Finland’s government has put forward a new proposal requiring citizenship applicants aged 18 to 64 to pass a mandatory test. The Interior Ministry recently released a draft report detailing how the test would work, focusing on applicants’ understanding of Finnish society, core values, and public safety.
According to the proposal, the test would be conducted digitally, featuring multiple-choice and true-or-false questions. Applicants would also need to pay a fee to take the test, though exemptions might be available for individuals unable to complete a digital exam.
What the Test Will Cover
The citizenship test would touch on several key areas:
- Civic Knowledge: Fundamental rights, responsibilities, and the structure of Finland’s political and legal systems.
- Cultural Understanding: Finnish history, geography, social customs, and digital skills.
- National Defense: Finland’s conscription system and overall defense policies.
In addition to the digital exam, applicants would need to attend a personal interview to discuss Finnish values and national security. Language proficiency in either Finnish or Swedish might be tested as part of the exam or through a separate assessment.
How It Would Be Implemented
The government expects around 5,000 to 10,000 people to take the test each year. Testing could take place at educational institutions, private testing centers, or Immigration Service offices.
The proposal outlines three potential ways to integrate the test into the citizenship process:
Civic Knowledge as a New Requirement: The test would be an additional requirement alongside the current language proficiency standard.
Test Replacing Language Requirement: Civic knowledge would replace the language test, but the exam itself would still be conducted in Finnish or Swedish.
Combined Test: A two-part assessment covering both language skills and civic knowledge.
The working group behind the proposal also suggested that applicants might bypass the test if they’ve completed equivalent education. A list of qualifying courses would be established. Exemptions could also be granted for health reasons.
Part of a Broader Immigration Policy
This move aligns with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government policy aimed at tightening citizenship requirements. Alongside the test, the government plans to introduce stricter income and residency rules for applicants.
A formal bill is expected to reach Parliament later this year, where lawmakers will decide how the test fits into Finland’s naturalization process.
