A citizenship test, stemming from the Citizenship Act currently under reform, will be introduced in March 2027.
The University of Helsinki won the competitive tendering for Finnish universities on developing the citizenship test. The tendering was organised by the Finnish Immigration Service. Among the Nordic countries, Denmark and Norway already require a citizenship test, and Sweden is in the process of introducing one. Approximately half of the EU Member States require applicants to demonstrate civic knowledge through a citizenship test or other means.
The Finnish citizenship test will be developed by a wide-ranging, multidisciplinary group of experts from the University of Helsinki in collaboration among several fields and faculties. Their work will be supported by a steering group of doctoral-level scholars.
The citizenship test is based on the Citizenship Act under reform
The University of Helsinki will not be involved in administering or organising the test. The Finnish Immigration Service will answer questions pertaining to the organisation of the test as well as any questions by citizenship applicants.
Following the amendment of the Citizenship Act, the test will be required of applicants aged between 18 and 64 who submit their citizenship applications on and after 1 March 2027. Applicants who have completed a Finnish- or Swedish-language matriculation examination or a Finnish- or Swedish-language university degree in Finland are exempted from the test. An exemption can also be granted for other highly compelling reasons.
