The Government submitted a proposal to the Parliament on 6 March, with the aim of tightening the conditions for family reunification. In line with the Government Programme, the Government proposed to introduce additional conditions permitted by the EU Family Reunification Directive on the following:
- the spouses' minimum age: If a residence permit is granted to a spouse on the basis of family ties, both spouses would need to be of a minimum age of 21 years. However, the minimum age requirement would not apply to a Finnish citizen whose spouse applies for a residence permit.
- the ability to provide for their own needs and the time they have stayed in the country: the Finnish Aliens Act should reintroduce a requirement for sufficient financial resources as a condition for granting a residence permit to a family member of a minor who has been given international protection.
- Introduction of a requirement for a minimum period of residence for sponsors who have been granted international protection. Beneficiaries of international protection would have to stay in Finland for two years before their family members could apply for family reunification.