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The right of family members of an EU citizen to reside in Finland

Family members

Family members of an EU citizen or an equivalent person include the following:

• child who is under 21 years of age or dependent on the care of his or her parents
• spouse, cohabitant or registered partner
• parents, who are dependent on him or her
• children of his or her spouse, if they are under 21 years of age or dependent on the parent
• parents of the spouse who are dependent on the child
• guardian, if a person living in Finland is under 18 years of age.

Even other relatives are comparable with family members of an EU citizen:

• if he or she has in the country of origin been in the custody of an EU citizen or lived with him or her in the same household, or
• if serious health reasons absolutely require that the EU citizen in question personally takes care of him or her. 

A family member is granted a right to reside in Finland if the EU citizen meets the requirements for residence in the country. Furthermore, it is required that the family member has sufficient means of support for the period of residence and the required health insurance.

A relative other than a family member can be granted a right to reside in Finland if refusing the right of residence would be unreasonable on the grounds that the persons involved are intending to continue their earlier close family life in Finland. A right to reside in Finland can also be granted another relative who is completely dependent on the family member living in Finland.

How to apply for a residence permit?

Those family members and other relatives, who are themselves EU citizens or equivalent persons, must register their right to reside after staying three months in Finland. The police are responsible for registering the right of residence. Nordic citizens are registered at a Register Office if they stay in Finland longer than six (6) months.

Those family members and other relatives, who are not themselves EU citizens or equivalent persons, are granted a residence card for family members. Residence cards are issued by the police.

How long is the right to reside in Finland valid?

A residence card is usually granted for five years. The registration of the right to reside in Finland is valid until further notice.

Are family members allowed to work in Finland?

Family members and other relatives can freely work in Finland once they have received a residence card or registered their right to reside in Finland. They are not required to acquire a separate residence permit for an employed person.

Further information

Police departments

The local register offices

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