Eligibility quiz
Were you born in Finland?
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 onlineApplying online
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your citizenship declaration.
See required documentsFill in the declaration
Create an Enter Finland account or sign in, then complete the citizenship declaration for a young person with long-term residence in Finland and upload your documents. The online form is available in Finnish and Swedish.
Fill in the declarationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply online for a Finland citizenship declaration for a young person with long-term residence in Finland?”
Submit your application
Submit your declaration in Enter Finland and pay the €260 fee by credit card or with Finnish online banking credentials. You can also apply on paper at a Finnish Immigration Service point.
Submit your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply online for a Finland citizenship declaration for a young person with long-term residence in Finland?”
Book an appointment
Follow the identity-check instructions in Enter Finland. If you need to visit a Finnish Immigration Service point, book an appointment there.
Book an appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Finnish Immigration Service appointment for a young person's citizenship declaration in Finland?”
Go to your appointment
If Enter Finland tells you to visit a service point, bring your identity document and the originals of your required documents to your appointment.
Find service pointsWait for the decision
Follow your application in Enter Finland, provide any further information requested and report changes. Read your decision there; if approved, you can apply for a Finnish passport.
Follow your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I follow my Finland citizenship declaration for a young person with long-term residence in Finland and read the decision?”
Documents needed
Required to applyRequired to apply
Application forms
Use the online young person’s declaration or the paper form KAN_6. If you include a child under 18 in your care, add a separate KAN_LIITELOMAKE supplement for each child.
Passport or identity document
Have a valid passport or, if you do not have one, another identity document. Bring the original if you visit a service point, and make sure your travel document stays valid throughout processing.
Proof of moving *
Provide a document showing your moves within Finland or abroad. You can use population information or move-notification evidence from Finland’s Digital and Population Data Services Agency.
* Only if your residence history needs to be established.
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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