Permanent residence permits
The following permits are permanent residence permits:
You can apply for a permanent residence permit or a P-EU permit when you meet the requirements for the permit.
Permanent residence permits and P-EU permits are valid until further notice. In other words, their period of validity is not limited. Even if your permit is valid until further notice, you must renew your residence permit card every 5 years.
The requirements for permanent residence permits have changed on 8 January 2026
The requirements for permanent residence permits changed on 8 January 2026 when the amendments to the Aliens Act entered into force.
If you apply for a permanent residence permit on or after 8 January 2026, you can apply for a permanent residence permit on different application paths, with different requirements for each path.
If you have submitted your application before 8 January 2026, the amendments will not affect your application. For more information on the amendments, see the page Amendments to Aliens Act regarding permanent residence permits.
Before you apply, please make sure that you meet the requirements for a permanent residence permit or P-EU permit. If possible, apply for the residence permit in the Enter Finland online service. The online service will guide you to the right application path.
What is the difference between a permanent residence permit and a P-EU permit?
A permanent residence permit is a residence permit that is valid until further notice and is based on Finland’s national legislation. The P-EU permit is similar to the permanent residence permit, but it is based on a directive of the European Union. The purpose of a P-EU permit is to simplify moving between EU Member States. With a P-EU permit, it will be easier for you to move to another EU Member State.
The most important differences between a permanent residence permit and a P-EU permit are the requirements that must be met before you can be granted a permit. The requirements for your period of residence and income, for example, are different. The P-EU permit always requires sufficient financial resources.
As of 8 January 2026, the permanent residence permit has new requirements: a work history requirement and a language skills requirement. The language skills requirement is also a new requirement for a P-EU permit, but the required level of language skills differs from the level required for a permanent residence permit. The P-EU permit does not have a work history requirement. For more information, see the pages Work history requirement and Language skills requirement.
For children under 18 years of age, the requirements for a permanent residence permit and the requirements for a P-EU permit are different, too.
- If you apply for a permanent residence permit for a child on or after 8 January 2026, the child may be granted a permanent residence permit without the required period of residence if his or her parent or guardian has a permanent residence permit, P-EU permit or Finnish citizenship. For more information, see the page Permanent residence permit for a child.
- If you apply for a P-EU permit for a child, he or she must have resided in Finland legally for at least 5 years.
For more information on requirements concerning children, see the pages Permanent residence permit for a child and P-EU permit.
Applications can only be submitted in Finland
You cannot apply for a permanent residence permit or a P-EU permit outside Finland. If you submit your application outside Finland, we will process it as an application for a first residence permit.
Once you have applied for a permanent residence permit or a P-EU permit, wait in Finland for the decision to be issued. If you travel abroad and your current residence permit expires while we still process your application for a permanent residence permit or for a P-EU permit, you may not necessarily be able to return to Finland.
You will find the expected processing times on the page Processing times.
Your residence permit card is valid for 5 years
Even if you hold a permanent residence permit or a P-EU permit, your residence permit card is only valid for 5 years at a time. The card must be renewed every 5 years because the chip of the card contains your biometric identifiers, meaning your facial image, fingerprints and signature. When your residence permit card is about to expire, you do not need to apply for a new residence permit. Apply for a new residence permit card instead. For more information, see the page Renewal of residence permit card.
Right to work
Your right to work during the processing of your application depends on the grounds on which your previous residence permit or right of residence in Finland was granted.
You have a residence permit for an employed person (the ‘TTOL’ permit) and you still work for the same employer or in the same field of work.
Your right to work is based on another residence permit, such as a residence permit on the basis of family ties or studies.
You reside in Finland with a residence card for a family member of an EU citizen or with a right of residence under the withdrawal agreement (Brexit permit).
You cannot continue working if you have been living in Finland with a residence permit but you apply for the permanent residence permit or P-EU permit after your residence permit has already expired. Read more on the page Right to work while your application for an extended permit is being processed.
After you get a permanent residence permit or an EU residence permit, you have an unrestricted right to work. However, your right to work is only valid in Finland. As a holder of an EU residence permit, you may only work in the EU Member State that has granted the permit to you.
Make sure that you meet the general requirements for entry into Finland
Make sure you meet the general requirements for entry into Finland before you submit an application.
- When you apply for a residence permit, you must usually have a valid national passport.
- If you have been granted an alien’s passport for the purpose of obtaining a national passport, obtain a national passport as soon as possible.
- If you have received international protection, you do not need to have a valid national passport. Make sure that your alien’s passport or refugee travel document is valid.
For more information, see the page Passports and other travel documents.