Finland extends residency requirement for citizenship to emphasize integration

As of October 1, 2024, Finland will extend the period of residence required for acquiring citizenship from the current standard to eight years, with a focus on promoting successful integration. The new legislation, which applies to all citizenship applications submitted on or after that date, seeks to make language proficiency and long-term residency key factors in the naturalization process.

For applicants who meet the language proficiency requirement, the residency period will be reduced to five years,