Recognition through a written application
The law entered into force on 3 April 2023. Adults with Finnish citizenship or residence in Finland could apply to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency, explaining their enduring experience of gender. Applicants had to confirm the request no earlier than 30 days after submitting it. [3]
Campaigners insist on children’s rights
Seta chair Pekka Rantala welcomed adults’ greater self-determination but said: “It is vital that work continues to secure minors’ rights.” Seta called for further assessment and preparation of reforms concerning children. The adopted system applied only to adults, leaving a central demand of trans-rights campaigners unresolved. [3]
A long campaign changes the rules
Amnesty’s Matti Pihlajamaa credited more than a decade of civil-society campaigning. The organisation welcomed the improvement while also objecting to the exclusion of children. Its earlier international campaign had gathered over 347,000 signatures, illustrating the sustained public pressure behind the parliamentary decision. [1]