Three ways to obtain Finnish citizenship in 2025

Citizenship by birth

A child born to Finnish citizens acquires citizenship automatically if:

• the mother is a Finnish citizen;
• the father is a Finnish citizen and married to the child's mother;
• the child is born in Finland and the father is a Finnish citizen.

Citizenship by declaration

A Finnish passport can be obtained through declaration by:

• a child born abroad out of wedlock to a parent who is a Finnish citizen;
• a child aged 12 to 17 who has been adopted by Finnish citizens;
• citizens of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland;
• former Finnish citizens.

Citizenship by naturalisation

To obtain a Finnish passport through naturalisation, since 1 October 2024 the general rule is eight years of continuous residence in the country. After that, citizenship is available to applicants who:

• have no criminal record;
• have housing in Finland, whether owned or rented;
• earn an income no lower than the subsistence minimum;
• speak Finnish at level B1 or above.

The benefits of Finnish citizenship

• life in a country with a strong economy, high levels of safety and robust social protection;
• access to high-quality free education;
• access to healthcare;
• a favourable climate and clean environment;
• visa-free travel to 189 countries.

Paraguayan citizenship by investment

One of the most attractive citizenship-by-investment options is Paraguay - a strategically located land of opportunity that is open to the world. Paraguayan citizenship by investment offers foreign nationals and their families a rare chance to obtain permanent residency for an investment from 70,000 US dollars, then a passport no earlier than three years of living in the country as a permanent resident, and enjoy all its advantages: visa-free travel to 145 countries, including the Schengen area, the United Kingdom and Singapore; eligibility for the US E-2 visa; tax optimisation with a 10% rate; and life in a country with a high standard of living and a pleasant climate.

What has changed by 2026

• Residence period. Since 1 October 2024 the general rule is 8 years of continuous lawful residence in Finland. Up to 365 days abroad are allowed over the whole period, with no more than 90 days in the last year before the decision.
• Means of support. For applications filed from 17 December 2025, you must not have received unemployment benefit or social assistance for more than 3 months in total in the last 2 years. There is no fixed income threshold, but the lawful source of money must be explained.
• Fee. In 2026 an online application costs €550 (about $620) and a paper one €650 (about $730).
• Citizenship test. From early 2027 a test on Finnish society, laws, human rights, history and culture is introduced. A Finnish or Swedish school matriculation exam or a university degree replaces it.

How to prove language skills

You need satisfactory Finnish or Swedish, spoken and written. It is proven by the national language exam at the intermediate level or the civil service language certificate. The certificate must exist before you apply. Even after 8 years in the country the language requirement stays unless a statutory exception applies.

Processing times

In 2026 about 19,400 applications are in the queue. The maximum time for an adult's application is 2 years and 7 months, but 40% of cases are decided within 1 year and 3 months. Processing cannot be expedited, so file a complete set at once: every request for missing documents pushes the decision back.

Costs item by item

• the citizenship application: €550 online or €650 on paper;
• the language exam;
• translation and legalisation of foreign documents: birth and marriage certificates, police certificates if requested;
• before citizenship, residence permit extensions over all 8 years.

Exchange rate: $1.12 per euro on 6 October 2026. Our support fee is quoted by a manager in the chat.

Why applications are refused

• the continuous period is too short or there are too many days abroad;
• more than 3 months of unemployment benefit or social assistance in the last 2 years;
• offences: serious or repeated ones mean a waiting period of 1 to 8 years, while minor fines alone do not block citizenship;
• no language certificate on the filing date;
• identity not proven by reliable documents.

Comparison with EU neighbours

Finland requires longer residence than its neighbours but allows dual citizenship. You can start with a Finnish start-up residence permit.

Documents and how to apply

• apply online through the Finnish Immigration Service's e-service, then visit a service point in person to prove your identity;
• a passport and a valid residence permit;
• proof of Finnish or Swedish language skills;
• information on income and work for the last 2 years, some of which the authority obtains itself;
• translated and legalised birth and marriage certificates if requested.

Children under 18 can be included in a parent's application.

FAQ