Eligibility quiz
Was one of your parents a citizen of Finland from birth?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Finland
You can live in Finland until the end date on your permit.
You can enter and leave Finland with a valid passport and residence-permit card.
Study in Finland
You can study in Finland without a separate student permit.
Work in Finland
You can work without restrictions, including changing employers, without a separate work permit.
Visit Schengen countries
You may be able to make short visits to Schengen countries with a valid passport and residence-permit card, if you meet the destination’s entry rules.
This does not give you the right to settle there.
Use public healthcare
Public healthcare is generally available if you are resident in Finland and covered by a municipality.
Workplace or student healthcare may also be available, but treatment is not automatically free.
Receive social support
If you are assessed as permanently resident for social security, you can generally receive social security benefits.
Your entitlement may end if you move abroad or are away for more than six months.
How to apply
Applying from outside FinlandApplying from outside Finland
Find your application location
Find the Finnish embassy, consulate or application centre serving the country where you live. This application is for a residence permit, not a visa.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I identify myself for a Finland residence permit application for a descendant of a Finnish citizen near your city?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your application.
See required documentsFill in the application
Create an Enter Finland account and fill in the residence permit application for former Finnish citizens, which also covers descendants. Upload clear scans of your attachments.
Fill in the applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in Finland's residence permit application for a descendant of a Finnish citizen in Enter Finland?”
Pay the fee online
Pay the processing fee in Enter Finland using accepted online banking credentials or a major card.
Pay the feeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the fee in Enter Finland for a residence permit application for a descendant of a Finnish citizen?”
Submit your application
Submit your completed application in Enter Finland. You can also apply on paper using form OLE_EN at the designated application location.
Submit your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Finland residence permit application for a descendant of a Finnish citizen in Enter Finland?”
Book an appointment
Book an appointment at the Finnish embassy, consulate or application centre designated for the country where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an identity appointment for a Finland residence permit application for a descendant of a Finnish citizen near your city?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your passport, original attachments and photograph or photo information to your appointment. Show your identity and give your fingerprints and other required biometrics.
Prepare for your appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring to an identity appointment abroad for a Finland residence permit application for a descendant of a Finnish citizen?”
Wait for the decision
Wait abroad and follow your application and messages in Enter Finland. Send any additional information requested or attend an interview if asked.
Follow your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I follow a Finland residence permit application for a descendant of a Finnish citizen in Enter Finland?”
Collect your permit card
After approval, collect your residence permit card from the place designated during your application. You can then travel to Finland in line with your permit and any visa requirements.
Find card collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my Finland residence permit card abroad after approval as a descendant of a Finnish citizen?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your birth certificate and your Finnish parent's birth certificate. Also get the birth certificate of your Finnish parent's parent, as listed in the application checklist.
Parent's citizenship records
Get official certificates showing that your Finnish parent was a Finnish citizen by birth. You can request certificates from a Finnish parish or the Finnish National Archives.
Name change certificates *
Get certificates showing the changes of name needed to connect your family documents. Ask the office that recorded each change for a certificate.
* Only if names in your family documents do not match or a name change needs to be shown.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Permission can end
Your permission to stay ends on its expiry date, so apply to extend it before then if you want to stay on the same basis.
It can be taken away if you no longer qualify, gave important false information, or pose a risk to public order, security or health.
It can also end if you are removed from Finland.
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
Adavia doesn't provide advice, but we're building a directory of professionals who do. If you'd like, we can notify you when help is available.
Updated