Finnish citizenship test: what it is and who has to take it

Quick answers

What is the Finnish citizenship test?

A multiple-choice test of your knowledge of Finnish society. Passing it is one way to meet the new knowledge of society requirement for citizenship.

Who has to take the test?

Applicants aged 18–64 who submit a citizenship application on or after 1 March 2027. A Finnish- or Swedish-language matriculation exam or higher education degree completed in Finland replaces the test.

In which language is the test?

Finnish or Swedish. The test is taken electronically, unless there is an obstacle to that.

When are the first tests?

Migri will start holding tests in spring 2027. The first test dates will be published by the turn of the year at the latest.

How much does the test cost?

The law says a fee will be charged. The amount has not been published yet.

The citizenship test (kansalaisuuskoe) is a new test for people applying for Finnish citizenship. The Nationality Act (kansalaisuuslaki) changes on 1 January 2027. After that, applicants must show that they know Finnish society. This guide explains who has to take the test, what it is like and what is not known yet.

Kansalaisuuskurssi is an independent course. All information comes from the Finnish Immigration Service (Maahanmuuttovirasto, Migri), the Finnish Government and the text of the law. The sources are at the bottom of the page.

What is the citizenship test?

The Nationality Act gets a new condition, the knowledge of society requirement (yhteiskuntatietoedellytys). It means that you have sufficient knowledge of Finnish society. The change enters into force on 1 January 2027 (Act 552/2026).

The citizenship test is one way to show this knowledge. Under the law, the test checks basic knowledge of how Finnish society works. It also checks knowledge of a person’s rights and obligations.

Under the law, the questions cover these topics:

• key Finnish legislation
• fundamental and human rights
• equality (yhdenvertaisuus), which means that people are treated in the same way
• gender equality (sukupuolten tasa-arvo)
• Finnish history and culture
• other key facts in the study material for the test.

Who has to take the citizenship test?

The requirement applies to applicants aged 18–64. The law says it does not apply to people under 18 or to people who have turned 65.

The requirement applies to applications submitted on or after 1 March 2027. Under the transitional provision, it does not apply to applications made within two months of the law entering into force. If your application is already pending on 1 January 2027, the old rules apply to it.

You can find all the conditions for citizenship in the guide Finnish citizenship requirements.

Who does not need the test?

You can also show your knowledge of society with a qualification. Under section 17 b of the law, you do not need the test if you have completed in Finland

• a Finnish- or Swedish-language matriculation examination (ylioppilastutkinto), or
• a Finnish- or Swedish-language higher education degree (korkeakoulututkinto).

The law does not mention other qualifications, for example a vocational qualification.

You can also get citizenship without the knowledge of society requirement if your health or a disability prevents it in the long term. Another very serious reason can also be enough.

What is the test like?

• It is a multiple-choice test (monivalintakoe). You choose the right answer from ready-made options.
• The test is in Finnish or Swedish.
• The test is taken electronically, unless there is an obstacle to that.
• The questions are based on study material that everyone can access.

The study material is based on the civic orientation material (yhteiskuntaorientaatio). Civic orientation is an information package offered to people who are settling in Finland. It covers living and working in Finland and how society works (Act on the Promotion of Integration 681/2023, section 25).

Migri says the self-study material will be published on Migri’s website. Read more in the news item study material published at the turn of the year.

Who writes and runs the test?

The University of Helsinki (Helsingin yliopisto) writes the test questions and the study material. Migri chose the university through a tender. At the university, a working group of several experts does the work.

The Finnish Immigration Service is responsible for administering the test. It is also responsible for the practical arrangements, such as the test sessions and supervising them.

Where and when will the test be held?

Migri will start holding tests in spring 2027. According to Migri, you can take the test in these places:

• the Helsinki region (pääkaupunkiseutu)
• Tampere
• Turku
• Oulu
• Vaasa
• Kuopio
• Rovaniemi.

Migri will publish the schedule of the first test dates by the turn of the year at the latest. At the same time, it will publish the study material and web pages with instructions, for example on how to register for the test. Read more in the news item citizenship test at seven locations.

Does the test cost anything?

Yes. Under section 25 i of the law, Migri charges a test fee (koemaksu) from everyone who registers for the test. The amount is set by a decree of the Ministry of the Interior. The amount has not been published yet.

If you fall ill and cannot attend, you get the fee back. You must tell Migri about it before the test. Ask for the refund within 14 days of the test date.

Can I take the test with special arrangements?

Yes. Illness, disability, a specific difficulty with reading and writing or a similar reason may stop you from taking the test in the same way as others. Then you can take it with special arrangements (erityisjärjestelyt). Make a separate request to Migri. Migri decides on the arrangements.

Under the law, an applicant under 65 who cannot read and write can take the test orally. This is shown with a certificate from a Finnish or Swedish language teacher.

What happens if I fail?

If your test result is failed, you can ask Migri to review the decision (oikaisuvaatimus). There is a fee for handling the request. If Migri changes the decision and the test is passed, the fee is refunded.

Your test is also failed if you break the rules in the test session and do not stop when the supervisor tells you to. If you try to cheat, your test is failed and you lose the right to take part in a test for six months. If the cheating is repeated or otherwise especially serious, you lose the right for 12 months (section 25 h).

What is not known about the test yet?

This information had not been published on 21 October 2026:

• the price of the test
• the number of questions
• the test time
• the exact pass mark (the law only says that most of your answers must be correct, section 25 a)
• test dates and the registration schedule.

Be careful with websites that give exact numbers for these. We will update this guide when Migri publishes the information.

How can I prepare now?

The official study material will be published at the turn of the year. Right now you can practise Finnish or Swedish, because the test is in one of these languages. You can also read basic information about Finnish history, laws and rights, for example on InfoFinland.

Kansalaisuuskurssi is based on public sources. We will update the course to match Migri’s material when it is published. Our practice questions are our own, not Migri’s. You can find the steps of applying in the guide how to apply for Finnish citizenship.

Difficult words

knowledge of society requirement (yhteiskuntatietoedellytys)

the new condition for citizenship: you must have sufficient knowledge of Finnish society

multiple-choice test (monivalintakoe)

a test where you choose the right answer from ready-made options

special arrangements (erityisjärjestelyt)

changes to the test situation if illness or disability stops you from taking the test in the same way as others

test fee (koemaksu)

the fee you pay when you register for the test

request for a review (oikaisuvaatimus)

a request that the authority looks at its decision again