Täysiikäisyyteen

Täysiikäisyys, or adulthood, is a legal concept that refers to the moment a person is regarded as an adult in Finnish law. The illative form täysiikäisyyteen denotes movement toward or attainment of that state. In everyday use it marks the transition from being a minor to having full legal capacity.

In Finland the age of majority is 18. When a person reaches this age, they generally acquire full civil capacity, and guardianship or parental consent for ordinary legal acts ends for the majority of people. A person who is 18 or older can usually enter into contracts, manage their finances, and make many personal and legal decisions without a guardian. At the same time, majority also comes with full responsibility for one’s actions under civil and criminal law. Some rights, duties, and protections are tied to adulthood, such as eligibility to vote in elections.

There are situations where guardianship or protective arrangements may still apply to mature individuals who, due to disability or other circumstances, require support in managing their affairs. Emancipation or other legal mechanisms can influence a person’s capacity in specific cases, but such arrangements are not the default for all who reach 18.

Universally, täysiikäisyys represents the point when a person gains the broadest set of legal rights and responsibilities in everyday life, though the exact scope can vary across contexts and may be subject to exceptional arrangements.