UK citizens need to apply for permit in autumn to live in Finland

As a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, UK citizens living in Finland must submit a separate application for the right of residence in Finland under the withdrawal agreement.

The Government submitted a proposal on the matter to Parliament on Thursday, said an official press release.

According to the proposal, UK citizens with a registered EU right of residence in Finland must apply to exchange the previous registration based on the right of residence in the EU for the right of residence under the withdrawal agreement.

The purpose of the application procedure is to verify that the applicant has the right of residence under the withdrawal agreement.

A permanent EU right of residence requires that a person has resided in Finland for a period of five years. Those who have a certificate demonstrating their permanent EU residence right would not be required to apply for a right of residence under the withdrawal agreement.

Application would nevertheless be recommended for those in this situation so that they too could demonstrate their right of residence as conveniently as possible when going about their business in Finland and at the Schengen external border. Application would be free of charge for these persons.

The proposal will affect approximately 5,000 UK citizens living in Finland.

After having been granted a right of residence under the withdrawal agreement, UK citizens could continue their stay in Finland after the transitional period ends at the end of 2020. The right of residence would be granted for life. It would only be valid in Finland.

The Act is scheduled to enter into force on 1 September 2020.

The aim is that applications for the right of residence under the withdrawal agreement could be submitted to the Finnish Immigration Service from 1 October 2020 to 30 June 2021.

The application period has been extended by three months from the date originally planned.