What the test is
The Finnish citizenship test (kansalaisuuskoe) is a new requirement for most adults applying for Finnish citizenship. It was introduced by Act 552/2026, which amends the Nationality Act, was confirmed on 16 June 2026 and enters into force on 1 January 2027. The requirement applies to citizenship applications filed from 1 March 2027, so applicants have a two-month window to pass the test before filing. The test is administered by the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri), and the University of Helsinki has been selected to write the questions and the official study material in Finnish and Swedish.
The test is electronic and taken under supervision at a test venue. Questions are multiple-choice, and government communications also mention true/false items. You take the test in Finnish or Swedish; the language level is roughly B1. According to the draft government decree, which has not yet been issued and may still change, a test has 20–40 questions and you pass with at least 70 % correct. The duration, the fee and the exact test dates are not yet set; the fee will be cost-based, and fixed general test days several times a year are planned. Results are reported per topic area.
citizenship.fi is an independent preparation service. We are not affiliated with Migri or the University of Helsinki, and we have no access to the real test questions, which are secret by law. Our practice questions are original questions written by our team from publicly available material and organised into ten topic areas that follow the Finnish society orientation course the official study material is based on. Once the official study material is published, we will follow its structure.
The test at a glance
| Item | What is known | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Who administers it | The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri). The University of Helsinki writes the questions and the official study material. | Follow Migri for registration and test dates; the study material will come from the University of Helsinki. |
| Format | Electronic, supervised test at a test venue. Multiple-choice questions; true/false items have also been mentioned. | Practise on a screen and get used to eliminating wrong options. |
| Number of questions | 20–40 questions according to the draft decree, which has not yet been issued. | Our timed simulated tests use the same range. |
| Pass mark | At least 70 % correct according to the draft decree. | Aim comfortably above 70 % in practice so that an off day still passes. |
| Language and level | Finnish or Swedish, roughly level B1. The test is not offered in English. | Start reading and practising in Finnish early, even if you use the platform in English. |
| Fee | Not yet set. The fee will be cost-based. | Budget for a fee and check Migri for the final amount. |
| Schedule | The law enters into force on 1 January 2027 and applies to applications filed from 1 March 2027. Fixed general test days several times a year are planned. | If you plan to apply on or after 1 March 2027, pass the test first. |
| Exemptions | Under 18, 65 and over, a Finnish or Swedish matriculation examination or a degree completed in Finnish or Swedish in Finland, health grounds, other very weighty reasons. | Check whether you are exempt before you register. |
| Results | Reported per topic area. | Your topic-by-topic progress on citizenship.fi mirrors the way results are reported. |
The ten topic areas
Settling in Finland
Moving to Finland and getting established: residence permits, registering as a resident, the personal identity code, integration services and the authorities a newcomer deals with.
People and culture
Finland's languages, holidays, customs and values, and how people live together: equality, trust and the unwritten rules of everyday life.
Everyday life
Housing, money and banking, transport, waste sorting, digital services and the other practical routines of daily life.
Work and working life
Finding work, employment contracts, working hours and holidays, taxes and the tax card, employee rights and duties, and the roles of trade unions and employers.
Studying and education
The Finnish education system from early childhood education to higher education, adult education, integration training and the recognition of foreign qualifications.
Families
Forms of family, marriage, partnership and divorce, parenting, family leave, children's rights and the services available to families.
Health and wellbeing
Public healthcare and how to seek care, the wellbeing services counties, occupational healthcare, mental health services and what to do in an emergency.
Society and participation
Parliament, the government, the President and municipalities, elections and the right to vote, and the ways residents can influence society.
Laws and rights
Fundamental rights, equality and the prohibition of discrimination, the courts, the police and legal aid, and everyday laws such as consumer protection and traffic rules.
Finnish history
The main periods of Finnish history from the Swedish and Russian eras to independence, the wars and the building of the welfare state, up to the present day.
Who does not need to take the test
Under 18
Applicants under 18 do not take the test.
65 and over
Applicants aged 65 or older are exempt from the test.
Finnish or Swedish matriculation examination
If you have completed the Finnish or Swedish matriculation examination, you do not need to take the test.
Degree completed in Finnish or Swedish in Finland
A degree completed in Finland in Finnish or Swedish exempts you from the test. A degree taught in English does not count.
Health grounds and other very weighty reasons
An exemption can also be granted on health grounds or for other very weighty reasons. Check the current guidance from Migri on how these are assessed.
Preparation tips
- Check first whether you are exempt, and when you plan to file your application; the test requirement applies to applications filed from 1 March 2027.
- Study in Finnish (or Swedish) from the start. The test is not offered in English, so the vocabulary of each topic area matters as much as the facts.
- Work through all ten topic areas. Results are reported per topic, and a weak topic is easy to spot in your progress view.
- Take timed simulated tests to get used to answering 20–40 questions in one sitting.
- Read every explanation, including the ones for questions you got right. Understanding why an option is wrong is what carries over to new questions.
- Aim well above the draft 70 % pass mark in practice so that one unfamiliar question on test day does not decide the result.
- Follow Migri for the decree, the fee and the test dates, and read the official study material from the University of Helsinki as soon as it is published.
How the test day works
- The test is electronic and taken under supervision at a test venue; you cannot take it at home.
- According to the draft decree, a test has 20–40 multiple-choice questions and you pass with at least 70 % correct.
- Bring a valid identity document. Check the exact requirements from Migri when you register.
- Expect no notes, books or other materials during the test. Everything you need has to be in your head.
- Results are reported per topic area, so you will see which topics went well and which need more work.
Results and what they mean
| Result | Meaning | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Pass (at least 70 %) | You answered at least 70 % of the questions correctly, the pass mark set in the draft decree. | Keep the record of your result and follow Migri's instructions on how it is linked to your citizenship application. |
| Fail (below 70 %) | You answered fewer than 70 % of the questions correctly. Results are reported per topic area, so you can see where the points were lost. | Focus your practice on the weakest topic areas and register for a later test day. Check Migri for the rules on retaking the test. |
| Exemption | You belong to a group that does not need to take the test, for example under 18, 65 and over, or holders of a Finnish or Swedish matriculation examination or degree. | You do not take the test. Check Migri's guidance on how to show that you are exempt. |
What to remember
- The question count, pass mark, duration and fee come from a draft decree and may still change before it is issued.
- The real test questions are secret by law. No official question bank exists, and our questions are original, written from publicly available material.
- The test is taken in Finnish or Swedish. Prepare in the language you will take it in.
- The requirement applies to citizenship applications filed from 1 March 2027. Plan your test date before your filing date.
Ready to start preparing?
citizenship.fi gives you timed simulated tests, topic drills with explanations and progress by topic area. Start with the free demo test and two free topic drills.