Finnish citizenship in 2026: how a foreigner can get it
8 years in the country, Finnish or Swedish and no long periods on benefits, plus a test from March 2027. We cover the timeline, requirements, fee and what to do before the new rules.
The short answer: Finnish citizenship is acquired by naturalisation after 8 years of living in the country, with Finnish or Swedish skills and without long periods on benefits. From 1 October 2024 the period rose from 5 to 8 years, and from March 2027 a compulsory test on knowledge of Finnish society will be added. On the plus side, you keep your current passport: Finland has allowed dual citizenship since 2003.
The Finnish passport is one of the strongest in the world: 186 destinations without a prior visa and, above all, the right to live and work across the EU. The road to it is long, so mistakes at the start, in choosing the grounds for residence, cost years.
How many years do you need to live in Finland for citizenship
For applications made from 1 October 2024 the general rule is 8 years of continuous lawful residence. The period is shorter for spouses of Finnish citizens, stateless persons and those who have proven Finnish or Swedish language skills. Over the whole period you may spend 365 days abroad in total, but no more than 90 in the last year before applying.
There is no longer a special descent route for people of Finnish origin from the former USSR: the Ingrian Finn return programme has been closed, and they follow the general procedure. A child of a Finnish citizen is Finnish by birth, wherever they are born.
Requirements: language, income and integrity
- Language. Satisfactory oral and written Finnish or Swedish, level three of six on the European scale, proven by the national language exam or Finnish education.
- Means of support. No more than 3 months in total on unemployment benefit or social assistance in the last 2 years, and a clear account of how you supported yourself.
- Integrity. No convictions or serious violations, with taxes paid and obligations met.
- Identity reliably established: a passport and documents the immigration service can verify.
How much Finnish citizenship costs
| Payment | Amount in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Online application | 550 euros, ~$620 |
| Paper application | 650 euros, ~$735 |
| National language exam | separately, at the exam tariff |
| Translations and legalisation | at translator and notary rates |
Mandatory state payments total about $620 for an online application, excluding the language exam, translations and the cost of years of living in the country. The fee is not refunded if you are refused, so apply only when the period and documents clearly add up. Processing takes months; the immigration service publishes current times.
The fee of about $620 is not refunded - apply when the period adds up to the day
The law does not stop you from applying for Finnish citizenship on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fee: a residence period that does not count the time before your first continuous permit, too many days abroad in the last year, more months on benefits than allowed, a language certificate at the wrong level. Murblz specialists count the period day by day, check the income and language requirements, prepare the documents and file the application, before the 2027 rules take effect if you can make it.
The cost of support depends on the grounds and the family; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
What changes in 2027
The Finnish Parliament has approved new amendments to the Citizenship Act: they enter into force on 1 January 2027 and apply to applications made from 1 March 2027. The main novelty is a compulsory test on knowledge of Finnish society. If your period and language are already in place, it pays to apply before March 2027 under the current rules.
Dual citizenship
Finland does not require giving up a previous citizenship. Whether you can keep both depends on your home country: some countries allow a second citizenship but require you to notify the authorities, others take theirs away. Check your home country's rules before applying.
Where to start on the path to a passport is covered on the Finland start-up residence and Finland: all programs pages, taxes in Finnish taxes, and a passport comparison in our 2026 passport overview.
How we help
Murblz specialists plan the road to a Finnish passport from the first residence permit: they choose the grounds, count residence day by day, prepare the documents and application and file it before the new requirements take effect if you can make it.
Start-up residence
An entrepreneur's residence permit - the first step towards the citizenship period.
Learn more →Finland start-up visa
Conditions, funding and documents for founders.
Learn more →Moving to Finland
All grounds for living in the country and their timelines.
Learn more →Finnish taxes
When tax residence starts and how to count days.
Learn more →Helsinki
Districts, rent and life in the capital.
Learn more →An apartment in Finland
Who can buy a home and what it costs.
Learn more →FAQ
How many years do you need to live in Finland for citizenship?
How much does a Finnish citizenship application cost?
Does Finland allow dual citizenship?
What changes for Finnish citizenship in 2027?
Don’t want to figure this out alone?
We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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