Finland is a legal and social state with a high standard of living, favorable conditions for doing business, raising children and personal development. The country attracts Russians with a good environment, a climate similar to that of Russia, and the opportunity to obtain dual citizenship.
Pros and cons of living in Finland as a citizen
It is convenient and safe to be a citizen of Finland. The level of social protection here is one of the highest in the world. The average unemployment benefit is around a thousand euros. Prices in the country are at the level of other Scandinavian countries, but they are quite comparable with salaries.
Families are surrounded by special care of the state. There are hardly any other countries in the world where you can live peacefully without working and only raising children. Finnish education is recognized as exemplary, and schools provide an individual approach and maximum development of abilities.
You can find work in the country. Industry and construction are experiencing a shortage of qualified personnel. Required:
- Experienced drivers;
- Locksmiths-repairmen;
- Welders;
- Equipment assemblers;
- Nursing staff.
The list of blue-collar occupations is quite large, the Finns themselves and EU citizens do not apply for these jobs. In order to compete in the labor market when looking for a job in more prestigious professions, you need to know Finnish, which is difficult enough to learn.
A big advantage for Russians is Finland's proximity to Russian borders and convenient transport links. From St. Petersburg you can get to the neighboring country by train in just three hours; direct airlines connect it with Moscow, Kazan, Yekaterinburg and the capital of Ukraine. “Soft” emigration includes the ability to visit friends and family on weekends, as well as the retention of Russian citizenship.
Finland is a democratic country with a well-regulated legal system, one of the best in the world. There is no corruption, the crime rate is low, and it is not difficult to open and run a business. A Finnish passport makes it possible to travel and visit as many countries as possible without a visa.
The "Land of a Thousand Lakes", along with Ireland and Iceland, is considered the most ecologically safe on earth. State:
- Actively supports people leading a healthy lifestyle;
- Provides free medical care to its citizens;
- Carries about the reproductive health of the population and the health of children.
The immigration policy in the country is democratic and loyal, but recently it has become more stringent due to the large influx of migrants and the economic crisis.
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According to the UN, Finland is in eighth place in the ranking of the countries most adapted for life.
Who can get a Finnish passport
The procedure for obtaining citizenship is regulated by the Constitution and a special law. A person of any nationality, integrated into society, who knows the language of the country, is familiar with its traditions and culture, can achieve the goal.
Citizenship is most often granted by birth, by naturalization, by marriage (family reunification). The applicant must be an adult (over eighteen years old) who independently submitted such a request (wrote an application).
Important requirements:
- Sufficient period of stay in the country, documented;
- Good income;
- The level of language proficiency is confirmed by a special exam.
Who cannot be a citizen
First of all, these are people who are in the military service or are employees of the special services of other states, carriers of diseases that are dangerous to others (tuberculosis, HIV).
Under no circumstances will those who violate the law receive a passport:
- With a criminal record;
- Subject to criminal prosecution;
- People wanted by Interpol;
- Participants of international terrorist organizations;
- Representatives of organized criminal groups;
- Violators of migration legislation.
Finland is a member of the European Union and has quotas for refugees from the Middle East and other countries unsafe for life. Russia does not belong to such countries.
Methods for obtaining citizenship
There are several options.
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By birth or descent
If one of the parents is a Finnish citizen and the other is a Russian citizen, the child can acquire Finnish citizenship.
Adopted children under the age of twelve are automatically granted citizenship. For those who are older, it is required to write an application: they have the right to independently choose citizenship and personally confirm their choice.
Some Russian citizens get the opportunity to move to Finland under the repatriation program. To do this, you must have close relatives in the country (for example, grandmothers or great-grandmothers).
As a result of marriage
This is a common way of obtaining a residence permit in Finland and citizenship afterwards. A marriage can be contracted on a visitor visa (its duration is up to three months). During this time, it is necessary to apply for a residence permit to the police (department at the place of residence of the Finnish spouse) and then wait for a decision on the territory of the country.
After registering a marriage, two years must pass before submitting documents for a residence permit. The same amount of time is required to change from permanent resident status to citizen status. This method is considered simple and fast enough.
By naturalization
People who live in the country for a long time and legally, integrated into the Finnish society and who know the language usually resort to this method:
- First, you can enter the country with a visa issued in your country;
- Then you need to get a residence permit, find a job in a Finnish company;
- After four years of temporary residence, permanent residence is possible, after two years - citizenship. The applicant must spend half of this period in the country. Two years for permanent residence are required to be spent here in full.
Buying a property
The main requirement for obtaining a Finnish passport is financial independence. It is possible to become citizens of the country for owners of commercial and residential real estate in Finland, other European countries or Russia.
Doing business, investment
Starting a company, doing business and investing in the economy are part of the naturalization process and provide citizenship on a general basis. Citizenship for special merit is granted personally by the President.
These are:
- Significant contribution to the economy in the form of investments;
- Sports successes as part of Finnish teams;
- Cultural and social activities.
Two citizenships for Russians
Russian citizens wishing to obtain Suomi citizenship retain their Russian citizenship. This fact is recognized by both parties. A Finnish citizen remains a citizen of the Russian Federation; neither side takes into account whether he has a second passport.
A Russian should take into account the absence of the need to renounce his first citizenship.
Registration procedure
Before starting the process of obtaining citizenship, you should take care of the paperwork. These documents are approximately the same for all EU countries.
What is included in the list of documents:
- Passports (civil and foreign);
- Residence permit or other proof of residence in the country;
- Marriage (divorce) certificate;
- Documents showing financial stability;
- Evidence that the applicant has housing, in particular, rented (the contract is attached);
- Health certificate;
- Police clearance certificate;
- Four photos of a special sample;
- Certificate from the tax office;
- Additional documents related to the basis on which citizenship is granted.
All papers need an apostille (if received outside the EU) and translated into Finnish (Swedish).
Algorithm of actions
- Choose the most suitable legal method;
- Clarify the list of documents and collect them;
- Make translations, notarize, affix an apostille;
- Submit documents to the office of the migration service at the place of residence in Finland (in person or via the Internet);
- Submit documents to the diplomatic mission of Finland (in another country);
- Answer questions from representatives of the migration service, provide additional documents, replace those that do not meet legal requirements;
- Get a solution;
- Take the oath of allegiance to the Republic;
- Write a statement to the local police station and get your passport.
Cost and terms
In order for the official structures to accept the application for citizenship for consideration, it is necessary to pay the amount established by law.
State fees are fixed. You need to pay for working with an application in paper format 440 euros... If the application is submitted electronically, it is sufficient 350... You will have to pay for the passport itself 44 (48) euros.
Consideration of an application usually lasts from three months to a year; according to the law, it can be extended for any period.
Reasons for refusals
The most common ones are:
- Failure to comply with the terms of residence established by legislative acts;
- Material insolvency (income level is below the minimum allowable);
- The information about the applicant does not correspond to reality (it is especially dangerous to hide the facts of a criminal record);
- Document forgery is considered fraudulent and may lead to deportation or legal proceedings.
If, in response to an application for citizenship, an official letter with a refusal is received, the situation needs to be dealt with. Perhaps the reason lies in the incorrect execution of documents, incorrectness or lack of information. All these inaccuracies will have to be corrected upon re-submission of the application and upon re-interviews with government agencies.
If the reason for the refusal, in the applicant's opinion, is related to a violation of the law, the results of the application for Finnish citizenship may be challenged in court.
The history of relations between Russia and Finland is rather complicated, like that of all peoples who have lived side by side for a long time. Nevertheless, among the foreigners who permanently live in Suomi, Russians make up the majority. It is a long-term residence of up to eight years and integration into Finnish society that helps them eventually obtain citizenship.
