Entry conditions

We recommend that you to start the application process at least 2-3 months before you plan to travel to Finland. Processing times for different applications vary. You should be aware that the process cannot be started until the Embassy or Consulate has received all the required paperwork.

Residence permits can be granted to family members on the condition that the main applicant has a guaranteed income from sources other than state benefits. Notice that the definition of family member in Finnish legislation may be narrower than in other countries.

If you wish to bring your spouse/partner and family to Finland, it is recommended to submit all the applications at the same time. If the spouse/partner and family members submit their applications later, the processing times are substantially longer. If you will relocate with family, you can find information on residence permits for family members on the Finnish immigration services website. 

In order to register your family members with the Finnish authorities, you will need to provide officially translated and apostilled documents. The minimum requirement to start the registration process is your marriage certificate and birth certificates for children.

Registration of EU citizens’ and family members’ residence cards

The family members of Finnish citizens and of non-EU (third country) citizens and comparable persons are:

• spouse
• registered partner
• cohabiting partner
• guardian of a child under 18 years of age
• child

A broader definition is applicable for family members of EU citizens.

With regard to the definition of a family member, the family members of Finnish citizens have the same status as family members of citizens of third countries. The broader definition for EU citizens is not applicable in this case.

Please bring the following documents with you:   

• your valid passport or EU citizen's official identity card with a photograph   
• your residence permit card or some other proof that you have entered Finland legally   
• a certificate of registration of the right of residence of an EU citizen 
• proof of your work or studies in Finland (for example, an employment contract or a certificate of student status)   

 If you arrive with family:   

• Registration of marriage or registered partnership (must be legalized)  
• Registration of a child (must be legalized)  

If necessary, the original, legalized and translated certificates of family relations and other official documents containing information that you would like the Digital and Population Data Services Agency to record in the Population Information System. Remember to check if the certificates must be legalised and/or translated.  Bring your marriage certificate and your children’s birth certificates (apostilled documents). It’s important that you bring original versions of your documents. No matter how insignificant a document may seem, bring it along; you never know when you might need it.

In Finland it is often required that copies of documents concerning your work experience, such as letters of reference and degree diplomas, are authenticated. This means you will need to show the originals either to a public official who can authenticate them, or to two people (e.g. colleagues) who will sign and authenticate the copies (after checking the originals).

If you are planning to bring your car or pets to Finland, contact the Finnish Customs to check the required formalities.