Skip to Content

Brexit permits

The United Kingdom has left the European Union. The application period for a right of residence under the withdrawal agreement, referred to as a ‘Brexit permit’, ended on 30 September 2021. A British citizen who resides permanently in Finland must hold either a Brexit permit granted under the withdrawal agreement or a residence permit. Brexit permits are valid until further notice. However, the Brexit residence permit cards are only valid for 5 years at a time. 

The following permits count as Brexit permits:

  • right of residence under the withdrawal agreement
  • right of permanent residence under the withdrawal agreement
  • change of status to right of permanent residence under the withdrawal agreement.

The following permits count as Brexit permits for family members of British citizens:

  • right of residence under the withdrawal agreement for a family member of a British citizen
  • right of permanent residence under the withdrawal agreement for a family member of a British citizen
  • change of status to right of permanent residence under the withdrawal agreement for a family member of a British citizen.

If you are staying in Finland without a right of residence, you do not have the right to work or study. You may be punished with a fine or even be removed from the country.  

If your Brexit residence permit card is about to expire

When you were granted a Brexit permit, you were issued with a Brexit residence permit card. The Brexit residence permit cards are valid for 5 years at a time, after which they must be renewed.

  • If you have a right of permanent residence under the withdrawal agreement and your card is about to expire, apply for a new Brexit residence permit card.
    • You have the right of permanent residence under the withdrawal agreement if your Brexit residence permit card contains the reference ‘P SEU-sopimuksen 50 artikla’ or ‘P artikel 50 i EU-fördraget’.
  • If you have a right of residence under the withdrawal agreement (but not yet the right of permanent residence) and your card is about to expire, apply for a permanent Brexit permit. You will get a new card when you are granted the right of permanent residence.
    • You have a right of residence under the withdrawal agreement if your Brexit residence permit card contains the reference ‘SEU-sopimuksen 50 artikla’ or ‘artikel 50 i EU-fördraget’.

Family members who move to Finland may apply for Brexit permits 

The spouse or partner of a British citizen who lives in Finland may come to Finland and apply for a Brexit permit if:

  • the family member who lives in Finland has a Brexit permit and 
  • your family was formed before 1 January 2021. 

Your children may come to Finland at any point and apply for a Brexit permit. The children may have been born or legally adopted before or after 1 January 2021.

Apply for a Brexit permit within 3 months of arriving in Finland.

British citizens who move to Finland for the first time

You must apply for a residence permit if you are about to move to Finland and have not lived in Finland before. You can apply for a Brexit permit only if you have lived in Finland before 1 January 2021.

The Application Finder helps you find the right residence permit application.

Prior residence but no Brexit permit

If you have lived in Finland prior to 1 January 2021 but did not apply for a Brexit permit by 30 September 2021, you may still apply for a Brexit permit. If this is the first time you are applying for a Brexit permit, you must explain in your application why you are applying for the permit late.

  • When you fill in the field ‘Additional information’ in the application form, explain why you did not apply for a Brexit permit by 30 September 2021. 
  • Add possible documents on why you have reasonable grounds for applying late. 

If you are unsure about which of the options listed above is the right one for you, use the Application Finder on our website. Even if you submit your application for a Brexit permit late, your right to work or study will continue while your application is being processed. 

You must apply for a first residence permit if you do not have grounds for a late application

You can apply for a first residence permit on the basis of family ties, studies or work, for example. The Application Finder will help you choose the right application. 

A first residence permit is issued according to national law, which means that when you apply for a residence permit you will not be granted a right of residence under the withdrawal agreement.

Brexit residence permit card

You have received a residence permit card if you have been granted the right of residence under the withdrawal agreement or the right of permanent residence under the withdrawal agreement. It shows your right of residence in Finland. The residence permit card will be valid for up to five years. This means that the residence permit card needs to be renewed every five years.

Read more on the page Renewal of Brexit residence permit card.

Right to work in Finland 

You have an unrestricted right to work in Finland if you hold a Brexit permit. An unrestricted right to work means that you may work in any sector.

If you have not applied for a right of residence under the withdrawal agreement, your right to work has ended on 1 October 2021. 

  • However, if you have submitted your application after 30 September 2021, your right to work or study will continue while the application is being processed.
  • In addition, you have the right to work if you perform tasks that allow you to work without a residence permit. 

Frequently Asked Questions