Ministry of the Interior informs
New Nationality Act comes into force on 1 June 2003.
15 May 2003
The Government today, on 15 May, decided to propose that the President of the Republic approve the new Nationality Bill. The aim is that the Nationality Act will come into force on 1 June 2003. The English translation of the Act will be available in June.
The most important change will be that dual (multiple) citizenship will become acceptable. Finnish citizens will no longer lose their Finnish citizenship when they assume another citizenship. Similarly, foreign citizens who are granted Finnish citizenship will not need to give up their present citizenship.
Dual citizenship can only be acquired in accordance with the laws of the other state in question
The laws in the other state in question must permit dual (multiple) citizenship before the acquisition of a second (additional) citizenship. Finnish citizens may retain their Finnish citizenship if the state whose citizenship they have assumed permits that.
In the same way, foreign citizens who are granted Finnish citizenship may retain their present citizenship if that state allows it. In order not to lose citizenship unintentionally, when applying for a new citizenship a person should find out in advance if the state concerned permits dual citizenship.
Applying for Finnish citizenship
Applications for Finnish citizenship must be made by using a form for that purpose. Furthermore, applications must be submitted in person to the District Police within whose area of jurisdiction the applicant’s home municipality is located.
Regaining Finnish citizenship
After the new Act has come into force, former Finnish citizens may regain Finnish citizenship upon declaration of their desire to do so. Declarations must be submitted in person to the District Police within whose area of jurisdiction the applicant’s home municipality is located. The Directorate of Immigration decides on the matter. The fee for a declaration is to be confirmed on a later date. A declaration must be made within five years of the new Act’s entry into force.
Declarations made abroad must be submitted to a Finnish diplomatic mission, consulate or honorary consulate. Declarations can also be sent by post. Such a procedure is primarily meant for Finnish citizens living abroad who cannot pay a personal visit to a diplomatic mission, consulate or honorary consulate owing to long distances or whose country of residence does not have such an office.
Making a declaration
Application and declaration forms and further information on the relevant procedures are available on the website of the Directorate of Immigration at www.uvi.fi. At present, it is impossible to give an estimate of the time needed to process applications and declarations.
Declarations made by former Finnish citizens can be processed faster if data on the person concerned is registered in the Finnish Population Information System. Those interested may check the information held on them by contacting the Registry Office of their current/most recent home municipality in Finland. The Helsinki Registry Office can provide information to those unsure about their home municipality.
Contact information for Registry Offices is available at www.maistraatti.fi.
For more information, please contact Director-General Mr Pentti Visanen, tel. +358 9 160 4 2700.