Finland has introduced a minimum annual income requirement of EUR 40,000 for foreigners applying for permanent residency through a new income-based path, following amendments to the country's Aliens Act that took effect on 8 January 2026. The Finnish Immigration Service now offers multiple application routes under the updated rules, with the income-based path designed for individuals who have already established a life in Finland over several years.
Who Qualifies for the Income-Based Path?
To be eligible, applicants must have lived in Finland for at least four consecutive years under a continuous residence permit, known as an A permit, or a Brexit permit. For those granted residence based on refugee or subsidiary protection status, the four-year period is counted from the day they first arrived in Finland.
The income threshold of EUR 40,000 (approximately N62.8 million) refers to total taxable income, which includes both earned income and capital income before taxes, as recorded in the most recently completed tax assessment period. Earned income covers salaries and pensions, while capital income includes dividends, rental earnings, and capital gains. However, taxable social benefits such as unemployment allowance and sickness allowance must be subtracted from that total before checking whether the threshold is met.
Verification and Additional Conditions
Applicants are advised to verify their figures through Finland's MyTax online service, using the tax decision from the most recent completed assessment. The end date of the tax assessment process varies from person to person, so each applicant must confirm which year's figures apply to their case.
Meeting the income threshold alone is not sufficient. Applicants must also still satisfy the requirements that apply to a continuous residence permit and demonstrate that they have enough money to support themselves in Finland. The exact financial resources needed depend on the grounds on which the original A permit was granted. There are some situations in which the financial resources requirement does not apply, and applicants are encouraged to check the Finnish Immigration Service's guidance on the income requirement for their specific circumstances.
In addition, applicants must not have been convicted of or be under suspicion for any offences that could disqualify them from obtaining a permanent permit. Applications must be submitted before the current continuous residence permit expires.
Legit.ng has also published residency years for foreigners who want to become Qatari citizens. In a related report, Australia's Department of Home Affairs outlined the residence requirement foreigners must meet before applying for citizenship, specifying that applicants must have lived in Australia on a valid visa for a number of years before applying, with rules on time spent outside Australia.
