dual nationality question

[Meri-Tuuli]

I am wondering whether any children I have will be able to obtain Finnish nationality.

Basically I am a dual national, i.e. half Finnish, half British.

If I give birth to a child in the UK with a British father, will my child automatically get Finnish nationality (as well as British nationality) i.e. become a dual nationality like me?

I know the law says that if the mother is Finnish, then the child will automatically recieve Finnish citizenship, but what happens if the mother is a dual national and the child is born outside of Finland? Someone said that dual nationals can't pass on their both their citizenships.

[flyingyellowpig]

Well,based on what I know and the experience what I have,I think Yes.They will get the Finnish citizenship automatically.I know that based on my daughter's situation.My wife is a Finn and I am Brazilian.My daughter was born in here and have got the Finnish citizenship automatically.
Also I have a friend at work that the mother is Finnish and the father is Brazilian too.He was born in Brazil and have got the Finnish citizenship too.

[Rosamunda]

My kids were denied Finnish citizenship when they were born because I was not married to their father and they were born in France (I'm British, father's Finnish). But the law has changed since then and I believe (am not 100% sure) that they would have eventually got Finnish citizenship even if we had not moved here. They were given Finnish citizenship automatically when we arrived in Finland (by then my SO and I had married).

It is possible though that your children (if they are born in UK) will not be able to pass their Finnish citizenship on to their kids (ie your grandchildren). I know that my grandchildren (if I ever have any) will not get British citizenship automatically if they are born outside the UK.

[Meri-Tuuli]

Thanks for the replies!

Its complicated, isn't it?

Anyway well, I assume that my children will get my Finnish nationality (along with British nationality) simply because if the automatic 'if the mother is Finnish at birth' law. However, I think that to keep their Finnish nationality, they will have to 'prove' significant ties with Finland still (if living outside of Finland), when they reach 18-21 I think and do military service etc.

Assuming the laws stay the same, and I have a girl, and she has a child, she'll be in the same situation as me, and would therefore be able keep the Finnish nationality for her child. Simply because of this right at birth if the mother is Finnish. But its abit less clear with the father thing. Oh well!

Anyone know any different?

[Rip]

Finnish citizenship law, "semi-official" translation provided by Finnish government:
http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset ... 030359.pdf

Relevant points for you:

Chapter 2
Finnish citizenship by birth
Section 9
Children
(1) A child acquires Finnish citizenship by birth if:
1) the mother is a Finnish citizen;

(that should answer one of your questions)

Section 34
Retaining citizenship at the age of 22
(1) A Finnish citizen who also holds the citizenship of a foreign State retains Finnish citizenship
at the age of 22 years only if he or she has a sufficient connection with Finland.
(2) A sufficient connection is deemed to exist, if:
1) the person was born in Finland and his or her municipality of residence referred to in
the Municipality of Residence Act (201/1994) is in Finland when he or she reaches the
age of 22 years;
2) the person’s municipality of residence has been in Finland or he or she has been
permanently resident and domiciled in Iceland, Norway, Sweden or Denmark for a
minimum of seven years in all before he or she has reached the age of 22 years; or
3) the person has, after reaching the age of 18 but before reaching the age of 22 years:
a) given notice in writing to a Finnish diplomatic mission or a consulate headed by a
career consul or the Register Office of his or her wish to retain Finnish
citizenship;
b) been issued with a Finnish passport; or
c) completed military or civil service in Finland.