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Finnish citizens have rights and obligations A citizen of a foreign country who resides permanently in Finland may acquire Finnish citizenship by submitting an application to the Finnish Immigration Service. The basic requirement for the acquisiti...

People found guilty of certain serious offences can lose their Finnish citizenship.

Interoperability

Frequently asked questions about the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war Russia attacked Ukraine on 24 February 2022 and launched a full-scale war. This page contains frequently asked questions about the consequences of the war in Ukraine. Entry into...

Family members of Finnish citizens or foreign nationals eligible for family reunification Family reunification refers to a residence permit granted to a foreign national on the basis of family ties. Family members of Finnish citizens or foreign na...

Accident prevention is a joint effort

Removal and departure from the country If a person does not meet the conditions for legal stay in Finland, they are required to leave the country. This applies, for example, to persons whose asylum or residence permit application has been rejected...

Temporary protection for people fleeing from Ukraine Temporary protection is intended for people fleeing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Granting temporary protection makes it possible to provide protection to a limited group of people...

Illegal entry and stay are prevented through cooperation between authorities Illegal entry and stay remain low in Finland when compared with all migration to Finland. Most people move legally to Finland on the basis of work, family ties or studies...

10.2.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has completed an investigation into a statutory amendment that would allow a residence permit and alien’s passport to be issued to applicants whose lack of a travel document is the sole impediment to granting the permit. The same project also investigated other potential solutions to address the situation of individuals who have remained in Finland for an extended period with no right of residence.

Refugees flee persecution in their home countries An asylum seeker is a person who seeks asylum and the right to reside in a foreign state. A refugee is someone who has been granted asylum in one state or another. A person may also receive refugee...

Government Programme measures to reform migration policy The Government Programme’s objective is to reform Finland’s migration policy so that it offers assistance to the most vulnerable people and prevents abuse of the system. Finland’s asylum pol...

Questions and answers about civilian intelligence legislation The aim of civilian intelligence legislation is to improve the capability of Finnish society to protect against threats to national security. What does civilian intelligence legislation...

Frequently asked questions about criminal intelligence legislation Why are the intelligence collection powers of the police being strengthened? One of the key objectives of the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government is to step up th...

22.12.2025 | Finland is set to introduce a citizenship test. Civic knowledge would be added as a new requirement for acquiring citizenship. The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments proposed amendments to the Citizenship Act and certain other acts.

2.11.2020 | The European Commission has pointed out that the EU-UK withdrawal agreement has been partially misinterpreted in Finland. Under the withdrawal agreement, all UK citizens, including those who have a document certifying a permanent right of EU residence in Finland, must exchange that document for a residence permit card.

18.6.2026 | The Ministry of the Interior is requesting views on a draft proposal concerning the use of intelligence collection methods in premises used for permanent residence. The aim is to improve the ability of the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service to safeguard national security.

17.9.2020 | As a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, UK citizens living in Finland must submit an application for the right of residence in Finland under the withdrawal agreement. The Government submitted the bill for approval on Thursday 17 September. The President of the Republic is to approve the bill on Friday. The act will then enter into force on 1 October.

29.9.2020 | As a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, UK citizens living in Finland will have to apply to exchange their previous registration based on the right of residence in the EU for the right of residence under the withdrawal agreement. The Finnish Immigration Service will charge EUR 48 for the processing of the application. The permanent right of residence in the EU may be exchanged for a permanent right of residence under the withdrawal agreement free of charge.

7.2.2019 | UK citizens’ right of residence in Finland will continue for a fixed term under a special act. The act is being prepared for the eventuality of a no-deal Brexit in which the UK withdraws from the EU without an agreement at the end of March. The Government submitted a proposal on the special act to Parliament on 7 February.