Children’s and youths’ rights and obligations

9 months

• Right:
  • A child can start in early childhood education (varhaiskasvatus).

6 years

• Right and obligation:
  • A child must attend pre-primary education.
  • A child can start school with special permission.

7 years

• Right and obligation:
  • Children have a right to go to school. Education is compulsory in Finland. In special cases, a child can start school later.

12 years

• Right:
  • A child’s first or last name cannot be changed without his or her consent.
  • A child cannot be affiliated with a religion without his or her consent. The child’s permission is also required for leaving a religion.
  • If a child’s parents separate, the child has the right to see both of his or her parents. The child’s opinion must be taken into account at the latest by the age of 12. If the child does not wish to see one of his or her parents, the child has the right to express his or her opinion. The child’s opinion must also be taken into consideration when deciding which parent the child will live with.
  • If there are problems in the family, a child can request for foster care themselves. Foster care means that a child does not live with his or her parents but elsewhere.
• Obligation:
  • A child can no longer ride a bicycle on the pavement.

14 years

• Right:
  • A youth can engage in light work for a few hours a day, if it does not hinder his or her health or school going. The youth has the right to rest, play and have free time. A guardian’s signature is required for the youth’s contract of employment.

15 years

• Right:
  • A youth can enter into a contract of employment themselves. Parents can, however, dissolve the agreement of a youth under the age of 18, if the youth has not told them about the job.
  • A youth can open a bank account and to control the capital he or she has earned through working.
  • A youth can take a test for a driving licence that allows him or her to drive a moped or a tractor.
  • A youth can carry a child under 10 years of age on a bicycle.
  • A youth can join a religion or leave one on his or her parents’ written permission.
• Obligation:
  • A youth is responsible for the crimes he or she has committed. If a youth commits a crime, he or she may be prosecuted and sentenced for it. Even children younger than this must compensate for the damages they have caused.

16 years

Children’s sexual age of consent is 16 years. This means that sexual activity with a person under the age of 16 is a crime. However, a sexual relationship between two youths who are at the same level of development is not a crime. Buying sexual services from a person who is under 18 years of age is a crime.

Adults must protect children from sexual harassment. No one is allowed to persuade or force a child to have sex.

• Right:
  • A youth can take a test for a driving licence that allows him or her to drive a light motorcycle.

17 years

• Right:
  • A youth can apply for Kela’s financial aid for students. Their guardian’s income may, however, affect the amount of this aid and whether it is granted in the first place.
  • Guardians will no longer be paid child benefit.

18 years

When a youth reaches the age of 18, he or she is considered to be of age. This is when they can, for example, get married, acquire a driving licence and decide how to use their own possessions. The youth’s compulsory education also ends when he or she turns 18.

If an 18-year-old has lived in Finland for long enough, he or she can apply for Finnish citizenship by means of a citizenship notification (kansalaisuusilmoitus). Read more on the InfoFinland page Finnish citizenship.

Read more about the rights and obligations of people over the age of 18 on the InfoFinland web page Your rights and obligations in Finland.