Finland to introduce citizenship test from March next year

Finland will introduce citizenship test from March 2027 as the amendments to the Citizenship Act will enter into force on 1 January, said Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) on Friday.

In the future, applicants for Finnish citizenship need to meet the new requirement for civic knowledge, in addition to other requirements such as the language skills and sufficient financial resources.

There is a transitional period for the legislative amendments from 1 January to 28 February 2027. The citizenship test will apply to for the applicants who will submit application on or after March 2027.

Alternatively, civic knowledge can also be demonstrated by completing the matriculation examination in Finnish or Swedish, or by completing a Finnish- or Swedish-language higher education degree in Finland.

The requirement will only apply to persons between the ages of 18 and 64 who apply for Finnish citizenship with a citizenship application.

In some situations, it is possible to derogate from the requirement for civic knowledge due to state of health, disability or other very serious reason.

The Migri is responsible for the official duties related to the citizenship test and the University of Helsinki, will prepare the learning material and questions for the citizenship test.

The questions in the citizenship test will be based on self-study learning material that will be published on the website of the Migri at the turn of the year. The questions will cover topics such as key legislation on Finnish society, fundamental and human rights, equality, gender equality, Finnish history and culture and other key topics included in the learning material for the citizenship test.

The citizenship test is a computer-based multiple-choice test taken in test sessions that are organised in several different locations. The test can be taken in Finnish or Swedish. The test is subject to a fee. The test result does not expire, which means that it remains valid even if anyone does not submit a citizenship application until later.

In some cases, applicants can ask, in advance, for special arrangements for taking the test. Special arrangements may be granted, for example, due to illness, disability, or special difficulties in reading and writing. If anyone is unable to read or write, the person cans take the citizenship test as an oral test.

The Migri will organise 6 to 10 test sessions per year in different parts of Finland on national test days.

In 2027, test sessions will be organised in the Helsinki capital region and in Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Kuopio, Vaasa and Rovaniemi.

Earlier in June 2026, the parliament approved the government proposal to introduce a citizenship test.

On April 16, 2026, the four-party alliance government led by conservative Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) submitted the proposal to Parliament to introduce a citizenship test.

Earlier on December 17, 2025, the new law, which tightened the requirements for acquiring Finnish citizenship entered into force.

On October 15, 2025, the Parliament approved the government proposal to amend the Nationality Act further tightening the criteria for Finnish citizenship.

Earlier, in July 2024, the parliament passed the government proposal to bring legislative amendments extending the period of residence required for Finnish citizenship to eight years from the existing five years.

On June 16, 2023, leaders of the ruling parties announced the programme, which included tougher immigration, residence and citizenship laws.

The government tightened the immigration policy despite strong protest by different groups.

Separate demonstrations were held in Helsinki on June 27, 2023 and June 18,2023 protesting against the immigration policy taken by the government.

Several hundreds of people went on demonstrations in Helsinki in August, 2023 protesting against the move.