The law is passed: Parliament adopted the amendments to the Nationality Act on 10 June 2026 and the President confirmed them on 16 June 2026. The changes take effect on 1 January 2027, and the test is required for citizenship applications submitted on or after 1 March 2027. The number of questions, time limit, pass mark and fee have not been published yet; the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has said more information will follow.
For years, Finland was one of the few Nordic countries without a knowledge test for new citizens. That ends in 2027. Here is what has been confirmed so far, what is still open, and what we can reasonably expect.
What is confirmed
- Start date. Applications submitted on or after 1 March 2027 require a passed test (or one of the accepted alternatives). Applications submitted by 28 February 2027 are processed under the old rules.
- Who takes it. Applicants aged 18 to 64.
- Language. The test is taken in Finnish or Swedish – not in English.
- How. It is an electronic test, and it is not free of charge.
- Organiser. The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) runs the test. According to Yle, the University of Helsinki prepares the learning material and the test.
- Content. Key legislation that shapes everyday life in Finland, fundamental and human rights, Finnish history and culture, and equality, including gender equality.
- Study material. The test will be based on publicly available learning material, published well before the first test. Everyone gets the same material.
What is not known yet
The number of questions, the time limit, the pass mark, the fee and the way you register have not been announced. Until they are, any number you see online – including on practice sites – is an estimate.
What other countries do
Finland's neighbours give an idea of the range. Denmark's citizenship test has 45 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes, and you need 36 correct answers. Sweden is introducing a civics test for new citizens as well. Across Europe, tests typically have 20 to 45 questions, a time limit of 30 to 45 minutes and a pass mark of around 70 to 80 per cent. Finland's model may differ, but practising at that level is a sensible starting point.
The language question
Because the test is in Finnish or Swedish, you need to understand questions about society written in one of those languages. Citizenship already requires satisfactory Finnish or Swedish (usually level 3 in the YKI test), so most applicants will have that level anyway. It still helps to learn the key terms – eduskunta, perustuslaki, tasa-arvo – in the language you will test in.
How to use the time until March 2027
The topics are known, even if the exact format is not. You can build solid knowledge of Finnish society, history and rights now, and switch to the official material once it is published. Our practice questions by topic and the 25-question practice test are a good place to begin.