Family reunification in Finland

A child can get a permit if a guardian holds a Finnish residence permit, is a Finnish citizen or is married to one; the child must be under 18 and unmarried when the application is made. If the child has two guardians and one stays behind, that guardian must give consent certified by a notary. A guardian of a minor child living in Finland can also get a permit; the child must remain under 18 and unmarried during the permit.

Other relatives, for example the parents of an adult, qualify only in narrow cases: if they are completely dependent on the family member in Finland, or for relatives of Finnish citizens and of people granted international protection under specific conditions. Financial dependence or poor health alone is not enough. Relatives of people with other residence permits are not eligible.

Foreign marriage and birth certificates must be legalised, with an apostille where the issuing country is party to the Hague Apostille Convention, and translated into Finnish, Swedish or English; a translation made abroad must also be legalised.

Secure means of support usually means net income, after tax and pension and insurance contributions, at the level of Migri’s guideline: in 2026 EUR 1,210 a month for a single adult in the capital region (EUR 1,090 or 1,030 in other areas), with higher amounts for each additional adult and child. Wages, business income, assets and pensions count; social assistance, labour market subsidy, basic unemployment allowance and, from 1 May 2026, the general social security benefit cannot be the basis. The guideline can be departed from for compelling reasons or in a child’s best interests.

For families of people with refugee status, income is not required if the family existed before the sponsor came to Finland and the application is made within three months of the sponsor being told of the positive decision. For children of people with protection status, Migri generally requires two years of residence from the sponsor.

Family members usually apply for the first permit abroad, in their home country or another country of legal residence. The application is made online in Enter Finland and completed at a Finnish mission, or a VFS Global centre acting for it, within three months; children must be present in person.

A child born in Finland must apply within three months of birth.

Migri normally gives you a Finnish personal identity code with the positive decision. After moving, book a visit to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) to register your address and, if you qualify, a municipality of residence, which opens access to municipal health, social and integration services. Bring your passport, the residence permit card and your employment contract or proof of studies.

Family members may work and study, and may be entitled to integration services and Finnish or Swedish courses.

A negative Migri decision comes with appeal instructions. The appeal goes to an Administrative Court, which can uphold the refusal or send the case back to Migri; further appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court needs leave to appeal. If you applied from abroad, you wait abroad while the appeal is pending.