How to obtain Finnish citizenship for a citizen of the Russian Federation

Benefits of Finnish citizenship

Finnish citizenship provides a person with a whole range of advantages. The main ones include:

• economic and political stability;
• free movement within the Schengen territories, visa-free visits to up to 175 countries;
• purchase of real estate in Finland, the Schengen area with the possibility of unhindered visits to the territories;
• employment in Finland, decent wages, the opportunity to legally find a job in any European country, developed economy, a large number of jobs;
• good level of social security and pension provision;
• accessible higher education;
• unhindered acquisition of citizenship of any EU country in the future if desired;
• access to free good education and medicine.

The right to vote, to be elected, to elect is also granted. And Finland is simply a highly developed country with a high standard of living; every specialist will find a place in the sun here.

Good to know ! Finnish law allows dual citizenship, which is rare for European countries.

In the labor field

If you find a job in Finland, then you are lucky. Finding a job in Suomi is sometimes not easy for Finns themselves.

– First, the foreigner is issued a work visa for one year or a shorter period (under “B” status). Or for a year under “A” status for the position of director or one of the managers of the company. Forms OLE_TY1 and TEM054 with the necessary attachments are filled out by the employer, explains Igor Khitrukhin. – When continuing the employment relationship, the employee has the opportunity to obtain a long-term residence permit in Finland (status “A”), valid for 4 years.

After this, having received a permanent residence permit and passing a language exam, you can apply for citizenship.

Who can obtain Finnish citizenship?

Acquisition of Finnish citizenship for Russians is carried out according to the general scheme. In addition, every new subject of the country must know its constitutional structure, traditions, and be willing to fully integrate into the local community. Additional conditions that must be met:

• availability of a permit to stay in the country, issued in accordance with all the rules (if you do not have one, you will need to obtain one);
• age of majority;
• no problems with the law;
• no criminal record in the country of current citizenship;
• a sufficient level of income that will allow a citizen to provide for himself and his family without government subsidies;
• proficiency in Finnish or Swedish at a high level (fluent reading, writing, speaking);
• positive results of a medical examination in a Finnish clinic (diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis, drug addiction, schizophrenia, and some others are monitored).

The purchase of real estate does not lead to registration of citizenship, regardless of the price of the property. The owner can obtain a multiple visa using a simplified procedure, with which he will be able to stay in the country for up to 6 months out of 12.

Do you want to get EU citizenship in 12 months? Take the free test and find out your chances.

Good to know! Having real estate in Finland will speed up the process of obtaining citizenship, although obtaining it in itself does not guarantee it.

Who can obtain Finnish citizenship

Finnish legislation has two documents on the nuances of obtaining citizenship: the Constitution and the Citizenship Act, which was published in 1968, and the last amendments were made in 2003.

According to regulatory legal acts, an applicant for Finnish citizenship is any person living on the planet who meets certain criteria and has a desire to receive citizenship of the Republic. It must also respect the main body of laws of the country, know and observe all the rules and traditions of the people, and be ready for a complete merger with local society. There is a list of other conditions:

• availability of permission to stay in the Republic;
• reaching adulthood;
• no violations of Finnish laws;
• no criminal record in your home country;
• decent monthly income;
• knowledge of Finnish or Swedish at a high level;
• absence of diseases that are dangerous to society (tuberculosis, AIDS, syphilis).

Purchasing real estate in Finland is not a reason for automatic citizenship, regardless of the value of the property. In this case, the property owner can apply for a multiple visa, allowing him to stay on the territory of the Republic for 6 months during the year. But experts who decide on the issuance of citizenship consider the presence of real estate to be a big plus when applying for Finnish citizenship.

Who shouldn't become a Finnish citizen?

There are certain restrictions when obtaining Finnish citizenship. According to them, citizenship does not shine:

• current employees of foreign intelligence services;
• military personnel of foreign armies;
• people with a criminal past (namely, a criminal record over the last ten years of life in their homeland);
• foreign citizens who are being prosecuted in criminal cases in their home country (similar articles should be in the Criminal Code of Finland);
• persons suspected of connections with international criminal and terrorist groups.

The category also includes foreign citizens who have previously violated the immigration laws in force in the country.

Grounds for obtaining Finnish citizenship

All options for obtaining Finnish citizenship:

• by right of birth, origin;
• natural naturalization;
• family reunification;
• marriage with a local citizen;
• special services to the state;
• refugee status;
• citizenship by declaration.

To choose the best method for yourself, first familiarize yourself with the features of each.

Right of birth or descent

In the republic's legislation on immigration issues, jurisprudence prevails. Therefore, a child born to a citizen or subject of a country receives citizenship automatically. A similar procedure applies to children who were found on the territory of the republic with unidentified parents.

Important! Finnish law recognizes official marriages. If a child is born to an unregistered couple, a DNA test is done.

Children over 12 years old can choose their own citizenship. If the parents were not residents, being born on the territory of the country does not in itself provide any special advantages.

Conditions for naturalization

They have lived in Finland for six years to obtain citizenship under the conditions of naturalization; for the last two they will need to stay in the country without leaving the country. You can visit Finland with a visa. First, apply for a residence permit, then register at your place of stay. Obtain permanent residence, in which you will need to live for two years, then apply for citizenship.

Family reunification

Finland values ​​family traditions. All foreigners who have relatives in the country can take part in the family reunification program. Children move to their parents, parents to their children, and other relatives to each other. The host country, by law, provides housing and helps with temporary residence permits and permanent residence.

Marriage

The easiest and fastest way to obtain citizenship; children born in a couple will also be citizens. You must live strictly in a legal marriage and for at least three years, in the country - from four years. Same-sex marriages are not recognized; official marriage will also need to be proven (pass a fictitious test). The property status of the spouses is analyzed and neighbors are interviewed. A fictitious marriage is a reason for deportation.

Special Merits

In this area, Finnish citizenship is granted to those foreigners who provided assistance to the country and contributed to its cultural prosperity, political and sports development. Among the awardees are world-famous scientists and investors. The president makes decisions on the category.

Refugees

Finland accepts quotas for the placement of refugees from the Middle East and African countries. The grounds for admission are discrimination, persecution in the migrant’s homeland on the basis of religion, political views, nationality, and race. The migrant's evidence must be double-checked. In Finland the analysis is strict.

Russians and citizens of other CIS countries request political asylum. Refugee status allows you to obtain Finnish citizenship after four years of official permanent residence in the country (personally and for your family). This category of migrants does not pass language tests and does not pass other tests.

Citizenship by declaration

The simplified scheme has much in common with naturalization, but there are also differences. Citizens who previously lost Finnish citizenship when naturalized in another country can undergo the procedure of restoration by declaration. To do this, you need to prove that you used to have a Finnish passport. Requirements for applicants:

• age 18-22 years;
• availability of permanent registration;
• no problems with the law.

Expressing a desire to become a Finnish citizen is sufficient for a person who meets the criteria.

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Descendants of the Finns

The right to repatriation is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Rights. It is also enshrined in the Finnish Constitution. According to this scheme, ethnic Finns living on the territory of the republics of the USSR can obtain citizenship. We consider applicants with close relatives from the republic, ex-citizens of the country who have lost their citizenship for objective reasons.

Good to know ! Men over the age of 18 who have received citizenship of the republic become liable for military service.

Is it possible to buy Finnish citizenship?

A priori, no, but the chances of obtaining a passport increase significantly when transferring business to the country. You can buy proof of Finnish roots, but this is easily verified and risks refusal with further deportation. Such fraud is extremely undesirable in the EU due to the threat of criminal liability. You cannot buy the passport itself.

Ways to obtain Finnish citizenship in 2021

Obtaining citizenship is a controlled aspect in Finland. This is not surprising, because according to the rules of the European Parliament, all countries that have signed an agreement on accession to the EU are obliged to strictly monitor foreigners in their state. On this basis, a large number of Finnish laws have been created: “On obtaining citizenship”, “On immigration”, “On administrative procedure”, “On the admission of applicants for international protection”, “On registration of foreigners”, “On non-discrimination”.

Legislative regulation of entry into Finland concerns citizens of a variety of groups, from the return of ethnic Finns to the provision of shelter for refugees from Africa and the Middle East. Experiencing big problems with a declining birth rate and an increasing aging population, Finland is willingly considering applications from its European neighbors in order to also reduce the entry of emigrants from third countries. Russians and Ukrainians have long made up the share of immigrants from the CIS, with the largest number of Russians moving from St. Petersburg with Finnish citizenship, according to data.

In 2021, the same conditions for obtaining citizenship remained as in 2021. Absolutely every law-abiding citizen can become a citizen of Finland. The only thing you should do is check which method of obtaining Finnish citizenship suits you best. Review them and come up with a plan for a safe move.

Legalized ways to obtain Finnish citizenship include:

1. Citizenship by declaration.
2. Citizenship by naturalization.
3. Citizenship through marriage.
4. Citizenship by investment or special merit.
5. Citizenship by family reunification.
6. Citizenship under the repatriation program.
7. Citizenship through childbirth.
8. Citizenship for refugees.

According to the declaration

To quickly obtain citizenship with a Finnish passport, you must submit a declaration application in accordance with the requirements of the Migri immigration service. The government has legalized the protocol for individual individuals. These include:

• children born on June 1, 2003 and after this date from a mother or father of Finnish nationality;
• a child born abroad to a Finnish couple registered in a partnership;
• a child who was born out of wedlock, but the parents or one of the parents has Finnish roots;
• adopted children aged 12-17 years by residents of Finland;
• residents of Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Switzerland;
• former citizens of Finland;
• young people aged 18-22 years living in the country for 10 years;
• or were born in Finland 6 years ago.

A citizen of the Russian Federation who fits one of the descriptions can obtain the status of a permanent resident of Finland for 2 years. He then needs to apply for citizenship either online or on paper. Processing an electronic application for citizenship will cost €80 or €150, the price of a paper format is €100 or €200. Rates depend on the candidate's situation.

In addition to the application, the applicant for Finnish citizenship may be asked to:

1. Birth certificate for him and his parents.
2. Adoption document.
3. Passport of current citizenship.
4. Certificate of no criminal record in Finland.
5. Submission of biometric parameters.
6. Autobiography.

All documents must be translated into Finnish or Swedish and also notarized.

Through naturalization

The naturalization process is approved by the Finnish Government. According to the laws, in order to stay here, you must obtain residence permit status for 4 years, then obtain permanent residence for 2 years. After six years of living in Finland, the Population Registration Center will accept an application for citizenship with the issuance of a passport.

The Finnish authorities highly value foreigners who bring benefit and prosperity to their country. They mean investors, businessmen, and specialists. It is worth emphasizing here that Russians have the opportunity to find employment on their own by sending an application to the Finnish Employment and Economic Development Bureau. To do this, use the official website www.te-palvelut.fi/te/fi/tyonantajalle/loyda_tyontekija/tyolupapalvelut/index.html, where you can submit a job request and search for the desired vacancy in Finland.

To obtain a residence permit and work permit, the employee's monthly salary must be at least €1,236. This figure corresponds to the living wage in Finland and is enshrined in the Employment Protection Act. For specialists the amount is set at $3000, and for Blue Card holders $4853. In addition, young people have the opportunity to move to Finland under the Au Pair program and obtain citizenship with a passport. With the conditions that the hiring party provides housing, insurance and pocket money in the amount of $280 per month.

There is also a chance to naturalize through studying in Finland, which is considered one of the best among the Scandinavian countries. The only problem for Russians will be the requirement to know one of the state languages, these include Swedish and Finnish. In practice, the student is issued a residence permit for 2 years. The financial criterion is the availability of funds in the amount of €560 per month. After graduating from a local university, it is easier to find a job in a Finnish company and obtain citizenship with a Finnish passport.

To naturalize, you need to prove your length of residence and your law-abiding nature. Typically, an applicant for citizenship in Finland is asked to:

1. Passport, as well as other expired passports.
2. Photo based on the sample, in the amount of 4 pieces.
3. Proof of 6 years' residence in Finland.
4. Certificate of no criminal record.
5. Medical examination.
6. Positive result of the language test.

If we take into account the costs of a residence permit, they are not small; employees and specialists will be lucky if their employer pays for them. According to current tariffs, a Finnish temporary resident card costs €470-640, renewal is €80, and for permanent residence it costs €190. To these costs is added the processing of an application for citizenship with a Finnish passport of €200. As a result, the applicant pays €940-1110.

Upon reunification with family

There are about 70,000 Russian-speaking people living in Finland, and more people are added to this number every year who come to visit their relatives or to work. If a Russian or Ukrainian has parents or children living there, then the applicant submits documents for citizenship upon family reunification. It won’t be easy to move in with grandparents and grandchildren, but if their parents move and take their children, the family will be formed much faster. Specialists working in Finnish companies also have the right to bring their family for temporary residence, and after 6 years they are allowed to obtain Finnish citizenship.

This method is the most expensive; you will have to prepare many documents, translate them, and notarize them. In addition, you need to go through all the stages of obtaining citizenship: learn the language, pass the test, pay a fee of €1000-1200, take the oath.

To the Finnish Immigration Service to obtain citizenship and a passport, the applicant sends an application and provides:

1. Information on family ties with the attached package of documents.
2. Guarantee agreement for the host party in Finland.
3. Certificate of absence of offenses.
4. Personal information, including passport, photo, biometrics.

The decision to issue a passport is made within 3-7 months. The better the candidate prepares, the faster the commission will render a verdict on obtaining citizenship.

Through marriage

No matter how Finland is famous for its democratic views, given that the country allows different types of relationships, they should still be legalized. Living together in Finland is not a reason to obtain citizenship and a passport. It’s also a shame that native Finns and Finnish women rarely choose a foreigner/foreigner as a partner because they are determined to continue the purebred family. Mixed marriages between immigrants are the most common in Finland. A marriage registered abroad is allowed, but it is important that at that time one of the spouses has Finnish citizenship.

First of all, the spouse is issued a Finnish temporary resident card for a period of 3-4 years. All this time, the couple is being checked, and sometimes immigration officers may even come to visit. It is better not to ignore the laws of Finland; because of a fictitious marriage, you can even be sent to a prison cell.

To obtain citizenship with a Finnish passport, you must complete the process through Enter Finland or contact a diplomatic institution. There you need:

• submit an application with a passport and marriage certificate;
• pay the state fee in the amount of €100-200 online or through the cashier;
• then pass a language test and an oral interview;
• wait for the decision, you will receive an SMS or e-mail;
• take the oath and pick up your passport.

The decision is made within 3 or 7 months. The passport is valid for 5 years, after which it is replaced. In parallel with the recognition of a new resident, his data is entered into the VIT Population Information Center.

Through investment or for special merits

The President of Finland encourages non-residents who are ready to invest a large sum in the economy, production, government bonds, and in the construction of important facilities. But it does not offer an emigration program as such. According to the law, any entrepreneur, investor, in the process of registering his company or depositing funds, can obtain a residence permit. After two years, it must be changed to permanent residence. Then everything depends on the decision of the President of Finland, whether he will approve your citizenship or extend your permanent residence.

Also, local authorities have a special attitude towards scientists, athletes, Nobel laureates, and technological geniuses. They offer Finnish citizenship to such persons in order to increase their potential in various fields. Citizens with unique abilities can obtain a passport in the shortest possible time from 2-4 years.

Under the repatriation program

Referring to history, we can conclude that relations between Russia and Finland were not simple. In this regard, some citizens received Russian passports, others, on the contrary, Finnish ones. Today, in peacetime, it is still possible to return home, which both Russians and Finns have been doing in recent years. This issue is regulated by the Constitutions and laws “On obtaining citizenship” of both states.

The program for obtaining citizenship by roots is called repatriation. What does it give? First of all, reunite with your family, and secondly, become full citizens of your country. You can apply for citizenship to the Finnish diplomatic office at your place of residence. You will also need to collect basic documents:

1. Passport according to current citizenship.
2. Copies of other passports.
3. Photos.
4. Birth certificate.
5. Information about marital status.
6. Diploma of completion of secondary and higher education.
7. Certificate of no criminal record.
8. Bank statement.
9. Other information for citizenship.

The processing time for an application can be up to one year. The decision to obtain citizenship is influenced by the reliability of information, solvency and integrity of the applicant. A Finnish passport for a minor citizen will cost €80-100, for an adult €150-200.

Through childbirth

If the parents are foreigners, then a child born in Finland will not receive citizenship and a passport upon reaching adulthood, and with him, respectively, his mother and father. The government excludes the option of obtaining a passport and citizenship through childbirth. You can give birth in one of the best clinics, but at your own expense and without prospects. Now it has become especially popular among Russians to give birth to a child abroad; if Finland does not provide such a right, then there is the opportunity to go to the USA, Canada, Latin America, Turkey, Poland, Croatia.

For refugees

Joining the European Union obliges Finland to adhere to generally established rules, one of which is the shelter of refugees. Every year, the number of quotas for issuing citizenship is determined for them.

People who have been discriminated against in their home country based on race, gender, or persecution can apply for political asylum in Finland. To do this, you need to inform the officer of your desire at the border post or the police. The refugee will be registered and sent to a reception center where he will await further instructions. After a series of checks and interviews, the foreigner’s application for Finnish citizenship will be approved, or rejected and sent home.

Testing

Each applicant is required to take a Finnish or Swedish language test. Swedish is taken more often because it is more common. University graduates who know the language, can confirm their level with relevant documents, and refugees are exempt from the test.

Features of language check:

• mandatory 200-hour courses;
• form of verification - written, oral (you need to pass both);
• integration test - recitation of the national anthem, a story about the main constitutional provisions, traditions, etc.;
• price – 100 euros per attempt.

If you fail the test, the process of obtaining citizenship stops. The next time the attempt is repeated three months after the last unsuccessful attempt. The number of passes is generally not limited.

What documents will be required?

The list of documents when obtaining citizenship in the European Union is standard. It includes:

• internal passport of the country with copies of the main pages;
• current foreign passport and all previous foreign passports, if available;
• birth certificate;
• a certificate of good conduct;
• a document certifying the legal basis for staying in Finland;
• confirmation of the presence of a legal source of income indicating its size;
• a certificate from your tax home country confirming the absence of debts;
• medical certificate;
• police certificate;
• certificate of registration in the country;
• 4 passport photos;
• certificate of divorce, marriage.

Documents are translated into Finnish or Swedish by an accredited translator. Notarization is required.

Main document

The main identification document is a passport. We are talking about the country's internal ID as a key source of information.

It contains information about your last name, first name, patronymic, date and place of birth.

Other marks are also included there.

1. On registration and divorce.
2. About the place of registration and change of residence.
3. About having children.
4. On obtaining other documents.
5. Military duty.

Marks on the blood type and Rh factor are made at the request of the resident.

The certificate also indicates where and when it was issued and the signature of the recipient.

This is the only paper for all citizens of the country that is used more often than others.

A special procedure has been established for issuing, filling and changing. It guarantees the accuracy and authenticity of the information.

Any indications different from those indicated in the indigenous data are not taken into account.

Procedure on how to apply and receive a passport

Let's figure out how to obtain Finnish citizenship at the place of residence for a citizen of the Russian Federation. First, you need to contact the department at your place of residence with an application. Repatriates also do this at the Finnish diplomatic missions at their place of residence.

The application will be considered within 3 months or less, the obligatory fee will be 100 euros. The first passport is valid for 5 years; upon receipt of the second, you will need to swear allegiance to the Republic of Suomi.

Second and damaged passport

Since 2003, the authorities of the Republic of Finland have adopted a law allowing dual citizenship. Absolutely all countries where such a procedure is allowed are allowed. The list of states prohibiting dual residency includes Belarus, Germany and China.

Obtaining dual citizenship is possible only by agreement of both states. Otherwise, the resident will simply have two ID cards.

Since June 2021, municipal authorities and the migration service have been engaged in significant disputes with police stations. The latter urgently demand that papers confirming citizenship in other countries be confiscated.

To replace a damaged certificate, you need to submit a petition to the migration service. Within a few weeks, a new one will be made. You can get it at R-kiosks. Before this, the recipient will receive a notification via SMS or email.

The state fee will be 230 euros.

Suomi has been a leader for the last 10 years. It is second only to Sweden and Germany in first place. The passport of this state gives significant privileges in traveling around the countries of the European Union and around the world. Visa-free travel is available to 171 countries.

Denial of citizenship

The main reason for denial of citizenship is the applicant’s failure to meet the requirements. If the applicant does not agree with the refusal, he has the right to bring the case to court to reconsider the application. It is best to do this with a lawyer - this will increase the cost of the issue, but the chances of getting a positive answer will be higher. There are many decisions that are successful for appellants.

To obtain EU citizenship in Finland, you must strictly comply with the requirements and laws of the country. Becoming a full citizen is difficult because the immigration service carries out strict checks, but if you meet current requirements, it is possible. The number of people wishing to obtain a country passport increases every year.

In what cases are Finnish citizenship denied?

The proximity of neighboring countries still gives confidence to obtain citizenship and a passport without refusal, but there are always risks for unprepared persons. A negative decision is issued to Russians who have troubles with the law and do not have a permanent place of work or income. Applicants for political asylum will also be disappointed; the number of quotas and the demanding nature of the Finns will minimize the positive outcome. Therefore, consider all the ways to obtain citizenship with a passport, consult at visa centers. Assistance in obtaining citizenship will be provided by a competent lawyer or advocate, who, in case of refusal, will give recommendations on how to properly file an appeal.