I’ve heard that the Aliens Act is going to be amended in 2026 concerning permanent residence permits. What will the proposed amendments mean?
The Government submitted a proposal to the Parliament in June 2025 regarding obtaining a permanent residence permit and a long-term resident's EU residence permit (P-EU permit).
The period of residence required for a permanent residence permit would increase from 4 years to 6 years. In some cases, a permanent residence permit could be obtained already after 4 years of residence. A long-term resident’s EU residence permit (P-EU permit) could still be obtained after 5 years of residence.
The requirements for obtaining a permanent residence permit would also include requirements concerning work history and sufficient Finnish or Swedish language skills. A new requirement for obtaining a P-EU residence permit would be language skills in Finnish or Swedish.
It is also proposed that an unconditional sentence of imprisonment would in future interrupt a continuous period of residence when applying for a permanent residence permit or a P-EU residence permit.
The proposed amendments are scheduled to enter into force approximately on 8 January 2026. The Ministry of the Interior is responsible for the preparation of the Act. The final content of the amendments is not yet known. Read more about the amendments and follow the preparation of the Act on the website of the Ministry of the Interior (intermin.fi).
Would the amendment also have an effect on how a child can obtain a permanent residence permit?
The proposal suggests that a minor could in future obtain a permanent residence permit if his or her parent has one of the following:
- a permanent residence permit
- a P-EU permit, or
- Finnish citizenship.
In this case, a specific period of residence in Finland would not be required of a child.
If a child does not have a parent or guardian in Finland, or if the person who has custody of the child is an EU citizen’s family member who has retained his or her right of residence, the child could obtain a permanent residence permit after 4 years of residence.
The new requirements regarding Finnish or Swedish language skills and work history would not apply to a minor.
If I submit my application before the amendments enter into force, will the proposed amendments affect my application?
No, they will not affect your application. The restrictions are still under preparation and do not yet affect applying for a permanent residence permit or a P-EU permit.
Apply for a permanent residence permit only when you meet all the requirements currently in force for obtaining a residence permit. See the page Permanent residence permit for information on the current requirements for obtaining a permanent residence permit and a P-EU residence permit.
Read more about the content of the amendments and follow the preparation of the Act on the website of the Ministry of the Interior (intermin.fi).
