New figures from the Finnish Immigration Service reveal that Estonia leads the nationality breakdown of foreign nationals ordered to leave Finland due to criminal convictions this year. Finland deportation statistics 2025 show the country is taking strict action against individuals whose criminal records put public safety at risk.
Between January and July 2025, Migri issued 136 deportation decisions based on criminal grounds. Estonian citizens topped the list with 23 deportation orders. Iraq and Russia followed with 18 cases each. Other nationalities affected include Albania, Iran, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Romania.
The deportation data shows a significant gender imbalance. Out of 136 cases, 128 involved men and only 8 involved women. Age statistics indicate most deportees are between 18 and 64. Specifically, Migri issued 73 decisions for individuals aged 18–34 and 63 for those aged 35–64.
Of the 136 cases, 89 led to deportation, 33 resulted in no action, and 14 were dismissed. Among those set to be removed is Milan Jaff, a convicted gang figure associated with the so-called Kurdish Mafia. Jaff is to be deported to Iraq after convictions for attempted murder, aggravated robbery, and rape.
Finnish authorities revoked his residence permit and subsidiary protection status. He is now banned from entering any Schengen Area country or EU member state. Migri cited both the severity of his crimes and the improved security situation in parts of Iraq as reasons for denying protection. According to reports, Jaff has appealed the decision to the Helsinki Administrative Court. Police are holding him in a closed detention facility in Joutseno to prevent escape before deportation.
Finland’s deportation statistics align with wider EU trends. Eurostat reports that in the first quarter of 2025, 123,905 third-country nationals were ordered to leave the EU. This marked an 18.4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Despite the high number of orders, only 28,475 individuals were effectively returned to a third country.
France, Germany, and Spain issued the most removal orders, with France alone reporting 34,545. Among returns to third countries, Georgian citizens were the largest group, followed by Syrians, Albanians, Turks, and Moroccans. Over half of EU returns were voluntary, while countries like Germany and Romania conducted only enforced returns.
Detention of deportable persons in Finland is an administrative measure. The country operates two immigration detention units in Helsinki and Joutseno. Individuals held there may not leave the premises but can move freely within the facility and communicate externally. Finnish police and the Border Guard enforce deportations, while Migri handles the administrative process and issues legal decisions.
