Finnish citizenship can be acquired by birth, on the basis of the parents’ citizenship, by application or by declaration

Provisions on Finnish citizenship are laid down in the Constitution of Finland and in more detail in the Nationality Act. Finnish citizenship can be acquired by birth, on the basis of the parents’ citizenship, by application, or by declaration. Citizens may only be released from Finnish citizenship if they are citizens, or acquire the citizenship, of a foreign country.

Finnish citizenship is primarily determined in accordance with the inheritance principle, whereby children acquire the citizenship of their parents. This also applies to children born to Finnish citizens in foreign countries. Because the Finnish authorities are not automatically notified of children born abroad and of their Finnish citizenship, the parents should themselves notify Digital and Population Data Services Agency of the matter.

The Finnish Immigration Service decides on the granting, retention and loss of Finnish citizenship, in response to a declaration submitted to the Finnish Immigration Service.

Stricter requirements for acquiring Finnish citizenship

The requirements for acquiring Finnish citizenship will be tightened in accordance with the Government Programme. Changes have already been made to the legal provisions specifying requirements for the period of residence, integrity and sufficient financial resources. The Ministry is also preparing to introduce a citizenship test.

Read more about the Reform of the Citizenship Act