Finland has two national languages, Finnish and Swedish, and you can use either one to qualify for citizenship. From 2027 the language matters twice: once for the language requirement, and again because the citizenship test itself is in Finnish or Swedish.
What level you need
You need satisfactory oral and written skills. In practice this means level 3 (intermediate, roughly B1) in the National Certificates of Language Proficiency, known as YKI. You need level 3 in an oral skill – speaking or listening comprehension – and in a written skill – writing or reading comprehension.
About the YKI test
- It is organised at several levels; for citizenship you take the intermediate test (levels 3–4).
- It has four parts: reading, listening, writing and speaking.
- Tests are held several times a year around Finland, and places fill up quickly – register early.
Other ways to show your language skills
Finnish school and university qualifications can also count – for example a completed basic or upper secondary education in Finnish or Swedish, or certain language studies at a Finnish university. Migri lists the accepted certificates.
The language of the citizenship test
The citizenship test is taken in Finnish or Swedish. If you passed YKI in Finnish, it usually makes sense to take the citizenship test in Finnish too. Learn the civic vocabulary early: words like perusoikeudet (fundamental rights), vaalit (elections), hyvinvointialue (wellbeing services county).
Tips that work
- Read simple news every day: Yle Selkouutiset in Finnish or Yle Klartext in Swedish.
- Practise civic topics in English first, then repeat the same topics in Finnish or Swedish.
- Use the language at work, in hobbies and with neighbours – it is the fastest way to pass the oral part.