Finland to introduce citizenship test in March 2027
Finland will require a new citizenship test for applicants starting in March 2027, as part of reforms to the Citizenship Act. The test, designed to assess knowledge of Finnish society, will apply to working-age individuals aged 18–65 who submit their applications from 1 March onward. Those who apply before this date will not be required to take the test, according to the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) (Yle).
The test will evaluate applicants’ understanding of Finland’s fundamental principles, including key legislation, human rights, equality, and Finnish history and culture. It will be conducted electronically in Finnish or Swedish. Exemptions will be granted to individuals who have completed a Finnish- or Swedish-language matriculation examination or a higher education degree in Finland. Exceptions may also be made for other compelling reasons (Daily Finland).
The University of Helsinki won the competitive tender to develop the test, with funding of approximately €800,000 allocated for its preparation. The university will produce learning materials and oversee the test’s development over the next four years, though it will not be involved in administering the test itself. Migri will handle the test’s organisation and address applicants’ questions (Daily Finland).
Test reflects broader European trends
The introduction of the citizenship test aligns with a broader trend across Europe, where countries such as Denmark, Norway, Germany, and Estonia already require similar assessments. Sweden is also set to introduce its own test this month (Yle). About half of EU member states currently require applicants to demonstrate civic knowledge through a test or other means (Daily Finland).
The Finnish government, led by Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen (Finns Party), has framed the test as a way to ensure applicants are successfully integrated into Finnish society and familiar with its values. However, the measure has drawn criticism from some lawmakers. MPs Anna Kontula (Left Alliance) and Alviina Alametsä (Green League) argued in a dissenting opinion that the test’s cost could place applicants in an unequal position and that passing it does not necessarily guarantee a genuine commitment to Finnish society (Yle).
The test’s development will involve a multidisciplinary team of experts from the University of Helsinki, supported by a steering group of doctoral-level scholars. Migri will provide further details on the test’s administration as the implementation date approaches.
