Finland Tightens Citizenship Rules

Finland's new citizenship rules, effective from October 1, 2024.

The required residency for citizenship has been extended from five to eight years, with the aim of promoting integration through language proficiency and long-term commitment.

While most applicants must now reside in Finland for eight years, the requirement drops to five years for those fluent in Finnish or Swedish, married to a Finnish citizen, or part of specific groups like stateless individuals.

New restrictions also limit time spent abroad during residency. Applicants can be outside Finland for up to 365 days, but only 90 of those days can be within the year before the application. This aims to streamline eligibility and reduce the backlog of citizenship applications.

However, these changes may also affect Finland's ability to attract and retain top international talent. In industries like technology, where Finnish language skills are often not essential, stricter rules could deter skilled workers who are crucial to Finland’s growing economy.

What Does Finnish Citizenship Offer?

Finnish citizenship provides numerous benefits, including the right to live, work, and study in Finland and other EU countries without restrictions.

Citizens can also vote in national and EU elections, hold public office, and enjoy the full protection of Finnish law. Additionally, Finland allows dual citizenship, which means individuals can retain their original nationality while becoming Finnish citizens.

Finland offers excellent world-class healthcare, free education, national pension, child allowance, basic unemployment benefits, sickness and parental allowances, income support and rehabilitation.

Finnish passport holders also have visa-free entry to 187 countries around the globe and enjoy freedom of movement across the EU for travel, work, and study.

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