Citizenship in Finland

Written by Luis Minvielle Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Luis Minvielle

Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: September 15, 2024

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025

Once you live in Finland legally for a continuous period of five years, or four years if you have strong language skills, you become eligible to apply for citizenship. Finnish citizenship gives you the status of a Finnish national and a European Union citizen. This article goes over everything you need to know if you intend to obtain Finnish citizenship.

What are the benefits of Finnish citizenship?

As a Finnish citizen, you are entitled to full access to Finland's social services, healthcare system, and education, all of which are regarded as some of the best in the world. Finnish citizens also have the right to live, work, and study in any EU country without needing a visa or work permit. Another benefit is access to a Finnish passport, which allows visa-free travel to over 126 countries. Additionally, as a Finnish citizen, you can vote in national elections and run for office.

Is Finnish citizenship a prerequisite to live in Finland?

You do not necessarily need Finnish citizenship to live comfortably in Finland. Foreigners can live in Finland with a residence permit, which provides access to most social services, including healthcare and education. Still, without citizenship, you cannot vote in national elections or run for political office. Citizenship also guarantees that your residence in Finland is permanent, whereas a residence permit might need renewal depending on your circumstances.

But the main reason to become a Finish citizen, like with most European passports, is so that you can live and work freely anywhere in Europe. Once you’re a Finnish citizen, if you’ve grown weary of Helsinki’s chilly afternoons, you can move to work in sunny Barcelona or Rome.

Does Finland allow dual citizenship?

Yes, Finland allows dual citizenship. This means you can hold Finnish citizenship alongside the citizenship of another country. If you have multiple citizenships, Finland will regard you as a Finnish citizen both in Finland and abroad. It's important to check if your other country accepts dual citizenship. Not all countries do.

What are the ways to get Finnish citizenship?

There are two primary ways to get Finnish citizenship: by application or by declaration. You can apply for citizenship if you live in Finland and meet the legal requirements. Citizenship by declaration is a quicker process for former Finnish citizens, citizens of Nordic countries, or young people aged 18 to 22 who have lived in Finland long enough. If you are a former Finnish citizen, you may be requested additional documentation to prove your previous citizenship status.

Citizenship can also be passed down through parents. If a child is born to a Finnish parent, they may automatically receive Finnish citizenship if certain conditions are met, such as the child being born in Finland or the parents being married at the time of birth. If a child is born out of wedlock, paternity must be confirmed for citizenship.

If you're unsure which application grounds to choose, you can use the Application Finder on the Finnish Immigration Service website to help you decide.

Do you need to be a permanent resident first to become a Finnish citizen?

No, you don’t necessarily need a permanent residence to apply for Finland citizenship. There’s some confusion around this based on wording from official sites. The official Finland site says very clearly that you need to live, not to have the permit:

“You have lived in Finland for the past five years without interruption (continuous period of residence), or you have lived in Finland for seven years in total, with the last two years without interruption (accumulated period of residence).”

Source: Period of residence | Maahanmuuttovirasto

But some official outlets, like Norden.org, say that you need to have accumulated a “permanent residence” in Finland for five years to become a citizen. Since they use the exact same term as the typical permit that European countries have for an indefinite stay, it looks like it’s a prerequisite to have permanent residence. But, referring to the Finland government, it is not. This is different from Sweden, but exactly the same as how the Netherlands handles it.

When can you apply for Finnish citizenship?

You can apply for Finnish citizenship if you are at least 18 years old and meet several conditions. You must have lived in Finland for at least five years, or four years if you have strong language skills.

You also must have a valid residence permit and a clean criminal record. Additionally, you’ll need to show you can support yourself financially, speak Finnish or Swedish well enough, and that you’ve fulfilled your tax obligations. There are exceptions to the residence requirement for Nordic citizens, those with a Finnish spouse, or those who meet the required language skills.

What documents are required?

To apply for Finnish citizenship, you need numerous documents, including a valid passport or another form of identification. You also need to provide proof of language skills in either Finnish or Swedish, typically through an official language test certificate. You need documents that prove your income or means of financial support while you live in Finland. Other supporting documents include proof of your residence in Finland and records showing that you have paid taxes. Make sure all documents are recent and reflect your current situation to avoid delays.

How to apply for Finnish citizenship?

Applying for Finnish citizenship is a relatively simple process. You can apply online using the e-service EnterFinland or submit a paper application. When applying online, you must visit the Finnish Immigration Service to prove your identity and show original copies of the documents you’ve uploaded. With strong identification credentials verified through EnterFinland, you may avoid this appointment at the service point. If you choose to submit a paper application, you must also visit the Finnish Immigration Service to submit your documents in person and pay the application fee.

It's very important to check that all required documents are in Finnish, Swedish, or English. If they are not, they must be translated. Also, if you are applying together with your child, they must come with you to the service point to prove their identity.

Once your application is submitted, it will be placed in a processing queue. You can monitor its progress via the e-service or receive updates through automated messages.

What is the Finnish citizenship waiting time?

Once you apply, you should expect a processing time between 6 and 28 months, according to the Migri website. Some expats reported that their total waiting time for my case was 5 months, so it’s even shorter than the official waiting time. The decision wasn't communicated in a separate email, so logging into EnterFinland was the only way to find out.

Can your family members get Finnish citizenship?

Yes, family members can get Finnish citizenship. For instance, if you are applying for citizenship and have children under the age of 18, they can be included in your application as co-applicants by filling in the supplement form KAN_LIITELOMAKE. For a child to qualify for citizenship, they must live in Finland legally and have reliable identification documents.

Children over the age of 15 need to prove satisfactory language skills in Finnish or Swedish. You can show this through certificates or school reports. They must also meet residence requirements: either having lived in Finland for the past four years without interruption, or for a total of six years after turning seven, with the last two years being continuous. If your family members are applying separately, check that they meet all individual requirements for their applications.

What are Finnish citizenship fees?

The fees for applying for Finnish citizenship vary depending on the method of submission. If you apply online through the EnterFinland service, the application fee is €490. If you choose to submit a paper application, the fee is higher, at €690. The fee is non-refundable, which means that if your application is denied, you will not receive a refund.

What if your application is rejected?

If your citizenship application is rejected, you have the right to appeal the decision. The Finnish Immigration Service will provide instructions on how to appeal along with your rejection notice. Appeals must be submitted to an Administrative Court, and you may have to pay a fee for this process. Keep in mind that submitting an incomplete or inaccurate application can lead to rejection, so make sure that all documents are included when applying.

If your appeal is unsuccessful, you may reapply for citizenship, but only after you address the reasons for the initial rejection.

Talk to an immigration expert

To become a Finnish citizen, you need to establish legal residence in Finland, which often involves finding a job to meet residence requirements. The right support from immigration consultants can make this process easier.

Relocate.me can connect you with immigration experts who can guide you through the citizenship application or tell you what your best options are. Get in touch with us so we can introduce you to immigration consultants who understand what the best approach to Finland there is.

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