Finland's government is preparing to introduce a citizenship test for applicants. This follows similar requirements already established in many European countries. The Interior Ministry, led by Minister Mari Rantanen, is overseeing reforms to citizenship legislation.
The test would measure an applicant's knowledge of Finnish society, laws, and values. Its exact content remains undecided. This change represents part of the government's broader effort to tighten citizenship requirements.
Currently, 18 EU nations plus Britain, Norway, Denmark, and Estonia use citizenship tests. Finland would join these countries in implementing such examinations.
The final legislative proposal was supposed to reach parliament this year. Delays have occurred because the draft hasn't yet undergone the required consultation round. This process typically takes several weeks, potentially pushing back the timeline.
The key change in this final reform stage would require citizenship applicants to pass both a language test and the new citizenship exam. While specific test content isn't finalized, a working group published preliminary findings in February.
The examination aims to verify that applicants integrate into Finnish society. It would assess their understanding of how Finnish society functions, not just factual recall. Questions would avoid trivial details and focus on broader comprehension.
Potential test topics include basic and human rights, democracy, political systems, and individual rights and responsibilities. Other areas cover Finnish history, geography, daily life including housing and healthcare, plus social customs and traditions.
The digital exam would be available in Finnish or Swedish, likely using multiple-choice questions. Many countries exempt applicants who demonstrate societal knowledge through education. It's unclear whether Finland will offer similar alternatives.
The citizenship test forms part of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's government program. This emphasizes successful integration as a citizenship requirement. Recent reforms have already extended the residency requirement from five to eight years and restricted unemployed individuals from obtaining citizenship.
This represents a significant policy shift for Finland, which previously relied more heavily on language proficiency and residency periods for citizenship assessment. The move aligns Finland more closely with European neighbors while raising questions about integration measurement methods.