Eligibility quiz
Was your father or a mother who did not give birth to you a Finnish citizen when you were born?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
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 at a service pointApplying at a service point
Find a service point
Find a Finnish Immigration Service point where you can attend in person. You can also use a service point if you live abroad but are in Finland.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Finnish Immigration Service service point is near your city for a citizenship declaration?”
Download the declaration form
Download the paper citizenship declaration form for an adult whose parent is a Finnish citizen, or the form for an adopted child aged 12–17, as appropriate.
Find the declaration formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Finnish Immigration Service citizenship declaration form for an adult with a Finnish parent or an adopted child?”
Fill in the form
Fill in and sign the paper declaration. For an adopted child, the person making the declaration fills in and signs it for the child.
Get help with the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in a Finnish Immigration Service citizenship declaration for an adult with a Finnish parent or an adopted child?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the service point.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Book an appointment at a Finnish Immigration Service point to submit the declaration.
Book an appointmentGo to your appointment
Bring the completed declaration, identity evidence, and the originals and copies of the required documents. For an adopted child's declaration, bring the child; submit the declaration and pay the fee at the appointment, asking the service point how you can pay.
Find payment methodsWait for the decision
Wait for the Finnish Immigration Service to send its decision and respond if it asks for more information. If the declaration is approved, you or your child can then apply for a Finnish passport.
See how decisions arriveSearches DuckDuckGo for “How will I receive the Finnish Immigration Service decision on my citizenship declaration?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificate *
Get your birth certificate showing your parents and place of birth. Bring a copy and the original.
* Only if you are applying as an adult and your details are not in Finland's Population Information System.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationAdoption records *
Bring the Finnish adoption decision and a copy. If your details are not in Finland's Population Information System, you can bring a registration-information form from the adoption service provider instead.
* Only if you are applying as an adopted child aged 12 to 17.
May need translationParentage decision *
Get the official document showing that your Finnish father's or other Finnish mother's parenthood was established. Bring a copy and the original.
* Only if you are applying as an adult because your Finnish parenthood was established after you turned 18.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationParent's citizenship records *
For an adult declaration, show that your Finnish father or other Finnish mother was Finnish when you were born. For an adopted child's declaration, show that your Finnish adoptive parent is Finnish when the declaration is made. Bring a copy of your parent's Finnish passport and residence permit, or a certificate from the office that can confirm your parent has not become a citizen of the country where they live.
* Only if your Finnish parent lived outside Finland and the Nordic countries, did not become Finnish by application and stay in Finland until your birth, and did not become a citizen of another country on or after 1 June 2003.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
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
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