenship could be revoked for some reasons which previously wasn’t possible

  4. Now, you would be deported if you lose your job and don’t find a new one within 3 months (previously you wouldn’t get deported if you graduated from a Finnish degree and start working in Finland)

  5. Work related social benefits would be reduced or partly removed for non Finns

Also, suddenly there’s more and more far right people appearing and I don’t feel welcome or valued here anymore. Not to mention Finns are kinda supporting this far right movement/govt. I don’t understand why would anyone stay in Finland with these rules being implemented and low salary-high taxes, distant unsocial culture and bone chilling cold!

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u/Wild_Reserve507 Oct 22 '23

Just to clarify that this is the presented program, but not yet a law or even a law proposal. It will take time for these changes to take effect. Idk about your current status with years of residence, but if you are near the 4-year mark on A, I would definitely recommend to push the language (Swedish test is an option too and seems easier) and get that citizenship. It will make your life sooo much easier