Number of citizenship applications grew considerably at the beginning of the year

Between January and June, a total of 6,103 persons applied for Finnish citizenship. The number of applications was 40 % higher than in the first half of 2013 when 4,340 persons applied for citizenship.

The Finnish Immigration Service reduced the processing fees for the citizenship applications at the beginning of the year, which has most likely contributed to the rise in the number of citizenship applications.

Russians, who submitted 1,227 citizenship applications, constituted the largest group of applicants (Jan–June 2013: 1,014). The second highest number of citizenship applications, 1,162, was submitted by Somalis (Jan–June 2013: 557) and the third highest number, 603, by Iraqis (Jan–June 2013: 315).

Almost 4,000 applicants were granted citizenship

In the first half of the year, 3,931 persons were granted Finnish citizenship. The number was slightly lower than in the first half of 2013 when 4,202 persons were granted Finnish citizenship.

In total, 3,604 persons (92 %) acquired citizenship on application and 372 persons by declaration.

It is possible to apply for Finnish citizenship by submitting an application or a declaration. Certain groups may acquire Finnish citizenship by declaration. These include former Finnish citizens, persons aged between 18 and 22 who have lived a large part of their youth in Finland and children born out of wedlock to a Finnish father.

The total number of decisions made on citizenship applications and declarations was 4,505, and 87 % of the decisions were positive.

Processing times for citizenship applications became shorter

Between January and June 2014, the average processing time for a citizenship application was 217 days. At the beginning of 2013, the average processing time was 351 days.

In May 2013, some of the tasks related to the processing of applications were transferred from the police to the Finnish Immigration Service. This has contributed to shorter processing times, as applications arrive faster at the Finnish Immigration Service.

A more detailed report available online

A more detailed report on citizenship matters between January and June 2014 can be found on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service www.migri.fi under Quick links > Statistics > Statistics on citizenship.

Further information for the media

Raili Rousti-Jaskari, Head of Section, Nationality Unit, tel. 0295 430 431, e-mail: firstname.lastname@migri.fi

*Clarification on the press release. In total, 6,103 persons applied for citizenship by submitting a citizenship application. It is also possible to make a declaration in order to acquire Finnish citizenship. At the beginning of the year, 373 persons made a citizenship declaration. The total number of applicants who applied for citizenship at the beginning of 2014 was 6,476. The figure from 2013 (4,340) refers only to applicants who applied for citizenship by submitting a citizenship application. The number of citizenship declarations in 2013 was 466.