The Åland Islands enjoy a unique autonomous status within Finland, established through the Act on the Autonomy of Åland (1144/1991). This autonomy grants Åland legislative and administrative powers in a wide range of areas, including municipal administration, education, social welfare, health care, environmental protection, promotion of employment, and cultural affairs. On the other hand, the Finnish State retains authority over matters such as foreign affairs, legislation on aliens, marriage and family relations, and citizenship. In Åland islands, the Åland Provincial Act on the Promotion of Integration (2012:74) applies alongside relevant provisions of Finland’s national Integration Act (681/2023). The Åland Act covers immigrants (foreign nationals) who move to Åland through regulated immigration, that is, those with a valid residence permit, right of residence, or residence card in Finland and a registered place of residence on Åland. Asylum seekers and individuals awaiting residence permits are not covered by the Åland Act and fall under national legislation (Ålands landskapsregering, 2012). The Åland Act aims to promote equality, non-discrimination, and positive interaction between different population groups. Its overarching goal is to ensure that immigrants can attain a status equal to other Åland residents in terms of rights and responsibilities. The Act also emphasises bidirectional integration, encouraging both immigrants and the host society to engage in mutual adaptation (Personal communications, 2025). The Åland Government is responsible for legally mandated integration measures, including providing basic civic information, planning and evaluating integration efforts, and ensuring public services are accessible to immigrants. The Act requires the Åland Government to adopt a four-year integration programme, outlining goals and measures to promote integration. Municipalities, either individually or jointly, are also required to draw up similar four-year programmes for their respective areas of responsibility (Ålands Landskapsregering, 2023).
The Åland Government’s Integration Promotion Programme 2024–2027 focuses on language learning, vocational training, employment, and active social participation. This work is cross-sectoral and carried out in collaboration with municipalities, public agencies, and the third sector, within frameworks set by regional legislation and municipal programmes (Ålands Landskapsregering, 2023).
Under the Act on the Promotion of Integration, the AMS (Åland Labour Market and Student Service Authority) is tasked with starting an initial assessment for unemployed immigrants registered as jobseekers, while municipalities are responsible for those residing permanently or long-term, as well as for immigrants receiving social assistance. Either AMS or the municipality may also initiate assessments for immigrants who apply for or are deemed in need of such services (Personal communications, 2025).
The individual integration plan is a cornerstone of the Åland model. It is a personalised roadmap detailing the services and measures designed to support the immigrant’s acquisition of Swedish language skills and other competencies necessary for societal and labour market participation (e.g., employment support and civic orientation). The plan seeks to facilitate the immigrant’s full and equal involvement in community life in Åland. The plan’s duration is set individually, based on the person’s background and needs. Its duration is tailored to the individual’s background and needs, lasting up to three years, with the option of a two-year extension if additional integration support is needed (Personal communications, 2025).
Refugees are entitled to full healthcare, including dental care, on par with other residents. However, dental services prioritise refugees with special health, social, or financial needs. Åland municipalities must provide education to children without a registered home municipality, from compulsory school age until completion or July 31 of the year they turn 18.