The new law, which tightened the requirements for acquiring Finnish citizenship will enter into force on December 17 this year, said the Ministry of the Interior.
The President approved the amendments to the Citizenship Act on Friday.
The requirements for acquiring Finnish citizenship tightened in accordance with the programme of the four-party alliance government led by the Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP).
As per the new law, applicants for Finnish citizenship will be required to have sufficient financial resources.
People who have no income other than unemployment benefit or social assistance will no longer be eligible for Finnish citizenship.
Citizenship will not be granted, if applicants are found to depend on unemployment benefit or social assistance for more than three months over the two years prior to the application.
The law also included provision for cancellation of Finnish citizenship in case of committing offences that violate Finland's vital interests.
For example, a larger number of terrorism-related offences can lead to loss of citizenship.
People with dual citizenship may lose Finnish citizenship, if they have been imposed a sentence of at least two years for a terrorist, treason or high treason offence (currently the threshold is five years).
Citizenship also will be cancelled, if a person provides false information when applying for citizenship.
Earlier on October 15, 2025, the Parliament approved the government proposal to amend the Nationality Act further tightening the criteria for Finnish citizenship.
Earlier, in July 2024, the parliament passed the government proposal to bring legislative amendments extending the period of residence required for Finnish citizenship to eight years from the existing five years.
On June 16, 2023, leaders of the ruling parties announced the programme, which included tougher immigration, residence and citizenship laws.
The government tightened the immigration policy despite strong protest by different groups.
Separate demonstrations were held in Helsinki on June 27, 2023 and June 18,2023 protesting against the immigration policy taken by the government.
Several hundreds of people went on demonstrations in Helsinki in August, 2023 protesting against the move.
- Finnish
- Citizenship
- Tightens
- December
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
