Foreign residents applying for Finnish citizenship will face a new citizenship test from March 2027 as Finland introduces stricter requirements for becoming a citizen.
The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) announced on 9 October that preparations for the new test are underway, with the first examinations expected to take place in March next year.
The requirement will apply to applicants aged between 18 and 64 who submit their citizenship applications on or after 1 March 2027. Although the changes to Finland’s Citizenship Act take effect on 1 January, applications submitted during January and February will not be subject to the new civic knowledge requirement.
The test will assess applicants’ understanding of Finnish society, including legislation, fundamental and human rights, equality, gender equality, Finnish history and culture. It will be conducted as a multiple-choice examination in either Finnish or Swedish.
The University of Helsinki has been commissioned to develop the examination questions and learning materials. These will be made available free of charge on the Finnish Immigration Service website around the beginning of 2027, allowing applicants to prepare independently.
The first examinations will be organised in several Finnish cities, including Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Vaasa, Kuopio and Rovaniemi. The examination schedule and registration instructions will be published by the end of 2026.
Applicants who have completed a qualifying Finnish- or Swedish-language matriculation examination or higher education degree in Finland will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of Finnish society without taking the new test.
The citizenship test is the final stage of a broader reform of Finland’s citizenship legislation. Earlier changes have tightened requirements concerning residence periods, financial resources and applicants’ conduct.
According to Migri, approximately 46,600 citizenship applications were submitted between 2023 and 2025. The agency says earlier increases in applications have contributed to longer processing times.
For foreign residents who already meet the existing citizenship requirements, the transitional period provides an opportunity to apply before the new test requirement becomes applicable.
Further information is available on the “Finnish Immigration Service website”.
