Finland is poised to implement stricter rules for obtaining and retaining citizenship, following a government proposal submitted to Parliament on Thursday. The proposed amendments aim to raise the eligibility threshold by introducing more rigorous requirements concerning identity verification, financial self-sufficiency, and criminal background checks. These changes are intended to ensure that applicants meet higher standards of integration and responsibility. If approved, the new legislation is scheduled to take effect on 1 October 2025.
Finland Moves to Tighten Citizenship Rules Amid National Security and Integration Concerns
Interior Minister Mari Rantanen has emphasized that Finnish citizenship must reflect successful integration and adherence to national laws, as the government pushes forward with a sweeping set of reforms to the Citizenship Act. “Finnish citizenship is not something that can be granted automatically. It requires successful integration, work, and compliance with the rules of Finnish society,” Rantanen stated. The proposed changes will introduce stricter criteria for acquiring and retaining citizenship. Applicants will be required to demonstrate sufficient financial resources beyond unemployment benefits or social assistance, reinforcing a link between economic self-sufficiency and societal integration. Stricter identity verification will also be enforced. Authorities will demand national passports from individuals reasonably expected to possess them, targeting cases where applicants lack credible documentation and their identity remains uncertain.
In addition, the integrity requirement will be revised. Criminal offenses will carry greater weight in citizenship decisions, and national security concerns will become a more decisive factor during application assessments. The legislative changes follow Parliament’s July 2024 decision to extend the required residency period from five to eight years. The government now also aims to broaden the grounds for revoking Finnish citizenship. Individuals who submit false information or commit serious crimes against Finland’s national interests may face revocation more frequently. A key amendment lowers the sentencing threshold for revoking citizenship in dual nationals convicted of terrorism, treason, or high treason—from five years to a minimum of two years’ imprisonment. These reforms stem from the government programme announced by the ruling coalition on 16 June 2023, which pledged a more rigorous approach to immigration, residence, and citizenship. Despite public demonstrations in Helsinki during June and August 2023 opposing the policy direction, the National Coalition Party-led government has continued to advance its legislative agenda.
The proposed changes are part of a broader effort to align Finland’s citizenship framework with national security priorities and public expectations, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to integration and legal status.
