English-language upper secondary education in Finland is coming into effect from August 2026. This decision follows a new law passed to make Finland more welcoming for international professionals and to help Finnish families returning from abroad. It marks the first time the national school-leaving exams will be offered in a language other than Finnish or Swedish.
The reform is designed to support students already living in Finland who do not have strong enough skills in either of the country’s official languages. These students will be allowed to study and complete their matriculation exams entirely in English.
But this new education path is not open to everyone. It will only be available to students who are already living in Finland before applying. The law does not extend this right to non-EU citizens coming to Finland just for study.
Schools that want to offer this program must apply to the Ministry of Education. They also need to develop full curriculums that follow the national education framework. The first intake of students will start in 2026. English-language matriculation exams will be introduced in 2028.
Petri Lehikoinen, head of education at the Finnish National Agency for Education, says the plan serves two purposes. It helps make Finland more attractive for skilled international workers with families, and it gives returning Finnish citizens more flexibility in reintegrating their children into the school system.
Up until now, matriculation exams have only been available in Finnish or Swedish. That has made things difficult for many families with children who do not speak either language fluently. The new option allows them to continue their studies without having to start over in a new language they may not understand.
However, not just anyone can sign up. Only students with proven lack of skills in Finnish and Swedish will qualify. There will be clear criteria written into law to determine who is eligible.
Most of these English-language programs will likely begin in larger cities. Schools in urban areas already have international student populations and the right infrastructure in place. According to Lehikoinen, those schools are in the best position to introduce the program and meet demand.
Alongside the new language path, the law also requires updates to special education and tutorial support systems across all upper secondary schools. These changes aim to create a more equal and flexible learning environment for every student, regardless of background.
This reform is part of a wider plan by the Ministry of Education and Culture to modernize education in Finland. The goal is not only to address gaps in the current system but to also reflect the needs of an increasingly international population. Time will tell how the law plays out in practice, but for many families, it’s a long-awaited step in the right direction.
