Skip to content
  • Finnish Government
    • Prime Minister's Office
    • Ministry of Defence
    • Ministry of Transport and Communications
    • Ministry for Foreign Affairs
    • Ministry of Finance
    • Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
    • Ministry of Justice
    • Ministry of Education and Culture
    • Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
    • Ministry of the Interior
    • Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
    • Ministry of the Environment

Valitse kieli:

This page is in Finnish. Go to the English site »

Or choose language:

Den här sidan är på finska. Gå till den svenska versionen av sidan »

Eller välj språk:

Dát siidu lea suomagillii. Sirdás davvisámegielat siidduide »

Dahje vállje giela:

Язык этого сайта финский. Перейти на русскоязычный сайт »

Или выберите язык:

Cette page est en finnois. Aller sur le site en français »

Ou choisir la langue:

Diese Seite ist auf Finnisch. Wechseln Sie zur deutschen Version »

Oder wählen Sie Ihre Sprache:

Tämä sivu on englanniksi. Siirry suomenkieliseen sivustoon »

Tai valitse kieli:

Choose language:

Den här sidan är på engelska. Gå till den svenska versionen av sidan »

Eller välj språk:

Язык этого сайта английский. Перейти на русскоязычный сайт »

Или выберите язык:

Dát siidu lea eŋgelasgillii. Sirdás davvisámegielat siidduide »

Dahje vállje giela:

Cette page est en anglais. Aller sur le site en français »

Ou choisir la langue:

Diese Seite ist auf Englisch. Wechseln Sie zur deutschen Version »

Oder wählen Sie Ihre Sprache:

Tämä sivu on ruotsiksi. Siirry suomenkieliseen sivustoon »

Tai valitse kieli:

This page is in Swedish. Go to the English site »

Or choose language:

Välj språk:

Язык этого сайта шведский. Перейти на русскоязычный сайт »

Или выберите язык:

Dát siidu lea eŋgelasgillii. Sirdás davvisámegielat siidduide »

Dahje vállje giela:

Cette page est en suédois. Aller sur le site en français »

Ou choisir la langue:

Diese Seite ist auf Schwedisch. Wechseln Sie zur deutschen Version »

Oder wählen Sie Ihre Sprache:

Tämä sivu on pohjois-saameksi. Siirry suomenkieliseen sivustoon »

Tai valitse kieli:

This page is in North Saami. Go to the English site »

Or choose language:

Den här sidan är på nordsamiska. Gå till den svenska versionen av sidan »

Eller välj språk:

Язык этого сайта северосаамский. Перейти на русскоязычный сайт »

Или выберите язык:

Vállje giela:

Cette page est en same du Nord. Aller sur le site en français »

Ou choisir la langue:

Diese Seite ist auf Nordsamisch. Wechseln Sie zur deutschen Version »

Oder wählen Sie Ihre Sprache:

Tämä sivu on venäjäksi. Siirry suomenkieliseen sivustoon »

Tai valitse kieli:

This page is in Russian. Go to the English site »

Or choose language:

Den här sidan är på ryska. Gå till den svenska versionen av sidan »

Eller välj språk:

Dát siidu lea ruoššagillii. Sirdás davvisámegielat siidduide »

Dahje vállje giela:

выберите язык:

Cette page est en russe. Aller sur le site en français »

Ou choisir la langue:

Diese Seite ist auf Russisch. Wechseln Sie zur deutschen Version »

Oder wählen Sie Ihre Sprache:

Tämä sivu on ranskaksi. Siirry suomenkieliseen sivustoon »

Tai valitse kieli:

This page is in French. Go to the English site »

Or choose language:

Den här sidan är på franska. Gå till den svenska versionen av sidan »

Eller välj språk:

Dát siidu lea fránskkagillii. Sirdás davvisámegielat siidduide »

Dahje vállje giela:

Язык этого сайта французский. Перейти на русскоязычный сайт »

Или выберите язык:

Choisir la langue:

Diese Seite ist auf Französisch. Wechseln Sie zur deutschen Version »

Oder wählen Sie Ihre Sprache:

Tämä sivu on saksaksi. Siirry suomenkieliseen sivustoon »

Tai valitse kieli:

This page is in German. Go to the English site »

Or choose language:

Den här sidan är på tyska. Gå till den svenska versionen av sidan »

Eller välj språk:

Язык этого сайта немецкий. Перейти на русскоязычный сайт »

Или выберите язык:

Cette page est en allemand. Aller sur le site en français »

Ou choisir la langue:

Wählen Sie Ihre Sprache:

  • Valitse kieli Suomi
  • Välj språket Svenska
  • Select language English
Media
Go to Sisäministeriö site frontpage
  • Frontpage
  • Areas of expertise
    • Police
    • Rescue services
    • Emergency response
    • Border management
    • Migration
    • National security
    • Civilian crisis management
    • Flag and arms of Finland
  • Current issues
  • Projects and legislation
  • Publications
  • Ministry
  • Contact
  • News
  • Sign up for news
  • Ukraine
  • Situation at the eastern border
  • Work Help Finland
suomiLue artikkeli suomeksi svenskaLäs artikeln på svenska English

Government to tighten conditions for permanent residence permits

Ministry of the Interior
Publication date 5.6.2025 13.46
Type:Press release

The conditions for obtaining a permanent residence permit will be tightened. For example, the continuous period of residence required for the permit will be extended. Applicants will also be required to demonstrate proficiency in Finnish or Swedish and have a work history of a certain length. The Government submitted to Parliament the relevant proposal for amending the Aliens Act on 5 June.

“Successful integration would be a prerequisite for a permanent residence permit. One of the objectives set in the Government Programme is to encourage immigrants to comply with the rules of Finnish society, and to work and to study the language,” says Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

The continuous period of residence required for a permanent residence permit would be extended from four years to six years. When an applicant has resided in Finland for six years, as a rule, they could be granted a permanent residence permit on condition that their proficiency in either Finnish or Swedish is satisfactory and they have two years of work experience in Finland. 

Obtaining a permanent residence permit based on a four-year period of residence would still be possible. However, the applicant would have to meet one of the following three additional requirements: 1) a minimum annual income of EUR 40,000, 2) a master’s degree or a postgraduate degree recognised in Finland and two years of work experience in Finland, and 3) high proficiency in Finnish or Swedish and three years of work experience in Finland. 

If the applicant meets the work experience requirement, it would also be required that they have only used unemployment security or social assistance for a maximum of three months.

Applicants who have completed a master’s degree, a postgraduate degree or a university bachelor’s degree in Finland could obtain a permanent residence permit without having to meet the required period of residence in terms of years. In such a case, a certain standard of proficiency in Finnish or Swedish would also be required. In addition, they would be required to meet the general conditions for issuing a residence permit in the same way as in other situations where a permanent residence permit is issued. These general conditions include a valid passport and sufficient financial resources as well as the fact that they do not pose a danger to public order or security.

A third-country national who has resided within the European Union for a long period may apply for an EU residence permit in a Member State. This is a permanent permit that is valid until further notice just like the national permanent permit. Proficiency in Finnish or Swedish would also be included in the requirements for obtaining an EU residence permit.

Furthermore, the Government proposes that in future any unconditional sentence of imprisonment would affect how the period of residence required for a permanent residence permit and an EU residence permit is calculated. The duration of time when an applicant is serving an unconditional sentence of imprisonment would be excluded from the period of residence. In addition, the calculation of the period of residence would start from the beginning once the sentence has been served in full.

The legislative amendments are scheduled to enter into force on 8 January 2026.

Inquiries:
Pekka Lindroos
, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 327, firstname.lastname@gov.fi
Harri Sivula, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 488 623, firstname.lastname@gov.fi (from 9 June)

Frequently asked questions about stricter conditions for permanent residence permits
Valtioneuvoston yleisistunto 5.6.2025 VN 35/2025 (In Finnish)Link to an external website
Orpon hallitusohjelma Turvallinen ja kriisinkestävä oikeusvaltio
decisions government platforms immigration permits preparation of legislation programmes residence permits

MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR
Sisäministeriö | Inrikesministeriet

Kirkkokatu 12, Helsinki
PO Box 26, FI-00023 Government
Tel. 0295 480 171 (switchboard)
registry.sm@gov.fi

About the site
Accessibility statement
Data protection
Sitemap
Questions and feedback

X (Twitter)
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook
YouTube

Search page
  • Frontpage
  • Areas of expertise
    • Police
      • Government Programme measures in the police sector
      • Crime in Finland
      • Organised crime
        • Fight against organised crime
      • Counter-terrorism
        • Counter-terrorism measures in Finland
      • Violent radicalisation
        • Action plan monitoring
      • Hate crime
        • Online targeting and shaming
      • Human trafficking
      • Economic crime and the shadow economy
      • Cybercrime
        • Tackling cybercrime
      • Firearms
        • Firearms legislation
      • Gambling
      • Fundraising
      • Public order and security
      • Private security sector
      • Agencies and responsibilities
    • Rescue services
      • Government Programme measures in rescue services
      • Rescue operations
        • Maritime search and rescue
        • Emergency warnings
      • Accident prevention
        • Chimney sweeping
        • Smoke alarms and other fire safety equipment
          • Smoke alarm
          • Responsibility for smoke alarms to change in 2026
          • Carbon monoxide and heat detectors
          • First-aid extinguishing equipment
          • Fire safety systems of buildings
          • Systems connected to the ERC
          • Supervision of fire safety equipment
          • Frequently asked questions about smoke alarms
        • Emergency plan
        • Fire safety
      • Preparedness
        • National risk assessment
        • Civil defence
        • Civil defence shelters
        • Preparedness guide
      • International assistance
        • International cooperation in civil preparedness
        • Civil Protection Mechanism
      • Rescue Services Strategy
      • Rescue service agencies and responsibilities
    • Emergency response
      • Emergency response centres
      • Services
    • Border management
      • Government Programme measures to reform border security
      • Border surveillance
      • Maritime search and rescue
      • Fight against environmental damage in sea areas
      • Smart Borders
      • Frontex cooperation
      • Agencies and responsibilities
    • Migration
      • Government Programme measures to reform migration policy
        • Stricter conditions for permanent residence permits
      • Agencies and responsibilities
        • Preparing for large-scale influxes of migrants
      • Migration and asylum policy
        • Family reunification
      • Refugees and asylum seekers
        • Quota refugees
      • EU migration and asylum system
      • Voluntary and forced return
        • Readmission agreements
      • Nationality
        • Preconditions for and effects of acquiring Finnish citizenship
        • Expatriate Finns
      • Combating irregular entry and stay
    • National security
      • Government Programme measures to reform national security
      • What is national security?
        • Critical Infrastructure Protection and Crisis Resilience Act
      • Civilian intelligence
        • Questions and answers about civilian intelligence legislation
      • Hybrid threats
      • Cyber security
    • Civilian crisis management
      • Finland's objectives
      • Finnish experts serving in operations
      • Recruitment and training
      • Agencies and responsibilities
      • Legislation
    • Flag and arms of Finland
      • Flag days
        • Flagdays 2025
        • Proposals for flag days
      • Flying the flag at half mast
      • Flying the EU flag
      • Order of precedence
      • About the flag
        • History of the flag
      • Arms of Finland
      • The flag and coat of arms in commercial activities
  • Current issues
    • News
      • News archive
    • Sign up for news
    • Ukraine
      • Civilian material assistance to Ukraine
        • Laptops for Ukraine
        • Civilian assistance sent from Finland
      • Helping Ukrainians
      • Temporary protection
      • Frequently asked questions
    • Situation at the eastern border
    • Work Help Finland
      • Accessibility statement
      • Privacy policy
  • Projects and legislation
    • Reform of legislation on civilian intelligence
    • Passport project
    • Strengthening crime prevention
      • Answers to questions about biometric data regulation
    • Reform of the gambling system
      • Questions and answers on gambling system reform
    • Shooting ranges project
    • Reform of the Citizenship Act
      • Frequently asked questions
    • Interoperability of data within EU information systems for security
    • Secure satellite communication services
  • Publications
  • Ministry
    • Tasks and objectives
    • Management and organisation
      • Minister of the Interior
      • Permanent Secretary
      • Departments and units
    • Branch of government
    • Joint strategy for the Ministry's administrative branch
    • Operations and finances
    • Government Report on Internal Security
      • Government Report on Internal Security 2021
        • Abstract of the Report in easy-to-read language
    • International and EU cooperation
      • Priorities in EU and international affairs
      • Sub-committees on EU affairs
      • Finland and Nato
    • Oversight of legality
      • Oversight of legality at agencies within the Ministry’s branch of government
    • Research
      • Sentimentti data tool
      • Strategic foresight
    • Funds
    • Ministry as workplace
      • Personnel
      • Responsibility
      • Ministry’s pay system
      • Applying for a job
      • Traineeships
    • Whistleblower protection
    • History of the ministry
  • Contact
    • Submissions for consideration
      • Submission form
    • Request for information
      • Information request form
    • Contact information of the management, departments and units
    • Communications Unit
    • Data protection
      • Information on cookies
    • Accessibility statement
    • Feedback