читайте также
Scandal in Portugal: 1,600 Migrants Registered at the Same Address
Purchasing Power in Germany in 2025: Economic Context, Regional Disparities, and Impact on Key Industries
UK Construction Crisis: Job Cuts, Skills Shortages & Soaring Costs
Spain is considering the possibility of admitting one million migrants each year
Is Europe Facing a Housing Bubble? ECB Warns of Widespread Overvaluation
Migration in France: Growth, Challenges, and a New Era of Restrictions
Finland Considers Citizenship Test for Applicants as Part of Stricter Immigration Rules
Helsinki, 2025 – The Finnish Ministry of the Interior is considering introducing a citizenship test for applicants, a move that could significantly tighten naturalization requirements. The proposed test, which may include language exams and integration-related questions, is aimed at ensuring that candidates have successfully integrated into Finnish society, according to Schengen.News.
Tighter Immigration Policies
A cross-administrative working group, appointed by the Interior Ministry, is assessing the feasibility of implementing a citizenship test and its connection to the existing language proficiency requirements. According to the ministry’s statement, the test is designed to confirm successful integration, including labor market participation and adherence to Finnish laws and societal norms.
Finland has already taken steps to tighten its immigration policies. In recent months, authorities have introduced new regulations for permanent residence permits and citizenship applications. Notably, the minimum residency requirement for citizenship applications was increased from five to eight years. Only time spent in Finland under a long-term residence permit is now counted towards this requirement.
Language Exams as Part of the Reform
Like most EU Member States, Finland already requires citizenship applicants to prove proficiency in Finnish or Swedish. However, the new exam may further strengthen these language requirements.
“To qualify for Finnish citizenship, an applicant would be required to prove successful integration into Finnish society, be employed, and comply with the rules of Finnish society,” the Ministry of the Interior stated.
Among other Nordic countries, Denmark and Norway already have citizenship tests in place, and Sweden is planning similar measures.
Additional Criteria and Potential Changes
The working group is also considering additional requirements for citizenship candidates, including:
- Financial stability criteria – applicants may be required to demonstrate a stable monthly income sufficient to support themselves in Finland.
- Stricter integrity standards – candidates will have to meet higher legal and ethical standards.
- Grounds for citizenship revocation – new regulations may introduce expanded conditions for revoking Finnish citizenship.
The Interior Ministry is working closely with other government agencies to finalize the details of the reform. The government bill is expected to be submitted to Parliament for debate in the coming months.