Does a Child Born in Finland Receive Finnish Citizenship
A child born in Finland does not automatically acquire Finnish citizenship if the parents are foreign nationals. Finnish citizenship is transmitted by descent, that is, from the mother or the father, and not by place of birth. An exception arises only in specific cases.
This rule applies equally to families from Ukraine. If you do not hold Finnish citizenship, the child usually inherits Ukrainian citizenship, and Finnish citizenship may be acquired later through an application by the parents. For this purpose, the child is usually listed as a co-applicant on one parent’s application.
Our experience at International Law Firm "Zahist" shows that the greatest number of misconceptions relates precisely to the place of birth. Families expect a Finnish passport to appear on its own, and later discover that the documents are missing. Below we explain whether a child acquires Finnish citizenship and what to do.
Does birth in Finland confer Finnish citizenship
According to the Finnish Immigration Service, a child born in Finland to foreign parents becomes a citizen of the country solely by place of birth only in exceptional cases. This is not the general rule.
| Situation | Is there Finnish citizenship |
| The child’s mother is a Finnish citizen | Yes, automatically, regardless of the country of birth |
| The father is a Finnish citizen and the parents are married | Yes, automatically |
| The father is a Finnish citizen, there is no marriage, and the child was born in Finland | Yes, automatically after official confirmation of paternity |
| Both parents are foreign nationals | As a rule, no, only in exceptional cases |
Thus, the mere fact of birth in a Finnish hospital does not change citizenship. For parents from Ukraine, this means that the child’s documents must be arranged with Ukrainian law in mind.
When a child nevertheless acquires Finnish citizenship by place of birth
The Immigration Service describes a narrow set of cases in which citizenship is granted by place of birth. The conditions concern primarily children who would otherwise remain stateless.
- The child does not acquire any citizenship by descent
- The child has no subsidiary right to the citizenship of another country
- The parents have refugee status, or protection by their own state is unavailable to them
- The child cannot obtain the parents’ citizenship with the assistance of the authorities of their state
For Ukrainian families, such conditions are usually not met, since children have a right to Ukrainian citizenship. However, in special circumstances, particularly regarding documents, an individual legal assessment is required.
Ukrainian citizenship of a child born in Finland
A child’s Ukrainian citizenship depends on the citizenship of the parents. If both parents are citizens of Ukraine, the child is, as a rule, also recognized as a citizen of Ukraine regardless of the place of birth.
| Family composition | What needs to be checked |
| Both parents are citizens of Ukraine | Registration of the birth and confirmation of the child’s citizenship |
| One of the parents is a citizen of Ukraine | The rules for determining citizenship depend on the circumstances |
| The parents are in different countries | Confirmation of parentage and submission of documents |
To confirm citizenship, the child’s birth must be registered and Ukrainian documents must be issued. We discussed this in detail in an article on a Ukrainian birth certificate obtained abroad.
How a child may acquire Finnish citizenship later
A child’s Finnish citizenship may be acquired by application or through an application by the parents. The Immigration Service states that a child may be added as a co-applicant if the father or mother files an application and the child is under 18 years of age.
- Make sure that you meet the conditions for filing a citizenship application
- File a citizenship application in your own name
- Add the child as a co-applicant using an additional form
- Prepare documents concerning the child’s birth and custody
- Book an appointment at a service point and bring the child with you
Only a child under 18 over whom you have custody may be a co-applicant. If the application is filed together with yours, the child must also reside in Finland.
A mixed family, paternity outside marriage, and adoption
If one of the parents holds Finnish citizenship, the rules change. What matters here is the parents’ marriage, the place of birth, and confirmation of paternity.
| Circumstances | How the child’s citizenship is determined |
| The mother holds Finnish citizenship | The child becomes a citizen automatically in any country |
| A citizen father is married to the mother | The child becomes a citizen automatically |
| A citizen father, the parents are not married, and the child was born in Finland | Automatically after official confirmation of paternity |
| A citizen father, the parents are not married, and the child was born abroad | By application (declaration) |
| The parents married after the child’s birth | Automatically, provided that paternity has been confirmed |
| An adopted child under 12 years of age | Automatically, if at least one of the adoptive parents is a citizen |
A child who acquired citizenship by descent may lose it if paternity is later annulled. Therefore, confirmation of paternity and the documents must be arranged carefully.
Ukrainian couples in which one parent already holds Finnish citizenship should clarify these rules even before the child is born. This will help avoid gaps in the documents and speed up registration.
How to verify a child’s citizenship and enter it in the register
If you are unsure whether the child acquired Finnish citizenship by descent, you may contact the Immigration Service. It may determine the child’s citizenship status upon request.
Citizenship acquired automatically is entered in the DVV population system. Checking the records therefore helps to identify discrepancies in time and correct them.
Dual citizenship and the child’s status in Finland
The issue of dual citizenship for Ukrainians requires caution. Finland generally permits multiple citizenships, but Ukraine has its own rules and practice regarding dual citizenship.
An error on this issue may lead to problems during entry and the processing of documents. Decisions must therefore be made with the requirements of both states in mind.
What documents and permits a child needs before acquiring citizenship
Until citizenship has been arranged, the child must have a lawful basis for residence in Finland. It depends on the parents’ status.
| Parents’ status | What is required for the child |
| Temporary protection | Registration of the child and issuance of a temporary protection permit |
| Another residence permit | A separate permit application for the child |
| Parents with Finnish citizenship | The child is already a citizen, and nothing needs to be filed separately |
The child also needs a personal identity code, registration in the Finnish system, and a Ukrainian passport or another document. We have written separately about registering a birth in Finland.
Common mistakes parents make regarding a child’s citizenship
Below are the mistakes that occur most often. Each of them could have been avoided.
- Assuming that birth in Finland automatically confers Finnish citizenship
- Failing to register the child’s birth for Ukrainian documents in a timely manner
- Disregarding the child’s status in the country after birth
- Filing a citizenship application without including the child
- Ignoring the rules on dual citizenship
- Failing to check documents for apostille and translation
Expectations of automatic citizenship and missing documents are particularly risky. It is better to clarify these matters before the child is born. If the child has already been born, gather all hospital certificates and proof of registration, and do not delay seeking legal advice.
Why it is difficult to handle this on your own
It may seem that filling out a few forms is enough. However, the laws of the two countries operate differently, and a mistake can be costly.
- The rules of Finland and Ukraine define citizenship differently
- It is difficult to assess whether an exception applies to the child
- The child’s documents must be aligned in both countries
- Information is scattered across the websites of different authorities
- An error in the application leads to a refusal and additional costs
That is why an increasing number of Ukrainian families interested in whether a child acquires Finnish citizenship turn to lawyers even before the child is born.
On your own or with International Law Firm "Zahist": a comparison
The difference between the two approaches is best seen in a comparison.
| Criterion | On your own | With International Law Firm "Zahist" |
| Assessment of the child’s citizenship | Based on rumors and forums | Analysis of the law of both countries |
| The child’s documents | Risk of missing requirements | Review of completeness and translations |
| Citizenship application | Difficult to prepare independently | Preparation and support |
| Dual citizenship | Consequences are underestimated | Risk assessment for both countries |
| Refusal | Difficult to appeal | Preparation of an appeal |
We do not guarantee decisions by public authorities, as the final word remains with them. However, proper preparation significantly reduces the risk of refusals.
How International Law Firm "Zahist" assists parents with matters of a child’s citizenship
We work according to a clear plan so that you always understand what is happening in your case.
- Analysis of the situation: the parents’ citizenship, marriage, and status in Finland
- Assessment of whether the child is entitled to Finnish citizenship
- Assistance with birth registration and Ukrainian documents
- Preparation of a citizenship application with the child as a co-applicant
- Assistance with apostille and translation
- Support during inquiries from the Migration Service
- Appeal in the event of a refusal
At every stage, you know what is happening and are not left alone with the bureaucracy. This is especially important when it concerns a child’s documents.
Legal assistance regarding a child’s citizenship
Do not delay seeking advice, as rules and requirements may change. The sooner you start, the easier it will be to prepare the documents correctly.
Contact the lawyers of International Law Firm "Zahist", and we will help you determine whether a child born in Finland acquires Finnish citizenship and prepare all the necessary documents.
