FI-NAT-04 — Naturalization — refugee/protection-status modified residence count

Bucket: NAT | Acquisition type: naturalization | **Signature **: no

Operative framework: Kansalaisuuslaki (Nationality Act) 359/2003 (as amended through 974/2007 + 579/2011 + 261/2014 + 432/2019 + 218/2024 + 929/2025). Administered by Maahanmuuttovirasto (Migri) — Finnish Immigration Service. Applicants engage one of two constitutionally-equal national languages: Finnish OR Swedish (constitutional bilingualism per Constitution Act 731/1999 § 17). Appellate path runs to Korkein hallinto-oikeus (KHO) — Supreme Administrative Court. Residence floor (general naturalization): 5 years continuous residence (3 years with marriage to Finnish citizen).

Overview: Finland's citizenship framework runs on Kansalaisuuslaki 359/2003 with 5-amendment cascade (974/2007 + 579/2011 + 261/2014 + 432/2019 + 218/2024) culminating in Phase 2 Reform Act 929/2025. Triple-overlay architecture: (1) Finland-citizenship via 359/2003; (2) Åland hembygdsrätt sui-generis regional-citizenship via Self-Government Act 1144/1991 (distinct from Finland-citizenship); (3) Sami self-administration overlay via Sami Parliament Act 414/2025. Decision-issuing authority: Migri (Maahanmuuttovirasto). Apex: Korkein hallinto-oikeus. ECN ratified with Art 21(3)(g) reservation. Nordic Passport Union founding party (1954).