Citizenship Matters in Finland

Expat Finland is not a government authority. Citizenship issues are manifold and complicated. Only a few are outlined below. Comprehensive information on all aspects of citizenship, residence and work permits is available at the Finnish Immigration Service www.migri.fi.

• Dual / Multiple Nationality
• Citizenship of Finland
• Application for Finnish Citizenship

See also:

• Work & Residence Permits

Multiple / Dual Nationality is Accepted in Finland

Finnish legislation accepts dual or multiple nationality. A foreigner who acquires Finnish nationality will not be obliged to renounce his/her current nationality. It should be noted, however, that the nationality legislation of the country in question does not necessarily accept multiple nationality.

Further, although multiple nationality is allowed, if a Finn acquires nationality of another state/country, they will lose their Finnish citizenship at age 22, if they lack 'a sufficient connection to Finland'.

Citizenship of Finland

Finnish citizenship may be based on one of the following:

• The nationality of one of your biological or adoptive parents
• Your place of birth being Finland
• Your parents' marriage to each other
• Application (naturalisation)
• Declaration

For more information about being a citizen of Finland, including rights and obligations, loss of citizenship, establishing citizenship and more, visit
Finnish Immigration Service: www.migri.fi Finnish Citizenship

Application for Finnish Citizenship

The granting of Finnish citizenship by application is discretionary. Citizenship can be granted even if some requirements are not met. On the other hand, citizenship can be denied even if all requirements stipulated by law have been met.

Application Procedures & Requirements:
www.migri.fi Citizenship Application

As a foreigner you may acquire Finnish citizenship upon application if

• Your identity has been established beyond doubt
• You have reached the age of 18
• You have sufficient Finnish or Swedish language skills
• You have lived in Finland for a sufficient length of time
• You are not guilty of a crime, and meet the integrity requirement
• You have not neglected your payment obligations
• You have established your means of support

Citizenship by Declaration
In certain cases Finnish citizenship may be obtained by declaration, by

• A child born out of wedlock if his or her father is a Finnish citizen
• An adopted child aged between 12 and 17
• Former Finnish citizens
• Citizens of other Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden)
• Young persons aged between 18 and 22 years

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