Two Free Movements Reach Finland, and the Nordic One Is Written as a Right to Arrive Without a Passport
Answer
The general rule applies to you
No exception is recorded for citizens of The Bahamas on this topic. That is the answer, not a gap - everything below is the rule you get, unchanged.
147 exceptions recorded across 54 countries · none match The Bahamas to Finland · Residency under a regional treaty
Chapter 10 of the Aliens Act transposes the Union's free movement directive, and section 3(2) draws the group it applies to: nationals of EU member states and of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, all treated alike. A Union citizen stays three months on an identity card or passport with no other condition, must register with the Immigration Service if the stay runs past three months, and acquires a right of permanent residence after five years of lawful continuous residence that no condition attaches to. The Nordic right sits beside it in section 157 and is older and differently shaped: a citizen of Iceland, Norway, Sweden or Denmark may enter without a passport when coming directly from one of those states and stay without registering the right of residence - but must be able to establish identity and citizenship reliably, and must register the residence under the Nordic population-registration agreement for anything other than a short stay. Section 158 a(3) adds a benefit the Union rule does not give: a family member of a Nordic citizen has a right of residence even where livelihood is not secure.
At a glance
- Who the chapter reaches
- Nationals of EU member states and of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland
Section 3(2) of the Aliens Act defines a Union citizen and a person treated as one in one phrase, which is why Switzerland needs no separate provision.
- Stay without registering
- Three months, on an identity card or a passport
Section 158(1). A jobseeker may stay a reasonable time beyond that without registering, under section 158(3).
- Registration deadline
- Three months from the date of entry, with the Finnish Immigration Service
Section 159(1), as amended in 2021, which moved the registration from the police to the Immigration Service.
- Permanent residence
- Five years of lawful continuous residence, with no condition attached
Section 161 g(1). The conditions for short and longer stays expressly stop applying.
- Nordic citizens
- Entry without a passport when coming directly from Iceland, Norway, Sweden or Denmark
Section 157(1). Identity and citizenship must still be shown reliably under section 157(2).
- Family member of a Nordic citizen
- A right of residence even if livelihood is not secure
Section 158 a(3), which has no counterpart for a Union citizen's family.
Requirements
- For a Union, EEA or Swiss citizen: a valid identity card or passport for the first three months
- Registration with the Finnish Immigration Service within three months of entry for a longer stay
- Work, self-employment, sufficient resources with sickness insurance, or enrolment in education, for a stay beyond three months
- For a Nordic citizen: reliable proof of identity and citizenship, and registration under the Nordic population-registration agreement for other than a short stay
In detail
How the Nordic right is worded here and next door
Denmark's Aliens Act says in one sentence that citizens of Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden may enter and stay without permission, and attaches nothing. Finland's section 157 gives the same freedom but describes it as entry without a passport directly from those states, requires identity and citizenship to be shown reliably, and sends anyone staying other than briefly to register under the Nordic population-registration agreement. The right is the same in substance; the Finnish text is the one that tells you what you will actually be asked at the border and at the registry office.
The agreement itself was not read
Section 157(3) refers to what has been agreed between the Nordic countries on population registration, without naming the instrument or its treaty-series number. That agreement was not located and not read. What this record carries about Nordic registration is the Finnish Act's description of it and nothing more.
What applies to you
Nothing changes for a citizen of The Bahamas
We have no rule recorded that treats your citizenship differently here, so the general rule above is the one that applies to you. That is an answer, not a gap.
What the law says
«Tätä lukua sovelletaan unionin kansalaiseen ja häneen rinnastettavaan sekä näiden perheenjäseniin ja muihin omaisiin.»Our translation - not official
This chapter applies to a Union citizen and to a person treated as one, and to their family members and other relatives.
About this source
Finland's state legal information service, run by the Ministry of Justice. It publishes the Suomen säädöskokoelma - the statute series, where an Act takes effect on publication - and, separately, the ajantasainen consolidated text of each Act with later amendments worked into it. Every statute carries an ELI identifier that states the date of the consolidated version, so the cut-off is on the page rather than inferred: the Aliens Act 301/2004 was read at http://data.finlex.fi/eli/sd/2004/301/ajantasa/2026-06-26/fin. The site is bilingual by law and serves Finnish and Swedish texts of the same statute at the same address; Finnish is the language quoted here. It also carries unofficial English translations under /lainsaadanto/saadoskaannokset/.
Standing: Maintains the text in force
Cannot be cited for: The English translations are not the instrument and must never be quoted as one - they are produced by ministries, carry their own amendment cut-offs separate from the Finnish text's, and several are years behind it. The consolidated text is the right thing to quote for what the law is now, but it prints provisions that are not yet in force alongside those that are, each marked with its own commencement date: the Nationality Act consolidation of 16 June 2026 carries the 2027 citizenship-exam wording of section 13 directly beneath the wording in force. A reader who takes the first paragraph they see has a one-in-two chance of reading next year's law. The consolidation also lags the statute series, and each statute's page lists the government bills pending on it; those bills are not law and must not be cited as if they were. The original statute as enacted is a different document at a different address under /lainsaadanto/saadoskokoelma/ and does not carry amendments.
We re-read it every 60 days. More about this source
«Euroopan unionin (EU) jäsenvaltion sekä Islannin, Liechtensteinin, Norjan ja Sveitsin kansalaista;»Our translation - not official
a citizen of a member state of the European Union (EU) and of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland;
The definition that puts the EEA states and Switzerland inside the same chapter as the Union's own citizens.
Read it at the sourceAbout this source
Finland's state legal information service, run by the Ministry of Justice. It publishes the Suomen säädöskokoelma - the statute series, where an Act takes effect on publication - and, separately, the ajantasainen consolidated text of each Act with later amendments worked into it. Every statute carries an ELI identifier that states the date of the consolidated version, so the cut-off is on the page rather than inferred: the Aliens Act 301/2004 was read at http://data.finlex.fi/eli/sd/2004/301/ajantasa/2026-06-26/fin. The site is bilingual by law and serves Finnish and Swedish texts of the same statute at the same address; Finnish is the language quoted here. It also carries unofficial English translations under /lainsaadanto/saadoskaannokset/.
Standing: Maintains the text in force
Cannot be cited for: The English translations are not the instrument and must never be quoted as one - they are produced by ministries, carry their own amendment cut-offs separate from the Finnish text's, and several are years behind it. The consolidated text is the right thing to quote for what the law is now, but it prints provisions that are not yet in force alongside those that are, each marked with its own commencement date: the Nationality Act consolidation of 16 June 2026 carries the 2027 citizenship-exam wording of section 13 directly beneath the wording in force. A reader who takes the first paragraph they see has a one-in-two chance of reading next year's law. The consolidation also lags the statute series, and each statute's page lists the government bills pending on it; those bills are not law and must not be cited as if they were. The original statute as enacted is a different document at a different address under /lainsaadanto/saadoskokoelma/ and does not carry amendments.
We re-read it every 60 days. More about this source
«Unionin kansalainen saa oleskella Suomessa rekisteröimättä oleskeluoikeuttaan enintään kolme kuukautta ilman muita edellytyksiä tai muodollisuuksia kuin se, että hänellä on voimassa oleva henkilökortti tai passi.»Our translation - not official
A Union citizen may stay in Finland without registering his or her right of residence for at most three months, with no conditions or formalities other than holding a valid identity card or passport.
About this source
Finland's state legal information service, run by the Ministry of Justice. It publishes the Suomen säädöskokoelma - the statute series, where an Act takes effect on publication - and, separately, the ajantasainen consolidated text of each Act with later amendments worked into it. Every statute carries an ELI identifier that states the date of the consolidated version, so the cut-off is on the page rather than inferred: the Aliens Act 301/2004 was read at http://data.finlex.fi/eli/sd/2004/301/ajantasa/2026-06-26/fin. The site is bilingual by law and serves Finnish and Swedish texts of the same statute at the same address; Finnish is the language quoted here. It also carries unofficial English translations under /lainsaadanto/saadoskaannokset/.
Standing: Maintains the text in force
Cannot be cited for: The English translations are not the instrument and must never be quoted as one - they are produced by ministries, carry their own amendment cut-offs separate from the Finnish text's, and several are years behind it. The consolidated text is the right thing to quote for what the law is now, but it prints provisions that are not yet in force alongside those that are, each marked with its own commencement date: the Nationality Act consolidation of 16 June 2026 carries the 2027 citizenship-exam wording of section 13 directly beneath the wording in force. A reader who takes the first paragraph they see has a one-in-two chance of reading next year's law. The consolidation also lags the statute series, and each statute's page lists the government bills pending on it; those bills are not law and must not be cited as if they were. The original statute as enacted is a different document at a different address under /lainsaadanto/saadoskokoelma/ and does not carry amendments.
We re-read it every 60 days. More about this source
«Unionin kansalainen saa oleskella Suomessa yli kolmen kuukauden ajan, jos: 1) hän harjoittaa taloudellista toimintaa palkattuna työntekijänä tai itsenäisenä ammatinharjoittajana; 2) hänellä on itseään ja perheenjäseniään varten riittävät varat ja tarvittaessa sairausvakuutus niin, että he eivät turvautumalla toistuvasti toimeentulotuesta annetussa laissa säädettyyn toimeentulotukeen tai siihen rinnastettaviin etuuksiin taikka muulla vastaavalla tavalla oleskelunsa aikana muodostu rasitteeksi Suomen sosiaalihuoltojärjestelmälle; 3) hän on kirjoittautunut Suomessa hyväksyttyyn oppilaitokseen pääasiallisena tarkoituksenaan osallistua koulutukseen ja hänellä on itseään ja perheenjäseniään varten riittävät varat oleskelua varten ja tarvittaessa sairausvakuutus niin, että he eivät turvautumalla toistuvasti toimeentulotuesta annetussa laissa säädettyyn toimeentulotukeen tai siihen rinnastettaviin etuuksiin taikka muulla vastaavalla tavalla oleskelunsa aikana muodostu rasitteeksi Suomen sosiaalihuoltojärjestelmälle; taikka 4) hän on 1, 2 tai 3 kohdassa säädetyt edellytykset täyttävän unionin kansalaisen perheenjäsen.»Our translation - not official
A Union citizen may stay in Finland for more than three months if: 1) he or she pursues an economic activity as an employed or self-employed person; 2) he or she has sufficient resources for himself or herself and his or her family members and, where necessary, sickness insurance, so that they do not become a burden on Finland's social assistance system during their stay by having recourse repeatedly to social assistance under the Act on Social Assistance or to comparable benefits or in another corresponding way; 3) he or she is enrolled at an educational institution recognised in Finland with the principal purpose of taking part in education and has sufficient resources for himself or herself and his or her family members for the stay and, where necessary, sickness insurance, so that they do not become a burden on Finland's social assistance system during their stay by having recourse repeatedly to social assistance under the Act on Social Assistance or to comparable benefits or in another corresponding way; or 4) he or she is a family member of a Union citizen who meets the conditions laid down in points 1, 2 or 3.
About this source
Finland's state legal information service, run by the Ministry of Justice. It publishes the Suomen säädöskokoelma - the statute series, where an Act takes effect on publication - and, separately, the ajantasainen consolidated text of each Act with later amendments worked into it. Every statute carries an ELI identifier that states the date of the consolidated version, so the cut-off is on the page rather than inferred: the Aliens Act 301/2004 was read at http://data.finlex.fi/eli/sd/2004/301/ajantasa/2026-06-26/fin. The site is bilingual by law and serves Finnish and Swedish texts of the same statute at the same address; Finnish is the language quoted here. It also carries unofficial English translations under /lainsaadanto/saadoskaannokset/.
Standing: Maintains the text in force
Cannot be cited for: The English translations are not the instrument and must never be quoted as one - they are produced by ministries, carry their own amendment cut-offs separate from the Finnish text's, and several are years behind it. The consolidated text is the right thing to quote for what the law is now, but it prints provisions that are not yet in force alongside those that are, each marked with its own commencement date: the Nationality Act consolidation of 16 June 2026 carries the 2027 citizenship-exam wording of section 13 directly beneath the wording in force. A reader who takes the first paragraph they see has a one-in-two chance of reading next year's law. The consolidation also lags the statute series, and each statute's page lists the government bills pending on it; those bills are not law and must not be cited as if they were. The original statute as enacted is a different document at a different address under /lainsaadanto/saadoskokoelma/ and does not carry amendments.
We re-read it every 60 days. More about this source
«Pohjoismaan kansalaisen perheenjäsenellä on oleskeluoikeus, vaikka hänen toimeentulonsa ei olisi turvattu.»Our translation - not official
The family member of a Nordic citizen has a right of residence even if his or her livelihood is not secure.
One sentence that makes the Nordic route better than the Union route for the person who is not a Union citizen.
Read it at the sourceAbout this source
Finland's state legal information service, run by the Ministry of Justice. It publishes the Suomen säädöskokoelma - the statute series, where an Act takes effect on publication - and, separately, the ajantasainen consolidated text of each Act with later amendments worked into it. Every statute carries an ELI identifier that states the date of the consolidated version, so the cut-off is on the page rather than inferred: the Aliens Act 301/2004 was read at http://data.finlex.fi/eli/sd/2004/301/ajantasa/2026-06-26/fin. The site is bilingual by law and serves Finnish and Swedish texts of the same statute at the same address; Finnish is the language quoted here. It also carries unofficial English translations under /lainsaadanto/saadoskaannokset/.
Standing: Maintains the text in force
Cannot be cited for: The English translations are not the instrument and must never be quoted as one - they are produced by ministries, carry their own amendment cut-offs separate from the Finnish text's, and several are years behind it. The consolidated text is the right thing to quote for what the law is now, but it prints provisions that are not yet in force alongside those that are, each marked with its own commencement date: the Nationality Act consolidation of 16 June 2026 carries the 2027 citizenship-exam wording of section 13 directly beneath the wording in force. A reader who takes the first paragraph they see has a one-in-two chance of reading next year's law. The consolidation also lags the statute series, and each statute's page lists the government bills pending on it; those bills are not law and must not be cited as if they were. The original statute as enacted is a different document at a different address under /lainsaadanto/saadoskokoelma/ and does not carry amendments.
We re-read it every 60 days. More about this source
«Jos unionin kansalainen oleskelee Suomessa yli kolme kuukautta, hänen on rekisteröitävä oleskelunsa. Rekisteröintihakemus jätetään Maahanmuuttovirastolle kolmen kuukauden kuluessa maahantulopäivästä.»Our translation - not official
If a Union citizen stays in Finland for more than three months, he or she must register the residence. The registration application is submitted to the Finnish Immigration Service within three months of the date of entry.
About this source
Finland's state legal information service, run by the Ministry of Justice. It publishes the Suomen säädöskokoelma - the statute series, where an Act takes effect on publication - and, separately, the ajantasainen consolidated text of each Act with later amendments worked into it. Every statute carries an ELI identifier that states the date of the consolidated version, so the cut-off is on the page rather than inferred: the Aliens Act 301/2004 was read at http://data.finlex.fi/eli/sd/2004/301/ajantasa/2026-06-26/fin. The site is bilingual by law and serves Finnish and Swedish texts of the same statute at the same address; Finnish is the language quoted here. It also carries unofficial English translations under /lainsaadanto/saadoskaannokset/.
Standing: Maintains the text in force
Cannot be cited for: The English translations are not the instrument and must never be quoted as one - they are produced by ministries, carry their own amendment cut-offs separate from the Finnish text's, and several are years behind it. The consolidated text is the right thing to quote for what the law is now, but it prints provisions that are not yet in force alongside those that are, each marked with its own commencement date: the Nationality Act consolidation of 16 June 2026 carries the 2027 citizenship-exam wording of section 13 directly beneath the wording in force. A reader who takes the first paragraph they see has a one-in-two chance of reading next year's law. The consolidation also lags the statute series, and each statute's page lists the government bills pending on it; those bills are not law and must not be cited as if they were. The original statute as enacted is a different document at a different address under /lainsaadanto/saadoskokoelma/ and does not carry amendments.
We re-read it every 60 days. More about this source
«Unionin kansalaisella, joka on oleskellut Suomessa laillisesti ja yhtäjaksoisesti viisi vuotta, on oikeus pysyvään oleskeluun. Tähän oikeuteen ei sovelleta, mitä lyhytaikaisen ja yli kolme kuukautta kestävän oleskelun edellytyksistä säädetään.»Our translation - not official
A Union citizen who has resided in Finland lawfully and continuously for five years has a right of permanent residence. The provisions on the conditions for a short stay and for a stay of more than three months do not apply to that right.
About this source
Finland's state legal information service, run by the Ministry of Justice. It publishes the Suomen säädöskokoelma - the statute series, where an Act takes effect on publication - and, separately, the ajantasainen consolidated text of each Act with later amendments worked into it. Every statute carries an ELI identifier that states the date of the consolidated version, so the cut-off is on the page rather than inferred: the Aliens Act 301/2004 was read at http://data.finlex.fi/eli/sd/2004/301/ajantasa/2026-06-26/fin. The site is bilingual by law and serves Finnish and Swedish texts of the same statute at the same address; Finnish is the language quoted here. It also carries unofficial English translations under /lainsaadanto/saadoskaannokset/.
Standing: Maintains the text in force
Cannot be cited for: The English translations are not the instrument and must never be quoted as one - they are produced by ministries, carry their own amendment cut-offs separate from the Finnish text's, and several are years behind it. The consolidated text is the right thing to quote for what the law is now, but it prints provisions that are not yet in force alongside those that are, each marked with its own commencement date: the Nationality Act consolidation of 16 June 2026 carries the 2027 citizenship-exam wording of section 13 directly beneath the wording in force. A reader who takes the first paragraph they see has a one-in-two chance of reading next year's law. The consolidation also lags the statute series, and each statute's page lists the government bills pending on it; those bills are not law and must not be cited as if they were. The original statute as enacted is a different document at a different address under /lainsaadanto/saadoskokoelma/ and does not carry amendments.
We re-read it every 60 days. More about this source
«Islannin, Norjan, Ruotsin ja Tanskan kansalaisilla on oikeus saapua maahan ilman passia suoraan näistä valtioista ja oleskella Suomessa rekisteröimättä oleskeluoikeuttaan.»Our translation - not official
Citizens of Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark have the right to enter the country without a passport directly from those states and to stay in Finland without registering their right of residence.
About this source
Finland's state legal information service, run by the Ministry of Justice. It publishes the Suomen säädöskokoelma - the statute series, where an Act takes effect on publication - and, separately, the ajantasainen consolidated text of each Act with later amendments worked into it. Every statute carries an ELI identifier that states the date of the consolidated version, so the cut-off is on the page rather than inferred: the Aliens Act 301/2004 was read at http://data.finlex.fi/eli/sd/2004/301/ajantasa/2026-06-26/fin. The site is bilingual by law and serves Finnish and Swedish texts of the same statute at the same address; Finnish is the language quoted here. It also carries unofficial English translations under /lainsaadanto/saadoskaannokset/.
Standing: Maintains the text in force
Cannot be cited for: The English translations are not the instrument and must never be quoted as one - they are produced by ministries, carry their own amendment cut-offs separate from the Finnish text's, and several are years behind it. The consolidated text is the right thing to quote for what the law is now, but it prints provisions that are not yet in force alongside those that are, each marked with its own commencement date: the Nationality Act consolidation of 16 June 2026 carries the 2027 citizenship-exam wording of section 13 directly beneath the wording in force. A reader who takes the first paragraph they see has a one-in-two chance of reading next year's law. The consolidation also lags the statute series, and each statute's page lists the government bills pending on it; those bills are not law and must not be cited as if they were. The original statute as enacted is a different document at a different address under /lainsaadanto/saadoskokoelma/ and does not carry amendments.
We re-read it every 60 days. More about this source
«Islannin, Norjan, Ruotsin ja Tanskan kansalaisen on luotettavalla tavalla kyettävä osoittamaan henkilöllisyytensä ja kansalaisuutensa.»Our translation - not official
A citizen of Iceland, Norway, Sweden or Denmark must be able to establish his or her identity and citizenship in a reliable manner.
About this source
Finland's state legal information service, run by the Ministry of Justice. It publishes the Suomen säädöskokoelma - the statute series, where an Act takes effect on publication - and, separately, the ajantasainen consolidated text of each Act with later amendments worked into it. Every statute carries an ELI identifier that states the date of the consolidated version, so the cut-off is on the page rather than inferred: the Aliens Act 301/2004 was read at http://data.finlex.fi/eli/sd/2004/301/ajantasa/2026-06-26/fin. The site is bilingual by law and serves Finnish and Swedish texts of the same statute at the same address; Finnish is the language quoted here. It also carries unofficial English translations under /lainsaadanto/saadoskaannokset/.
Standing: Maintains the text in force
Cannot be cited for: The English translations are not the instrument and must never be quoted as one - they are produced by ministries, carry their own amendment cut-offs separate from the Finnish text's, and several are years behind it. The consolidated text is the right thing to quote for what the law is now, but it prints provisions that are not yet in force alongside those that are, each marked with its own commencement date: the Nationality Act consolidation of 16 June 2026 carries the 2027 citizenship-exam wording of section 13 directly beneath the wording in force. A reader who takes the first paragraph they see has a one-in-two chance of reading next year's law. The consolidation also lags the statute series, and each statute's page lists the government bills pending on it; those bills are not law and must not be cited as if they were. The original statute as enacted is a different document at a different address under /lainsaadanto/saadoskokoelma/ and does not carry amendments.
We re-read it every 60 days. More about this source
«päättäessään työskentelynsä on saavuttanut vanhuuseläkkeeseen oikeuttavan iän ja on työskennellyt tai harjoittanut ammattia Suomessa vähintään viimeksi kuluneet 12 kuukautta sekä asunut Suomessa yhtäjaksoisesti vähintään kolme vuotta; jos itsenäisellä ammatinharjoittajalla ei ole oikeutta vanhuuseläkkeeseen, hän saa oikeuden pysyvään oleskeluun täytettyään 60 vuotta;»Our translation - not official
on ending his or her work has reached the age entitling to an old-age pension and has worked or practised a profession in Finland for at least the last 12 months and has lived in Finland continuously for at least three years; if a self-employed person is not entitled to an old-age pension, he or she acquires the right of permanent residence on reaching the age of 60;
About this source
Finland's state legal information service, run by the Ministry of Justice. It publishes the Suomen säädöskokoelma - the statute series, where an Act takes effect on publication - and, separately, the ajantasainen consolidated text of each Act with later amendments worked into it. Every statute carries an ELI identifier that states the date of the consolidated version, so the cut-off is on the page rather than inferred: the Aliens Act 301/2004 was read at http://data.finlex.fi/eli/sd/2004/301/ajantasa/2026-06-26/fin. The site is bilingual by law and serves Finnish and Swedish texts of the same statute at the same address; Finnish is the language quoted here. It also carries unofficial English translations under /lainsaadanto/saadoskaannokset/.
Standing: Maintains the text in force
Cannot be cited for: The English translations are not the instrument and must never be quoted as one - they are produced by ministries, carry their own amendment cut-offs separate from the Finnish text's, and several are years behind it. The consolidated text is the right thing to quote for what the law is now, but it prints provisions that are not yet in force alongside those that are, each marked with its own commencement date: the Nationality Act consolidation of 16 June 2026 carries the 2027 citizenship-exam wording of section 13 directly beneath the wording in force. A reader who takes the first paragraph they see has a one-in-two chance of reading next year's law. The consolidation also lags the statute series, and each statute's page lists the government bills pending on it; those bills are not law and must not be cited as if they were. The original statute as enacted is a different document at a different address under /lainsaadanto/saadoskokoelma/ and does not carry amendments.
We re-read it every 60 days. More about this source
Practical notes
Directive 2004/38/EC itself was not read. Chapter 10 of the Aliens Act is Finland's transposition of it, and the quotations here are from the Finnish statute rather than from the Directive.
The Nordic agreement on population registration, which section 157(3) relies on, was not read and is not cited.
Sections 161 a to 161 f, on residence cards for family members who are not Union citizens and on retaining residence after death, departure or divorce, were read but are not set out here.
- consolidatesUlkomaalaislaki, consolidated text of 26 June 2026
Finlex, oikeusministeriö · consolidated to 2026-06-26
About this source
Finland's state legal information service, run by the Ministry of Justice. It publishes the Suomen säädöskokoelma - the statute series, where an Act takes effect on publication - and, separately, the ajantasainen consolidated text of each Act with later amendments worked into it. Every statute carries an ELI identifier that states the date of the consolidated version, so the cut-off is on the page rather than inferred: the Aliens Act 301/2004 was read at http://data.finlex.fi/eli/sd/2004/301/ajantasa/2026-06-26/fin. The site is bilingual by law and serves Finnish and Swedish texts of the same statute at the same address; Finnish is the language quoted here. It also carries unofficial English translations under /lainsaadanto/saadoskaannokset/.
Standing: Maintains the text in force
Cannot be cited for: The English translations are not the instrument and must never be quoted as one - they are produced by ministries, carry their own amendment cut-offs separate from the Finnish text's, and several are years behind it. The consolidated text is the right thing to quote for what the law is now, but it prints provisions that are not yet in force alongside those that are, each marked with its own commencement date: the Nationality Act consolidation of 16 June 2026 carries the 2027 citizenship-exam wording of section 13 directly beneath the wording in force. A reader who takes the first paragraph they see has a one-in-two chance of reading next year's law. The consolidation also lags the statute series, and each statute's page lists the government bills pending on it; those bills are not law and must not be cited as if they were. The original statute as enacted is a different document at a different address under /lainsaadanto/saadoskokoelma/ and does not carry amendments.
We re-read it every 60 days. More about this source
- consolidatesUlkomaalaislaki, consolidated text of 26 June 2026
Finlex, oikeusministeriö · consolidated to 2026-06-26
About this source
Finland's state legal information service, run by the Ministry of Justice. It publishes the Suomen säädöskokoelma - the statute series, where an Act takes effect on publication - and, separately, the ajantasainen consolidated text of each Act with later amendments worked into it. Every statute carries an ELI identifier that states the date of the consolidated version, so the cut-off is on the page rather than inferred: the Aliens Act 301/2004 was read at http://data.finlex.fi/eli/sd/2004/301/ajantasa/2026-06-26/fin. The site is bilingual by law and serves Finnish and Swedish texts of the same statute at the same address; Finnish is the language quoted here. It also carries unofficial English translations under /lainsaadanto/saadoskaannokset/.
Standing: Maintains the text in force
Cannot be cited for: The English translations are not the instrument and must never be quoted as one - they are produced by ministries, carry their own amendment cut-offs separate from the Finnish text's, and several are years behind it. The consolidated text is the right thing to quote for what the law is now, but it prints provisions that are not yet in force alongside those that are, each marked with its own commencement date: the Nationality Act consolidation of 16 June 2026 carries the 2027 citizenship-exam wording of section 13 directly beneath the wording in force. A reader who takes the first paragraph they see has a one-in-two chance of reading next year's law. The consolidation also lags the statute series, and each statute's page lists the government bills pending on it; those bills are not law and must not be cited as if they were. The original statute as enacted is a different document at a different address under /lainsaadanto/saadoskokoelma/ and does not carry amendments.
We re-read it every 60 days. More about this source