Family Ties Residence Permit Finland
A family-ties residence permit allows a non-EU family member of a person living in Finland to join them. The family member living in Finland (the sponsor) must generally have a valid residence permit and sufficient income to support the family. The application is filed at a Finnish mission abroad or, in some cases, at Migri in Finland. A&Co. Legal helps with application preparation and appeals.
A family-ties residence permit allows a non-EU family member to join a person living in Finland. The income requirements changed in June 2025 — and the application process requires careful preparation.
Who qualifies for a family-ties residence permit?
A family-ties residence permit can be granted to a spouse or registered partner, a cohabiting partner (under certain conditions), and unmarried children under 18 whose guardian lives in Finland. In some cases, other family members — such as parents of a child living in Finland — may qualify, but the requirements are stricter. The sponsor (the family member living in Finland) must generally have a valid residence permit or be a Finnish citizen. For spouses, the marriage or registered partnership must be genuine and not entered into solely for the purpose of obtaining a residence permit. Migri assesses the genuineness of the relationship based on the application and supporting documents.
What are the income requirements for family reunification?
The sponsor must generally demonstrate sufficient income to support the family members applying for residence permits. The income requirement depends on the family size and is adjusted periodically. The income thresholds changed on 16 June 2025, making the requirements stricter for some family types. The income can come from employment, entrepreneurship, pensions, or other secure sources. Housing costs are also taken into account. If the sponsor's income is below the threshold, the application can be refused. There are exceptions — for example, if the sponsor is a Finnish citizen or if humanitarian grounds apply. A lawyer can assess whether your income meets the current threshold and, if not, whether an exception applies.
How do you apply for a family-ties residence permit?
The application is typically submitted by the family member applying for the permit at a Finnish mission (embassy or consulate) abroad. The sponsor in Finland completes a sponsor's form and provides supporting documents (income proof, housing proof, relationship proof). In some cases — for example, if the applicant is already in Finland on a valid permit — the application can be submitted to Migri in Finland. The application requires: a completed application form, a valid passport, proof of the family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate), the sponsor's income and housing proof, and the processing fee. Processing times are typically 4–9 months depending on the mission and the complexity of the case.
What changed in family reunification rules in 2025?
The family reunification income requirements were amended effective 16 June 2025. The changes affected the income thresholds and the way income is assessed for certain family types. If you are planning a family reunification application based on rules you read before June 2025, you must verify that the income threshold has not increased. The changes also affected the documentation requirements for certain family relationships. A lawyer can confirm the current requirements, assess whether your income meets the threshold, and ensure your application includes all the necessary documentation. An application based on outdated rules can be delayed or refused.
What if the family-ties residence permit is denied?
If the family-ties residence permit is denied, you can appeal to the administrative court. The applicable deadline and appeal procedure must always be verified from the appeal instructions provided with the decision. Common grounds for appeal include: that the income assessment was too strict or failed to consider future income, that the genuineness of the relationship was incorrectly assessed, or that Migri failed to consider relevant evidence. In income-based refusals, the appeal can argue that the income calculation was incorrect, that certain income sources should have been accepted, or that an exception to the income requirement applies. A lawyer can assess the decision, identify the strongest grounds for appeal, and draft the appeal. Family reunification appeals have a good success rate when the income or relationship assessment is properly challenged.
How much does a family-ties residence permit application cost?
The Migri processing fee for a family-ties residence permit is 350 EUR for adults and 350 EUR for minors (first application) when applied for online, with higher fees for paper applications (as of 2026). Legal fees for assistance with the application depend on complexity: a straightforward application review may cost 400–800 EUR, while a more complex case (e.g., income below threshold, blended family, or prior refusal) may cost 800–2,000 EUR. If the application is refused and an appeal is needed, the appeal is billed separately. Some cases qualify for public legal aid. We always provide a written cost estimate before starting any work.
Immigration Law Finland
This page covers family-ties residence permits. For a full overview of our immigration law services — including appeals, citizenship, deportation, and entry bans — visit our main immigration law page.
View all immigration law servicesRelated pages
Sources
- Aliens Act (301/2004) – Finlex (English translation)
- Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) – English
- Migri – Permanent residence permit
- Migri – Application for a permanent residence permit
- Migri – Amendments to Aliens Act 2026 (permanent residence permits)
- Migri – Period of residence requirement
- Supreme Administrative Court (KHO) – decisions
- EU Return Directive (2008/115/EC) – EUR-Lex
Content reviewed by: Pezhman Ahmadi, OTM — Immigration Law
Updated: September 26, 2026
Bringing your family to Finland?
The income requirements changed in 2025. Contact us to assess your eligibility and prepare a well-grounded family reunification application.