Permanent-residence fees to jump 58 % and mandatory citizenship test slated for 2027

Finland’s Ministry of the Interior has confirmed sweeping fee hikes for immigration services. From 1 January 2026 the cost of an online permanent-residence (PR) application will rise from €240 to €380; paper submissions will soar from €350 to €600. Officials say the increases align fees with true processing costs and fund IT investments.

In a forward-looking move the ministry also outlined a mandatory citizenship test, to be introduced in January 2027. Candidates will need to pass a computer-based exam covering civic knowledge, basic law and everyday Finnish language. A draft syllabus will be published next spring, with trial tests available in late 2026.



Business-advocacy groups accept the fee hike but warn that sharp rises may deter skilled talent in mid-salary brackets. “An extra €140 per applicant is not trivial for a family of four,” notes the Finnish Chambers of Commerce. Migri counters that only 18 % of PR applicants currently use paper forms and that digital efficiencies will eventually stabilise fees.

Companies managing larger assignee pools should update relocation budgets and communicate the forthcoming citizenship-test requirement early so that employees can schedule language training. The ministry has hinted that free online prep materials will be provided, but classroom courses will likely emerge as a niche business opportunity in Helsinki, Tampere and Oulu.

Combined with the recently lengthened residence-permit timelines, the reforms underscore Finland’s drive to balance openness to talent with stronger integration benchmarks.