Eligibility quiz
Were you adopted by a Finnish citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for your childBenefits for your child
Live in Finland for life
You can live in Finland indefinitely, and your permit does not end when you turn 18.
Study in Finland
You can study in Finland at school, in vocational or higher education, or in other courses.
The ordinary rules for each course apply.
Work in Finland
You have an unrestricted right to work in Finland without a separate work permit or limits on your occupation.
Travel and return
You can leave and return to Finland with a valid passport or other accepted travel document and a valid permit card.
You can generally visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Vote in elections
Residents aged 18 or older can vote in municipal and wellbeing-services-county elections.
Depending on their citizenship, residents may also vote in European Parliament elections.
Use public healthcare
You can use public healthcare if you have a municipality of residence in Finland.
Charges can apply.
Get social support
You may receive Kela benefits if Kela considers you permanently resident in Finland and you meet the conditions for the benefit.
Kela may end residence-based support if you work abroad or stay abroad for more than six months.
How to apply
Applying onlineApplying online
Find your service point
Your parent, guardian or other legal representative should find the Finnish Immigration Service point for where you live. You will need to visit it together.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Finnish Immigration Service point serves your city for a permanent residence permit for a child in Finland?”
Gather your documents
Your parent, guardian or other legal representative should prepare the required documents for your application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Your parent, guardian or other legal representative creates or uses their own Enter Finland account and fills in the permanent residence permit application for a child. They answer the questions and add your details and the required attachments.
Fill in the applicationPay the fee online
Your parent, guardian or other legal representative pays the application fee in Enter Finland.
Pay the feeSubmit your application
Your parent, guardian or other legal representative submits your application in Enter Finland. They can also apply on paper at a Finnish Immigration Service point.
Submit the applicationBook an appointment
Your parent, guardian or other legal representative books an appointment at the Finnish Immigration Service point for your identity visit.
Book an appointmentGo to your appointment
You and your parent, guardian or other legal representative go to the service point together so you can prove your identity. Bring your passport, a passport photo or photo code, and the originals of the documents uploaded with your application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where is the Finnish Immigration Service point in your city for a permanent residence permit for a child?”
Wait for the decision
Your parent, guardian or other legal representative can follow your application in Enter Finland and answer any requests for more information. If your permit is granted, you can live in Finland permanently.
Follow your applicationDocuments needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificate *
Provide your birth certificate as evidence of your relationship to your adoptive parent.
* Only if your adoption relationship needs to be proved.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationAdoption documents *
Provide the adoption decision and documents showing that your adoption is valid in Finland. For an international adoption, include the Finnish Adoption Board permit or, if there is no permit, the Finnish court confirmation of the adoption.
* Only if your adoption relationship needs to be proved.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationProof of care *
Provide evidence that your parent or guardian cares for you in practice. Bring the originals; for a paper application, bring copies too.
* Only if you apply based on a parent or guardian in Finland.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationGuardian's residence record *
Provide evidence that your parent or guardian lives in Finland. Bring the originals; for a paper application, bring copies too.
* Only if you apply based on a parent or guardian in Finland.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationGuardian's custody records *
Provide evidence that your parent or guardian has legal custody of you and, where relevant, evidence of your family relationship. Bring the originals; for a paper application, bring copies too.
* Only if you apply based on a parent or guardian in Finland.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationGuardian's status documents *
Provide evidence that your parent or guardian is a Finnish citizen, or their permanent residence permit or EU long-term resident's permit. Bring the original; for a paper application, bring a copy too.
* Only if you apply based on your parent or guardian's Finnish citizenship or existing permanent residence status.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Valid travel documents
Keep your passport or other accepted travel document and your permit card valid.
You need both to return to Finland, and a lost or expired card abroad may mean you need a D visa to return.
Permit can end
Your permit can be withdrawn for moving permanently from Finland, over two years abroad for a permanent purpose, knowingly false information or concealed facts that could have prevented it.
Certain Schengen entry bans or removal cases can also lead to withdrawal; deportation or Finnish citizenship ends it.
For a temporary absence, each family member may apply before the period ends to prevent withdrawal for special or exceptional reasons.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Expats & Foreigners in Finland
English Facebook group for people living in Finland interested in Finnish visas
Join on Facebookr/AnchorLessEurope
English Reddit group for people living in Europe interested in visas
Join on RedditForeigners in Finland
English Facebook group for people living in Finland interested in Finnish local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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