Citizenship in Finland: test and new eligibility rules
On 16 April 2026, the Government of Finland submitted a bill to Parliament introducing a citizenship test. It will be part of a broader reform aimed at tightening naturalisation requirements, according to a press release from the Finnish Ministry of the Interior on the official website valtioneuvosto.fi.
New eligibility rules for Finnish citizenship
Finland plans to introduce an additional requirement for obtaining citizenship — proof of knowledge of how society works and the country’s core values. Applicants will be able to demonstrate this in three ways: by passing a citizenship test, completing the matriculation examination in Finnish or Swedish, or presenting a university degree obtained in Finland.
The reform also tightens existing criteria. Requirements regarding length of residence, financial self-sufficiency, and assessment of good character are being strengthened. As a result, obtaining Finnish citizenship will become more closely linked to the level of integration and compliance with societal rules.
How the test will be conducted
The test will be computer-based and available in Finnish or Swedish. It is planned to be introduced after the law enters into force — from early 2027. The questions will be developed using official civic orientation learning materials. These materials will be published in advance to ensure transparency and allow applicants to prepare.
The assessment will cover key topics such as the structure of Finland’s state and legal system, human rights, equality and gender equality, as well as the country’s history and culture.
The Finnish Immigration Service will be responsible for organising the testing process. The exam itself is expected to be developed by an external organisation, such as a university.
Other changes in the naturalisation process
The introduction of the test is part of a broader migration policy reform. Finnish authorities are systematically reviewing citizenship rules, placing greater emphasis on integration and applicants’ responsibility.
Alternative ways of proving knowledge will remain available: a Finnish or Swedish matriculation examination or a higher education degree obtained in Finland.
Previous reforms have already tightened core requirements. In July 2024, Parliament approved an extension of the residence requirement for Finnish citizenship from five to eight years.
The Ministry of the Interior states that the aim of the reform is to strengthen integration and raise standards for acquiring citizenship. Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen emphasised that citizenship is not an automatic right and should reflect a person’s readiness to live in Finnish society. The changes are also intended to encourage employment, compliance with laws, and respect for the country’s core principles.
Tightening rules for permanent residence permits (P-RP)
From 8 January 2026, the minimum continuous legal residence period for a permanent residence permit will increase from four to six years. Applicants will also be required to demonstrate knowledge of Finnish or Swedish and have at least two years of work experience in Finland. Periods of unemployment and social assistance are assessed separately — their total duration must not exceed three months.
An accelerated pathway to permanent residence remains available after four years, but only if additional conditions are met. These include an annual income of at least €40,000, a recognised Finnish master’s or postgraduate degree combined with two years of work experience, or a high level of language proficiency together with at least three years of employment.
Separate rules apply to graduates of Finnish universities. Foreigners who have obtained a degree in Finland may apply for permanent residence without meeting the minimum residence period, but they must still prove proficiency in Finnish or Swedish.
Restrictions on property purchases for Russian and Belarusian citizens
Since 15 July 2025, citizens of Russia and Belarus are prohibited from purchasing real estate in Finland. The measure was introduced for national security reasons and primarily applies to transactions involving land plots. The restrictions apply not only to individuals but also to companies linked to these countries. At the same time, residents holding permanent residence permits in Finland or dual citizenship may still conduct transactions with a special permit.
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen stated that the decision aims to strengthen Finland’s resilience against external influence and had been discussed even before the conflict in Ukraine. Interest from Russian buyers in Finnish real estate had already been declining: from 295 transactions in 2022 to 24 in the first half of 2025. The new ban reinforces this trend and forms part of a broader tightening of control.
Conclusion
Analysts at International Investment note that Finland has been consistently building a more structured migration policy model in recent years, in which selection mechanisms are applied at all stages — from temporary residence to permanent status and citizenship. This is not a set of isolated measures, but a coherent regulatory approach where language, employment, and economic self-sufficiency are key criteria.
The introduction of a citizenship test, stricter permanent residence rules, and restrictions in the real estate sector form a unified system of filters. The focus is shifting from formal length of stay to proof of real integration into society and sustained economic participation.
In the long term, this may lead to a clearer differentiation between short-term and long-term residence categories. Access to permanent status is increasingly dependent on a growing set of criteria. For investors from Russia and Belarus, investments in Finland appear increasingly risky.