Residence permit card renewal in Finland
A new residence permit card costs 60 EUR online, 105 EUR on paper and 140 EUR for a lost card in 2026. Apply in Finland; an expiring permit needs an extension.
You renew a residence permit card in Finland by applying for a new card in Enter Finland or at a Migri service point, and in 2026 it costs 60 euros online, 105 euros on paper and 140 euros if the old card was lost or stolen, according to the Finnish Immigration Service's processing fees page. A new card is the right application only when the permit behind it stays valid, for example a permanent residence permit, whose card Migri says on its residence permit card page must be renewed every five years. If your temporary permit is about to expire, you apply for an extended permit instead, and you get a new card if it is granted.
Who this applies to
- Permanent residence permit holders (P) whose card is about to expire: apply for a new card. The permit itself does not need renewing.
- Holders of a continuous (A) or temporary (B) permit whose permit is ending: apply for an extended permit. The new card comes with the positive decision.
- Any permit holder whose card is lost, stolen, worn out, or shows personal data that has changed: apply for a new card.
- Holders of a permanent permit sticker in a passport that is about to expire: apply for a card.
Situations that need a new card
Migri's renewal of a residence permit card page lists these situations:
- you have a permanent residence permit and your card is about to expire
- your card has been lost or stolen
- your card is so worn that its information cannot be read
- your personal data has changed, for example after you renewed your passport
- you have a permanent residence permit sticker in a passport that is about to expire
The card contains a chip with biometric identifiers, a facial image and two fingerprints, which is why a card is valid for at most five years even when the permit has no end date.
Legal status of the card
The card is proof of your right of residence in Finland. Migri states it is not an official identity document, so you cannot use it to prove your identity. Migri also warns that residing in Finland without a valid residence permit card may be a violation of the Aliens Act, and the police may fine you for it.
Three application routes
- In Enter Finland, possibly without a service point visit. Log in with strong electronic identification (online banking codes, mobile certificate or citizen certificate). Add the photograph retrieval code you get from a photo shop for a digital passport photo, and pay the fee before submitting. A visit is always required if you are renewing the card because your name has changed.
- In Enter Finland, followed by a service point visit. Submit the application online and book an appointment at a Migri service point to prove your identity and give fingerprints. You can pay at the visit if you did not pay online.
- At a service point only. If you cannot use Enter Finland, you apply, give fingerprints and pay at the service point.
You can only renew your residence permit card in Finland.
Documents for the service point visit
- a valid passport
- a passport photo no more than six months old, or a photograph retrieval code from a photo shop
- copies of your passport's personal data page and all pages with entries
- the written consent of all guardians when applying for a child, if not all guardians attend
- a police report if your card was lost or stolen
A child under 18 attends the appointment in person with a parent or guardian.
Fees in 2026
Migri's processing fees page lists these fees:
| Application | Fee |
|---|---|
| New card, online application | 60 EUR |
| New card, paper application | 105 EUR |
| Replacement for a lost or stolen card, online or paper | 140 EUR |
The online route saves 45 euros over paper for an ordinary renewal. For a lost or stolen card, the fee is the same on both routes.
Delivery and collection
Migri states that the card is sent to a collection point near you within two weeks of the decision. You receive a notification of arrival by email and text message with the consignment number and the last day for collection. Another person can collect the card for you with your notification of arrival, without a power of attorney.
A card lost or stolen abroad
Report a lost or stolen card to the police. If it happens outside Finland, also report it to the local authorities. Migri states that if your card is lost or stolen abroad but your residence permit in Finland is still valid, you can apply for a D visa at a Finnish mission so that you can return to Finland. You then apply for the new card in Finland, and the 140 euro replacement fee applies.
Card expiry versus permit expiry
The most common mistake is applying for a new card when the permit is the thing that is ending. A new card does not extend a temporary permit. Migri advises applying for an extended permit about three months before your current permit expires (about two months for work-based permits), and no later than its last day of validity. If you apply in time, your right to reside and work stays the same while the application is processed.
Look at the card itself: it shows the permit type (A for continuous, B for temporary, P for permanent) and the expiry date. Migri's residence permit card page states that the period of validity of your residence permit is printed on the card, so on an A or B card the action is an extended permit application. On a P card, the date is the card's own end date, so the action is a new card.
The article on how to get a residence permit for Finland covers the first application. If the permit itself is expiring, see residence permit extension in Finland.
The law behind it
Residence permits and residence permit cards are governed by the Aliens Act (ulkomaalaislaki 301/2004). The Finnish-language consolidated text is the current version.
The date that matters falls on the expiry date printed on your card: from the day after, you are residing without a valid card, which Migri says may lead to a police fine, so apply before that date.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to renew a residence permit card in Finland?
An ordinary renewal costs 60 euros through Enter Finland and 105 euros on a paper form. A card that was lost or stolen costs 140 euros to replace, according to Migri's fee list.
When must a permanent residence permit card be renewed?
Every five years. The permanent permit has no end date, so you apply for a card only, as Migri's residence permit card page explains.
Can someone else collect my residence permit card?
Yes. Hand them your notification of arrival and they can pick up the card without a power of attorney, according to Migri.
What should I do if my residence permit card is lost abroad?
File a report with the local authorities, then apply for a D visa at a Finnish mission if your permit is still valid. Back in Finland, you apply for the replacement card, as Migri describes.
Is a residence permit card an ID document in Finland?
No. It shows your right to live in Finland, and Migri states it cannot be used to prove who you are. Carry a passport or another identity document for that.
Sources
- Finnish Immigration Service, Renewal of a residence permit card, checked 1 October 2026
- Finnish Immigration Service, Residence permit card, checked 1 October 2026
- Finnish Immigration Service, Processing fees and payment methods, checked 1 October 2026
- Finnish Immigration Service, Extended permit, checked 1 October 2026
- Finlex, Aliens Act 301/2004, checked 1 October 2026
Last updated: October 2026