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Income requirement for permanent residence permits

Usually, granting a residence permit requires that you have sufficient financial resources. In other words, you and your family members must have enough money for living in Finland.

You can prove that you meet the requirement for sufficient financial resources, for example, by submitting evidence of your salary or the salary of your family member living in Finland, income from business activities, pension income or other income. We will also take into account some of the benefits paid by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela). These include, for example, child benefit, housing allowance, disability allowances and child maintenance allowance. However, your financial resources cannot be based on social assistance, labour market subsidy or basic unemployment allowance.

Income requirement when you apply for a permanent residence permit

You must meet the requirements for a continuous residence permit (A permit) in order to be granted a permanent residence permit. In your application, choose the grounds for the residence permit on the basis of which you are applying for a permanent residence permit. The income requirement is determined according to the income requirement connected with the continuous residence permit on the basis of which you are applying for a permanent residence permit. Issuing a continuous residence permit on certain grounds does not require that the applicant has sufficient financial resources. For more information, see the page Income requirement. 

See the income requirement for a continuous residence permit (A permit) on different grounds.

If you are applying for a permanent residence permit for a child under 18 years of age

In some situations, obtaining a permanent residence permit does not require the child to meet the requirements for a continuous residence permit (A permit). The income requirement depends on the grounds for the continuous residence permit (A permit) on the basis of which the child would be granted a fixed-term residence permit.

If the child is required to have sufficient financial resources in order to be granted a continuous residence permit, sufficient financial resources are also required when a permanent residence permit is applied for the child. On the other hand, if issuing a continuous residence permit to the child does not require that the child has sufficient financial resources, it is also not required if a permanent residence permit is applied for the child. 

  • See the page Income requirement for information on cases in which sufficient financial resources are not required. 

You can prove that the child meets the requirement for sufficient financial resources by submitting evidence of, for example, the salary or income from business activities that the parent or guardian living in Finland receives.  

If you are applying for a permanent residence permit for yourself or for your child, we can make an exception to the income requirement only if there are exceptionally serious grounds for it or if a derogation is in the best interest of the child. If you request an exception to the income requirement, submit documents stating why we should make an exception in your case. 

Income requirement when you apply for a P-EU permit

Obtaining a P-EU residence permit always requires that you and your family members have sufficient financial resources. There can be no exceptions to the income requirement under any circumstances.  

When we assess your income, the grounds for your earlier residence permit or right of residence in Finland are not relevant. Family members of Finnish citizens and applicants receiving international protection, for instance, are also required to have sufficient financial resources.

The required sum depends on your place of residence and on how many people live in your household. For approximate minimum levels of income in euros, see the page Income requirement. If you have family members in Finland, see the minimum levels of income on the page Income requirement for family members of a person who has been granted a residence permit in Finland. 

The application form states what documents you must submit as proof of your income and financial resources

If the requirement for sufficient financial resources applies to you, submit evidence of your financial resources. The application form states what documents you must submit as proof of your income and financial resources. What documents you must provide depends on how you will secure sufficient financial resources for yourself in Finland. 

If we need further information or documents from you, we will send you a request for additional information.

P-EU permit issued by another EU country

If you have a long-term resident’s EU residence permit (P-EU) issued by another EU country, you can move freely within the territory of the Schengen countries and reside in these countries for a maximum of 90 days in total. Your family members are allowed to accompany you if the family ties were established in the country that has issued you the P-EU permit.

If you intend to stay in Finland for longer than 90 days, you need to apply for a residence permit in Finland or in the EU Member State that has issued you a long-term resident’s EU residence permit (P-EU). Submit the application as soon as possible after your arrival in the country, and within 90 days at the latest.

You can be issued a residence permit in Finland for work, studies or pursuing a trade, or on some other grounds. A residence permit is granted for a fixed term, either temporary or continuous, depending on the nature of your residence.

Choose the application form according to the basis on which you are applying for a residence permit. Instructions for filling in the form and information on the necessary attachments are printed on the application form.

In Finland, submit your application at a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service. If you are residing outside Finland, submit your application to a Finnish mission in the country that has issued you your P-EU permit.