Finland to introduce citizenship test in 2027 under tightened nationality rules

Finland will introduce a citizenship test from early 2027 as part of a broader overhaul of its nationality laws aimed at tightening the conditions for acquiring Finnish citizenship, the Interior Ministry said.

The new requirement will assess applicants’ knowledge of Finnish society, including legislation, fundamental and human rights, equality, gender equality, as well as Finland’s history and culture.

“The reforms encourage people to integrate, work and comply with the rules of Finnish society. Finnish citizenship does not come automatically,” Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said in a statement.

The amendments to the Citizenship Act were approved by the President of the Republic on June 16 and will enter into force at the beginning of 2027, following the completion of necessary legislative procedures.

Under the new system, applicants will be able to demonstrate civic knowledge either by passing a computer-based citizenship test or by completing a Finnish- or Swedish-language matriculation examination or holding a university degree.

The test will be based on publicly available preparatory materials designed to ensure transparency and equal access for applicants. It will be administered in Finnish or Swedish.

The Finnish Immigration Service will oversee the new requirement and is expected to commission an external body, such as a university, to develop the test.

The citizenship test forms the final stage of a wider reform that has already tightened requirements on residence periods, integrity and financial self-sufficiency for applicants.

According to the ministry, around half of EU member states require some form of civic knowledge test for citizenship applicants. Denmark and Norway already operate similar systems among the Nordic countries.

By Aghakazim Guliyev