The Finnish Nationality Act will change on 1 September 2011. Under the new act, a former Finnish citizen may be granted citizenship by declaration irrespective of whether he or she lives in Finland or abroad.
Please do not submit citizenship declarations before September, as the new act will not apply to citizenship declarations received before 1.9.2011 and the decision is likely to be negative. If this is the case, you will have to make a new citizenship declaration once the new act is in force.
Easier to have Finnish citizenship restored
Under the new Nationality Act, former Finnish citizenship is the only requirement for regaining Finnish citizenship by declaration.
However, the declaration option does not apply to people who originally lost their Finnish citizenship due to annulment of paternity. The declaration option also does not apply to people who originally lost their Finnish citizenship because they provided incorrect information to the authorities or concealed information when applying. If you are in this position, you can apply to have your citizenship restored by application.
The declaration process does not affect the descendants of former Finnish citizens who are of age.
We will provide more information about the changes in the new Nationality Act on this website in August.
8.7.2011
