Amendments to Finnish Citizenship Act Effective as of October 2024

Photo source : Yle.fi 

On 1 October 2024, amendments to the Finnish Citizenship Act officially came into force, bringing several key changes to the citizenship application process, particularly concerning the required period of residence in Finland.

Extension of the Residence Requirement

One of the most notable changes is the extension of the residence requirement for Finnish citizenship. Previously, applicants needed to have resided in Finland for a shorter period, but now the minimum required period of residence has been increased to eight years.

However, there are exceptions where a shorter period may apply. Applicants are advised to review the specific guidelines on the "Period of Residence" page to determine how long they must have lived in Finland to qualify for citizenship.

Changes in Rules for Residence Abroad

The new amendments also address periods of residence abroad during the citizenship qualification period. Under the revised rules, applicants may now include a total of 365 days spent abroad as part of the required period of residence. Within this allowance, up to 90 days can be from the year immediately before the citizenship decision. Any additional time spent abroad beyond this limit will not count towards the residence requirement.

Faster Processing for Special Groups

Another significant change brought about by the amendment is the accelerated processing of citizenship applications for beneficiaries of international protection and stateless individuals. Moving forward, applications from these groups will be treated as urgent and will receive a decision within one year of submission.

Additionally, the way the period of residence is calculated for applicants granted international protection has changed. The period will now be counted from the day the applicant received their first continuous residence permit (an A permit), rather than from the date the asylum application was submitted.

Application Processing Backlog and Waiting Times

At present, there is a substantial backlog in the processing of citizenship applications, with around 28,000 applications waiting in line. This delay is due to the large volume of applications received in recent years, many of which have not met the necessary requirements. As a result, waiting times are longer than usual. Applicants are strongly encouraged to ensure that they meet all the requirements for citizenship before applying, as incomplete applications may result in a negative decision.

The Finnish Immigration Service has announced plans to gradually clear the backlog by 2027.

Online Application Benefits

To streamline the application process, the Finnish Immigration Service is offering an option for applicants to submit their applications online, potentially eliminating the need for an in-person visit to a service point. To take advantage of this option, applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old and applying for citizenship for themselves,
• Submit their application via the Enter Finland online service,
• Use strong electronic identification, such as Finnish online banking credentials, and
• Pay for the application before submission.

For further details, applicants can consult the page on identification requirements.

Important Notes for Applicants

• Applications submitted before 1 October 2024 will be processed under the old version of the Citizenship Act.
• Applications submitted on or after 1 October 2024 will follow the new requirements, including the extended residence period.

The Finnish Immigration Service continues to provide updates on these changes and the ongoing reform of the Citizenship Act, which will be implemented in three phases. The second and third phases are still in progress, and more information will be made available on the Ministry of the Interior’s website as further amendments are introduced.

For additional information, see the official bulletins and press releases from the Finnish Immigration Service and the Ministry of the Interior.