Finland's citizenship test: required for applications from 1 March 2027
Finland is adding a citizenship test to its naturalisation rules. The amended Citizenship Act (law 552/2026) takes effect on 1 January 2027, and the new requirement applies to applications submitted on or after 1 March 2027. Applicants aged 18 to 64 must show sufficient knowledge of Finnish society, and you must pass the test before you submit the application.
It does not replace the language requirement. You still need at least satisfactory oral and written Finnish or Swedish, usually shown by a YKI certificate. Everything below was read on 21 October 2026 on migri.fi: the Finnish Immigration Service's press release of 17 June 2026, its bulletin of 9 October 2026, its page on the 2027 amendments and its page on citizenship for adults.
Who needs it, and the transition
Applicants aged 18 to 64. The rules take effect on 1 January 2027, with a transitional period from 1 January to 28 February 2027. An application submitted on or before 28 February 2027, in Enter Finland or at a service point, is processed under the current Act. Migri adds a trap: an Enter Finland application made before 1 March is not protected if its identity-proofing appointment falls after that date.
Two alternatives replace the test: a matriculation examination taken in Finnish or Swedish in Finland, or a Finnish- or Swedish-language higher education degree completed in Finland. The requirement can be waived for reasons of health, disability or another very serious reason, and Migri gives a significant, long-term medical reason as the example.
What the test is
A computer-based multiple-choice test, taken on site at test sessions, in Finnish or Swedish. People who cannot read or write may take an oral test, and special arrangements such as extra time are possible for illness or disability.
The topics: key legislation governing life in Finland, fundamental and human rights, equality including gender equality, and Finnish history and culture. The questions are based on learning material Migri will publish on its website, the same for every applicant; the 9 October bulletin says it will appear at the turn of the year.
Most of the answers must be correct to pass. Migri has not published a number of questions or a pass mark. The test is subject to a fee, amount not yet published, and the result does not expire.
Where and when
In 2027 there will be 6 to 10 sessions a year, in the Helsinki capital region, Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Kuopio, Vaasa and Rovaniemi. Migri says the first test is expected in March 2027, and that test dates and registration times will be published at the turn of the year at the latest.
Our reading: with a handful of sessions a year in seven cities and the test required before you apply, the test date, not the application form, may decide when you can apply. If you can apply under the current rules by 28 February 2027, that window closes first.
The rest of the application
For applications from 1 October 2024, Migri asks that you have lived in Finland for the past 8 years, with shorter periods in some cases. The language requirement is satisfactory oral and written skills in Finnish, Swedish, Finnish Sign Language or Finland-Swedish Sign Language, shown by a certificate before you apply. The fee is €550 online, €650 on paper.
How Finland's language rule compares with other countries' is in our citizenship requirements table.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Submitting a citizenship application in spring 2027 and planning to take the test afterwards.
Passing the test first, then applying.
Migri: you must pass the test before you submit a citizenship application.
Treating the test as a language exam.
Preparing it from Migri's published learning material, in Finnish or Swedish, on top of your YKI.
It tests knowledge of Finnish society; the language requirement stays separate.
Starting an Enter Finland application in late February 2027 with a March identity appointment.
Booking the identity-proofing appointment before 1 March as well.
Migri says such applications are not covered by the old rules if the appointment is after that date.
Questions
When does Finland's citizenship test start?
The amendments take effect on 1 January 2027 and apply to applications submitted on or after 1 March 2027. Migri expects the first test in March 2027.
Who has to take the Finnish citizenship test?
Applicants aged 18 to 64, unless they completed a Finnish- or Swedish-language matriculation exam or higher education degree in Finland, or are exempted for health, disability or another very serious reason.
What is on the Finnish citizenship test?
Key legislation, fundamental and human rights, equality including gender equality, and Finnish history and culture, based on learning material Migri will publish. It is multiple choice, on a computer, in Finnish or Swedish.
Does the citizenship test result expire?
No. Migri says the test result does not expire.
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