Frequently asked questions
How long does my Finnish passport need to valid when travelling to UK?
The current requirement is that your Finnish passport or ID card is valid for the duration of your stay in the UK - no need for your passport to be valid three or six months after your return. Finnish passport holders do not need a visa to travel to UK. More information about entering UK can be found here: Gov.uk: entering the UK (linkki toiselle sivustolle)(Link to another website.).
As from 1st January 2021 EU nationals can stay in the UK for six months without a visa. ID cards can no longer be used from 1st October 2021; passport is needed unless you have a registered pre-settled or settled status or if you work for the border control in which case the ID cards will be valid at least until 31st December 2025. You can find more information about travelling to UK after 1st January 2021 from here: Visiting the UK from 1 January 2021 (linkki toiselle sivustolle)(Link to another website.).
Before you travel abroad do check that your passport is valid , you have a comprehensive travel insurance and you have registered your travel plans with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. More information can be found here: Ulkoministeriö: matkustaminen (linkki toiselle sivustolle)(Link to another website.).
I want to get married in Finland. What paperwork do I need?
Firstly, decide where you wish to get married. Then contact a reverend of that church or, if getting married in a civil ceremony, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto(Link to another website.)). The authorities will advise you what you need in order to marry, normally at least a certificate of non-impediment from the country of residence must be provided.
If you need your certificates issued by the British authorities to be legalised (‘Apostille Certificate’), you can do this at the Legalisation Office. Information on how to get your document legalised(Link to another website.).
I am a UK citizen. How long does my passport have to be valid for when travelling to Finland?
Your British passport must be valid for three months after you leave Finland or the Schengen Area. Your passport must have been issued within the last ten years. However, these time limits do not apply if you have a residence permit in Finland. In this case, it is enough if your passport and residence permit are valid. More information: Finnish Border Guard - Passports and other travel documents(Link to another website.)
I am travelling to Finland/United Kingdom with my minor children without the other parent/legal guardian. / My minor children are travelling unaccompanied. Do they need a parental consent for the trip?
When minor children travel abroad without a parent or legal guardian, it is advisable that they hold a written parental consent for the travel to be presented, if required, to the authorities in the country of destination.
More information:
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland(Link to another website.)
Children travelling to the UK(Link to another website.)
My pet is travelling to Finland. What do I need to do?
The import and export of animals abroad differ based on the animal and country of origin. When travelling with a pet you are responsible for checking the travel restrictions.
The Finnish Food Safety Authority gives information on the restrictions relating to animal health and welfare in Finland as well as the import and export of animals: the Finnish Food Safety Authority(Link to another website.).
The guidance on bringing your pet to the UK can be found of the UK government website: Bring a pet to UK.(Link to another website.)
Driving Licences
ls my foreign driving licence valid in Finland?
Please check the information from the website of Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom: Validity of foreign driving licences in Finland.(Link to another website.)
Can I use my Finnish driving licence in the UK?
For information on the validity of foreign driving licences in the UK, contact the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency): Gov.uk: Driving in the UK and abroad(Link to another website.) and Gov.uk: Contact the DVLA(Link to another website.).
Check the validity of your insurance and the necessary documents before you travel. If you plan to rent a car in the UK, you should also contact the rental company directly. Car rental companies may have more comprehensive driving licence restrictions or age limits, for example.
More information on the use of foreign driving licences in the UK and the vehicle insurance requirements: Guidance – Visiting the UK after Brexit: Driving in the UK(Link to another website.) (gov.uk).
I am a Finnish citizen, but I have a UK driving licence. Can I exchange my UK licence for a Finnish one when I move back to Finland?
For information on the validity of foreign driving licences in Finland and on exchanging a foreign licence for a Finnish one, visit the Traficom website: Traficom: Validity of foreign driving licences in Finland(Link to another website.) and Traficom: Exchanging a foreign driving licence for a Finnish licence(Link to another website.).
Citizenship
I am a Finnish citizen who has been residing permanently in the UK for many years. Can I get UK citizenship?
For information on the requirements for acquiring UK citizenship and the application process, please contact the UK authorities. More information: Gov.uk: Become a British citizen(Link to another website.).
Will I lose my Finnish citizenship if I get UK citizenship?
No, you will not lose your Finnish citizenship. The Finnish Nationality Act allows dual and multiple citizenship. A new Nationality Act with less stringent requirements for dual citizenship entered into force on 1 June 2003.
However, it is important to remember that a Finnish citizen who also holds the citizenship of a foreign state can lose their Finnish citizenship automatically at the age of 22 years if the individual does not have a sufficient connection to Finland. An individual can retain their Finnish citizenship if they are deemed to have a sufficient connection to Finland. A sufficient connection to Finland can be demonstrated by e.g. applying for a passport or providing notice in writing of their wish to retain their Finnish citizenship.
Maintaining accurate citizenship information in the population register is the responsibility of the individual, and changes in citizenship information must be registered in the population register.
See the Finnish Immigration Service for more information: Permits and citizenship(Link to another website.).
I have received UK citizenship, what should I do?
If you are a Finnish citizen, you have the obligation to notify the Finnish Population Information System of the foreign citizenship you have received. The Digital and Population Data Services Agency will record your citizenship in the Population Information System based on a valid passport and the original decision on naturalisation or some other reliable evidence.
British citizenship can be registered to the Finnish population register by submitting the following documents:
- Cover letter explaining when and how the citizenship was acquired. Please also include your contact details (name, phone number, email address and postal address).
- British passport, if applicable.
- Original decision on naturalization. Certificates issued by British authorities must be legalised (Apostille certificate). Information on how to get your document legalised(Link to another website.). Digital and Population Data Services Agency accepts the original decision without legalisations if a British passport is also presented.
If you submit the documents by mail to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency, deliver them as legalized copies following the instructions on the website of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency(Link to another website.). Certified copies are not returned. If you deliver original documents to DVV, they will be returned to you as ordinary mail (not registered mail) under your responsibility.
If the registration documents are submitted via the Consular Section of the Finnish Embassy in London, there will be a fee of 30 euros according to an act by the Ministry of Foreign affairs.
I have lost my Finnish citizenship. Can I get my Finnish citizenship back?
Yes. If you are a former Finnish citizen, you can acquire Finnish citizenship by declaration. An underage child in your custody will also receive Finnish citizenship if they are included as a co-applicant in your declaration.
However, it is not possible to acquire citizenship by declaration based only on the fact that you are a descendant of a former Finnish citizen. If you would like to find out whether you are a current or former Finnish citizen, you can ask the Finnish Immigration Service to determine your citizenship status.
See the Finnish Immigration Service for more information: Permits and citizenship(Link to another website.).
I have some Finnish family ties; how can I find out if I am a Finnish citizen and eligible to apply for a passport?
All Finnish citizens are registered in the Population Register in Finland. Before applying for a passport, you must establish that you are a Finnish citizen and as a dual (or multi) national have also retained your Finnish citizenship.
If you are uncertain if you have received the citizenship from birth through your parents and if you have been registered, you can check this information from the Finnish Digital and Population Data Services Agency.(Link to another website.)
The best way to officially determine your Finnish citizenship status is to complete a form KAN_9 (Request to determine citizenship status) with the Finnish Immigration Service.
More information:
Determining your citizenship(Link to another website.)
Retaining your Finnish citizenship at the age of 22(Link to another website.)
Former citizen of Finland(Link to another website.)
I am a Finnish citizen who has lived for X years in the UK. I would like to move back to Finland. What do I have to do?
A Finnish citizen who has lived abroad can return freely to their home country. Upon returning to Finland, you must submit a notification of move to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. Kela will decide at what point you will be covered by the Finnish social security system after your return.
More information:
The Digital and Population Data Services Agency: Notification of move(Link to another website.)
Kela: International situations(Link to another website.)
I am a UK citizen. Can I get Finnish citizenship?
Finnish citizenship can generally be acquired based on birth, by either declaration or application. More information about registering a child born abroad and making a declaration of citizenship is available on the Finnish Embassy’s website: Citizenship. For information on applying for citizenship, visit the website of the Finnish Immigration Service: Finnish citizenship(Link to another website.).
Where can I get a Police clearance certificate from my time living in Finland?
If you need a Police clearance certificate from Finland, you can order a criminal record extract from the Legal Register Centre (Oikeusrekisterikeskus): Legal Register Centre(Link to another website.).
In the UK, a similar criminal record extract can be ordered from the local Police: Police Certificate(Link to another website.).
Where can I find the guidance and restrictions for travelling with prescription medicine?
Medicines should always be kept in original packaging with labels and they should be packed in hand luggage together with prescription documents. Remember to also carefully check possible restrictions of the country you are travelling to.
More information:
Fimea: Travellers medicines(Link to another website.)
Kela: Travelling with medication(Link to another website.)
UK Gov: Travelling with controlled drugs(Link to another website.)