Last Updated on February 23, 2023
UK nationals who have been legally living in Finland before December 31, 2020 when the UK withdraws from the EU may continue to live, study, and work in Finland through rights established through the Withdrawal Agreement. UK nationals who are residents of Finland by the end of the Brexit transition will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, and their rights will be protected if they remain a resident. UK nationals should make sure they are registered as residents.
Entry and Residency Requirements
UK nationals who are residents of Finland before December 31, 2020 can remain residents, provided they register for residency as required following the Brexit transition. All UK nationals in Finland will need to apply for Right of Residence under the Withdrawal Agreement. They will be issued a Residence Permit Card to verify their residency status.
All UK nationals who are residents of Finland must apply for a new residency permit before September 30, 2021 in accordance with the Withdrawal Agreement. Individuals who have been in the country for less than five years must apply for a temporary residency permit. UK nationals who have resided in Finland for five or more consecutive years must apply for a permanent residency permit.
UK nationals must apply for residency if they move to Finland after the Brexit transition and plan to stay longer than 90 days. Residence permits are not required for citizens of an EU Member State, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, or Switzerland.
Rules will change for UK nationals who are traveling to or working in Finland starting on January 1, 2021. Travel is permitted in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa to visit family or friends; attend business meetings, sports events, or cultural events; for tourism, and for short-term study or training.
Travelers should note that visits to other Schengen countries within the previous 180 days also count towards the 90-day maximum stay. Any days spent in Finland before January 1, 2021 will not count towards the 90-day limit.
Different immigration requirements apply to UK nationals who move to Finland following the Brexit transition.
Working in Finland
UK nationals who are registered as residents in Finland before or on December 31, 2020 can maintain their right to work and study if they remain residents in Finland.
UK nationals should note that some jobs may require a UK criminal records check (DBS check).
UK nationals who live in Finland and commute to work in an EU/EFTA country may require a permit to prove that they are a frontier worker starting in January 2021. The Home Office will provide further details when guidance is available.
Passports
A valid passport is required to enter the country through December 2020. Starting on January 1, 2021, passports must have at least a six-month validity, except for individuals transiting Finland or who fall within the scope of the Withdrawal Agreement. Individuals must renew their passport prior to traveling if they have less than six months remaining on their passport. Additional months from passports that are more than 10 years old cannot be added to the validity period.
