Finland could introduce 10-year passports as early as 2027 if a reform being prepared at the Ministry of the Interior is approved. The change would require updates to legislation and systems. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is investigating how passport and identity card services abroad can be renewed.
During the current year, the ministry is assessing whether it is possible to receive applications digitally and whether it is cost-effective. An electronic application would not remove the requirement to appear in person at a diplomatic mission. The introduction of a 10-year passport would still require a personal visit to an authority in Finland or abroad.
During the current year, we assess whether it is possible to receive applications digitally and whether it is cost-effective.
A Finnish passport currently costs 235 euros when applied for abroad, and less than 50 euros in Finland. Many other Nordic and European countries offer the same service abroad for about 100–170 euros. According to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the price is based on the self-cost principle, but the actual price has been kept lower than the self-cost price.
The ministry justifies the price partly with Finland's extensive service network abroad. The transition to 10-year passports in Finland will likely increase the passport price, but it is still unclear by how much. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs stated that the goal is to arrange passport and identity card services abroad as favorably as possible and strive to dampen cost pressure.
An electronic application would not remove the requirement to appear in person at a diplomatic mission.
The introduction of 10-year passports will likely increase the price compared to today, according to the Ministry of the Interior in Finland.
The actual price has been kept lower than the self-cost price.
Some other countries have centralized passport services so that they are offered regionally, for example in one country for the entire Nordic and Baltic region.
They strive to dampen cost pressure.