Finnish citizenship by application
naturalisation
Adults can apply for Finnish citizenship after 8 years of legal residence in Finland under the rules in force since 1 October 2024. Applicants need satisfactory Finnish or Swedish, and those aged 18-64 must also meet a civic knowledge requirement, usually by passing the citizenship test. Shorter residence periods apply to some groups, such as spouses of Finnish citizens and Nordic citizens.
Life in Finland
Money
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
91
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
12.64–37.5%
Income tax (national)
VAT 25.5%
State tax 37.5% above EUR 52,100; plus municipal tax (set by each municipality, roughly 4.7-10.9%) and optional church tax.
Living
1
Happiness
#1 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Dual citizenship for you Members
Whether this country allows dual citizenship, and what it means for your own passports
Who it’s for
Foreign nationals living in Finland long term with a residence permit.
Eligibility
Residence period
You need to have lived legally in Finland with a permit for the required number of years before applying.
Years of residence required
- Standard
- 8 years
- Stateless persons
- 5 years
- Spouse of Finnish citizen3+ years living together
- 5 years
- Nordic citizens
- 2 years
Official wording
Living in Finland and legally resident with a permit for the past 8 years. 5 years for stateless persons and for spouses of Finnish citizens (with at least 3 years of living together); 2 years for Nordic citizens.
Time abroad
Limited time spent abroad can still count towards your residence period.
Days abroad that can be counted
- In total
- 365 days
- Year before applyingat most
- 90 days
Official wording
Up to 365 days abroad can be counted in total, of which at most 90 days during the year immediately before applying.
Language
Show at least satisfactory spoken and written Finnish or Swedish with an accepted certificate obtained before applying.
- Example level: YKI level 3
- Certificate must be obtained before you apply
Official wording
At least satisfactory spoken and written Finnish or Swedish (e.g. YKI level 3), proven with an accepted certificate obtained before applying.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementCivic knowledge
- Document checklistValid passport
- FeesCitizenship application - online
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 2 more requirements
- 3 documents
- 2 fees
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Finland
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Finland
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyResidence permit for studies
- Work permitsResidence permit for a specialist (erityisasiantuntija), including the fast-track service
- Permanent residencePermanent residence permit
- FamilyResidence permit for a spouse
