Key Points
- Finland will introduce new citizenship requirements and timelines beginning October 1, 2024
Finnish Citizenship Requirements
The government of Finland will introduce new citizenship requirements beginning October 1, 2024. As a result, the required residence period for Finnish citizenship extends from five to eight years. Additional changes include:
- Citizenship applications for beneficiaries of international protection will be processed urgently, with decisions made within one year
- For children aged 15 or over, spouses of Finnish citizens, stateless persons, and applicants meeting language proficiency requirements, the residence period extends from four to five years
- Nordic citizens and spouses of Finnish mission workers abroad remain unchanged for two years. Only periods of residence with a residence permit will be considered, excluding asylum application processing time. The total allowable absence abroad is one year, with no more than three months in the year preceding naturalization
Looking Ahead
Continue to check Finland’s government website for the latest updates and information.
Written by: Jessie Butchley, Global Immigration Writer, Envoy Global
Source: Finnish Government
