Eligibility quiz
Were you adopted when you were 12 or older?
Benefits
Benefits for your childBenefits for your child
Finnish passport and ID
A Finnish passport lets you travel internationally, subject to the entry rules of your destination.
A Finnish identity card can be used to travel to listed European countries.
You do not need a passport between Nordic countries, but you must be able to prove your identity and citizenship.
Live in Finland for life
Finnish citizens have an unconditional right to live in Finland, and citizenship does not expire.
Study in Finland
Finnish citizens can study in Finland without a residence permit.
Work in Finland
Finnish citizens can work in Finland without a residence or work permit.
Get help abroad
Finnish citizens can seek consular help abroad in emergencies, including arrest, serious illness, unrest or lost documents.
If Finland has no local representation, you can seek help from another EU country’s embassy or consulate.
Vote in elections
Finnish citizens can vote from age 18 in parliamentary, presidential and European Parliament elections, under each election’s rules.
Voting in municipal and wellbeing-services-county elections is principally tied to residence in the municipality or county.
Use public healthcare
Finnish citizens can use public healthcare when they have a municipality of residence in Finland.
Get social support
Finnish citizens can receive Kela benefits if they meet the conditions, which depend mainly on residence, work and the benefit.
How to apply
Applying from inside FinlandApplying from inside Finland
Gather your documents
Your custodian or guardian prepares the documents required for the Finnish Immigration Service.
See required documentsOpen the online form
Your custodian or guardian opens the online KAN_5 form for an adopted child. It is available in Finnish and Swedish.
Find the online formFill in the application
Your custodian or guardian creates or uses an Enter Finland account, fills in the form for you and uploads the documents.
Fill in the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in Finland's adopted-child citizenship declaration in Enter Finland?”
Submit your application
Your custodian or guardian submits the application in Enter Finland and pays the €230 fee by credit card or Finnish online banking. A paper application submitted in person is also possible.
Submit the applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit Finland's adopted-child citizenship declaration in Enter Finland?”
Book an appointment
Your custodian or guardian books an appointment for you both at an available Finnish Immigration Service service point.
Book an appointmentGo to your appointment
Go with your custodian or guardian to the service point to prove your identity. Bring your original identity or travel document and the attachments.
Prepare for your appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “What should I bring to a Finland service point appointment for an adopted-child citizenship declaration?”
Wait for the decision
Your custodian or guardian can follow the application in Enter Finland and respond if the Finnish Immigration Service asks for more information. If the declaration is approved, you become a Finnish citizen.
Follow the applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I follow Finland's adopted-child citizenship declaration in Enter Finland?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Adoption decision
Provide the decision on your adoption. If you are not registered in Finland’s Population Information System, provide the registration-information form from the service provider instead.
Parent's citizenship records
Provide a copy of your Finnish adoptive parent’s Finnish passport. Also provide either a copy of their residence permit in the country where they live or a certificate from an office in that country showing they have not become its citizen. The residence permit or certificate is not needed if your parent has never lived outside Finland or the Nordic countries, became Finnish by application and lived in Finland until you were born, or became a citizen of another country on or after 1 June 2003.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Registration when living abroad
Finnish citizens moving abroad for more than three months must report the move and keep their population records up to date.
They must also notify Kela where relevant.
Military service for men
Finnish men aged 18–60 must perform national defence service if fit.
This can be armed, unarmed or non-military service.
Citizenship can be lost
At 22, citizens with another citizenship may lose Finnish citizenship without sufficient ties to Finland.
It can be revoked for decisive application fraud or certain serious offences by adults with another citizenship, after a qualifying sentence and assessment.
Release on request requires another citizenship if otherwise stateless and cannot be used to evade duties while resident in Finland.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Foreigners in Finland
English Facebook group for people living in Finland interested in Finnish local life
Join on FacebookExpats & Foreigners in Finland
English Facebook group for people living in Finland interested in Finnish local life
Join on FacebookJoensuu English Speakers
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