Starting from 1 October, foreigners living in Finland will have to reside for 8 years to apply for Finnish Citizenship. Some applicants will still be able to apply after a residence of 5 years in the country. The changes have already been announced back in April this year. Dual citizenship is also allowed according to the immigration laws.
Finnish Immigration Services has announced that the minimum requirements for residence in Finland are now 8 years instead of 5. The new rules are in effect from 1 October which means applications for naturalization submitted before this date will be dealt with according to old rules.
Major changes in citizenship laws
The major changes announced for the citizenship by the Finnish Immigration Services are as follows:
- extending the residence period from 5 to 8 years;
- only stays in Finland with a residence permit would be accepted as a residence period;
- the number of days abroad accepted during the residence period would be reduced. A 365 of total time will be allowed outside of Finland. Furthermore, 90 days outside Finland are allowed preceding to last year of submitting the citizenship application;
- A child who has turned 15, a spouse of a Finnish citizen, a stateless person, and an applicant who meets the language proficiency requirement would need 5 years instead of 4 to qualify for the citizenship period;
- Citizens of the Nordic countries and the spouse of an employee of the Finnish mission would continue to be required to live for two years;
- The exception regarding the period of residence of a recipient of international protection would be removed from the law.
Finnish Citizenship after 5 years of residence
It is also possible to apply for Finnish citizenship after spending 5 years in the country. The possible ways are:
- Applicants who meet the language skills requirement;
- Applicants aged 15–17;
- Spouses of Finnish citizens;
- Stateless persons; and
- Applicants who have received international protection. The period of residence starts on the date when the residence permit based on international protection was granted, not on the date when the application was submitted.
Backlog of citizenship applications
There is an immense backlog of citizenship applications which has now reached 28,000. The immigration authorities have also advised new applicants to apply well before time. Authorities are however willing to cover these pending applications till 2027.
The normal processing times of naturalization applications have reached 9 to 31 months. The nationality fee for the online application is 490€ and paper paper-based application is 690€.
Finnish Citizenship Requirements
Age and Identity Verification
You must be at least 18 years old, and your identity must be verified using:
- A passport or other valid ID;
- Reliable details about your name, date of birth, citizenship, and family ties.
Any previous information you’ve provided will also be considered in confirming your identity.
Language Skills
You must demonstrate satisfactory oral and written skills in one of these languages:
- Finnish; or
- Swedish;
- Finnish Sign Language (for disabled) or
- Finland-Swedish Sign Language (for disabled)
A valid language certificate is required before applying for citizenship. Exceptions to the language requirement may be requested in certain cases.
Residency in Finland
For applications submitted on or after 1 October 2024, you must have lived in Finland for at least 8 years. For applications before this date, you need:
- 5 years of continuous residence or
- 7 years of total residence after reaching the age of 15, with the last 2 years uninterrupted residence in the country.
Shorter residency periods may apply in specific cases.
Clean Criminal Record
You must not have any criminal convictions or restraining orders. Minor offenses with petty fines do not affect your application.
Financial Obligations
You must be up to date with your financial obligations, including taxes, fines, and child support.
Proof of Income
You must provide evidence of your income for the past 5 years, or the required period of residence in your case.