Finnish Citizenship Lawyer
Finnish citizenship can be obtained by application or, in some cases, by declaration. The application requires five years of residence, sufficient language skills, and fulfillment of integrity requirements. The processing fee is 460 EUR (as of 2026). Finland accepts dual citizenship. A&Co. Legal helps with citizenship applications, declaration procedures, and appeals against citizenship denials.
Finnish citizenship can be obtained by application or, in some cases, by declaration. The requirements include residence, language skills, and integrity. Finland accepts dual citizenship.
What are the requirements for Finnish citizenship?
To obtain Finnish citizenship by application, you must: be at least 18 years old; have lived in Finland for at least five years continuously (or seven years if you are a Nordic citizen); have a permanent residence in Finland; have sufficient language skills in Finnish, Swedish, or Finnish Sign Language; have not committed any crimes that bar citizenship; and have fulfilled your financial obligations (taxes, child support, etc.). The five-year residence period is counted from the date you received your first residence permit, and certain types of residence (e.g., on a temporary permit) may not count fully. The integrity requirement means that crimes committed in Finland or abroad can affect eligibility, depending on the severity and recency.
What is the difference between application and declaration?
Citizenship by application (hakemus) is the standard route, requiring five years of residence and a language test. Citizenship by declaration (ilmoitus) is a simplified route available to certain groups — for example, a child of a Finnish citizen, a person who lost Finnish citizenship as a minor, a person who has lived in Finland for a long time as a Nordic citizen, or a person who has reached retirement age after long residence in Finland. The declaration route does not require a language test and has different residence requirements. A lawyer can assess which route applies to you and whether you meet the requirements. Choosing the correct route can save time and avoid an unnecessary language test.
Does Finland allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Finland has allowed dual (and multiple) citizenship since 2003. If you become a Finnish citizen, you do not need to give up your existing citizenship — unless your country of origin requires you to. However, you should check whether your country of origin allows dual citizenship, because some countries automatically revoke citizenship when you naturalize in another country. If you are a Finnish citizen and acquire another citizenship, you keep your Finnish citizenship. Dual citizens are subject to the laws of both countries, including military service, taxation, and diplomatic protection. A lawyer can advise on the practical implications of dual citizenship in your situation.
What language skills are required?
For citizenship by application, you must demonstrate sufficient skills in Finnish, Swedish, or Finnish Sign Language. This is typically done by passing a National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) test at level 3 or higher, or by completing a qualifying education in Finnish or Swedish. The language requirement is one of the most common reasons for delays in citizenship applications, so it is important to confirm your language test results before applying. If you have completed your schooling in Finnish or Swedish, you may be exempt from the test. The declaration route does not require a language test. A lawyer can confirm whether your language skills meet the requirement and whether you qualify for an exemption.
What if your citizenship application is denied?
If your citizenship application 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 denial include: insufficient residence period, failure to meet the language requirement, integrity issues (criminal record), or failure to meet financial obligations (unpaid taxes or child support). The appeal can argue that Migri's assessment was incorrect — for example, that the residence period was miscalculated, that the language test results were not properly considered, or that a criminal conviction does not meet the threshold for barring citizenship. A lawyer can assess the decision, identify the grounds for appeal, and draft the appeal. Citizenship appeals can succeed when the denial is based on a miscalculation or a misapplication of the integrity rules.
How much does a citizenship application cost?
The Migri processing fee for a citizenship application is 460 EUR (as of 2026). The YKI language test costs approximately 100–150 EUR. Legal fees for assistance with the application depend on complexity: a straightforward eligibility assessment and application review may cost 300–600 EUR, while a more complex case (e.g., gaps in residence, criminal record, or a prior denial) may cost 800–2,000 EUR. If the application is denied 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 Finnish citizenship. For a full overview of our immigration law services — including residence permits, appeals, 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
Applying for Finnish citizenship?
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