Citizenship in Åland

Åland is part of Finland, and Ålanders are Finnish citizens. The same rules on Finnish citizenship therefore apply in both Åland and Finland. Finnish citizenship can be obtained automatically at birth, through a citizenship declaration, or by applying to the Finnish Immigration Service. Citizenship usually requires permanent residence in Finland or Åland, sufficient knowledge of Finnish or Swedish, and integrity.

More information on Finnish citizenship, who can apply or make a declaration and the rules on dual citizenship can be found on page Finnish citizenship.

You can verify your identity at a Finnish Immigration Service service point after submitting an application for e.g. Finnish citizenship, a residence permit, EU registration, a travel document or a residence permit card.

The Finnish Immigration Service does not have a permanent presence in Åland, but it receives booked customers and applications approximately every six to seven weeks at the State Department of Åland in Mariehamn. You can also visit any of the Finnish Immigration Service’s service points in mainland Finland. To make an appointment, use the Finnish Immigration Service’s booking service. More information is available on the webpage Service points of the Finnish Immigration Service.

To be eligible to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the Åland Parliament, conduct business, and to own land or property in Åland, right of domicile is required. Right of domicile is granted to anyone under the age of 18 who has a parent with right of domicile. This means that children born with their municipality of residence in Åland who have at least one parent with right of domicile are granted right of domicile at birth. Right of domicile can also be granted by the Government of Åland on application. To be eligible to apply for right of domicile, you must always have Finnish citizenship, reside in Åland and have satisfactory command of Swedish. Read more on the page Åland right of domicile. 

Persons born in Åland or Finnish citizens who moved to Åland before the age of 12 and with right of domicile are exempt from Finnish military service.

Åland is demilitarised and neutral. This means, among other things, that no military forces may be stationed on Åland and that, in the event of war, Åland must be left out of the hostilities. Under the terms of the neutrality, Finland is required to defend Åland against attack. More information is available on the webpage Questions and answers about the demilitarisation of Åland 

On the Info Norden website you can find information about citizenship in the other Nordic countries and contact details for the authorities that can answer questions.