Finland is developing a new citizenship test
Finland will introduce a new requirement for those seeking citizenship. Starting March 2, 2027, applicants between the ages of 18 and 65 will be required to take an online exam on Finnish society, its laws, human rights, and culture.
Finland is developing a new exam for people applying for citizenship. It will assess how well applicants know the country and the fundamental principles of its social system. The new requirement will take effect on March 2, 2027. Those who apply for citizenship before that date will not be required to take the exam.
The exam is being developed by the University of Helsinki, which won a competition held by the Finnish Immigration Service. The test will focus on basic knowledge of life and the structure of the country. In particular, applicants will be asked about Finnish legislation, fundamental human rights, and the principle of equality.
The exam will also include questions on Finnish history and culture. Thus, prospective citizens must demonstrate not only language proficiency but also an understanding of how Finnish society functions.
The exam will be administered electronically. It can be taken in Finnish or Swedish—Finland’s two official languages. The new requirement will apply to people of working age—between 18 and 65 years old. At the same time, an exception has been made for some applicants. Those who have graduated from high school or a higher education institution where instruction was conducted in Finnish or Swedish will not be required to take the exam.
The government has allocated approximately 800,000 euros for the creation of the new test and preparation for it. According to the Finnish Immigration Service, the University of Helsinki will use these funds to prepare educational materials, develop the exam itself, and update and improve it as needed over the course of four years.
Thus, starting in the spring of 2027, obtaining Finnish citizenship will involve an additional step. In addition to meeting other requirements for citizenship, some applicants will have to demonstrate their knowledge of Finland through a special test. This was reported by Yle.
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