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Should you apply for Finnish citizenship before 1 March 2027?

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If you already meet all the requirements, an application submitted by 28 February 2027 is handled under the old rules, without the new knowledge-of-society test. Here is how to decide.

What changes on 1 March 2027

The amended Citizenship Act enters into force on 1 January 2027. For applications submitted from 1 March 2027, most applicants aged 18–64 must show knowledge of Finnish society. The main way to do this is a multiple-choice test in Finnish or Swedish. Applications submitted by 28 February 2027 follow the old rules.

Who benefits from applying before the deadline

Applying early only helps if you already meet every other requirement on the day you apply, for example the required residence time and language skills. Migri lists the requirements for each situation. An application that does not meet them can be rejected, and the processing fee is not returned.

If you will apply after 1 March 2027

Start preparing now. Migri expects to publish the official study material around the turn of the year 2026–2027, and the first tests are held in spring 2027 in seven cities, including the Helsinki area, Tampere, Turku and Oulu.

Checklist

  • Check Migri's requirements for your own situation.
  • If you meet them now, prepare your documents and apply by 28 February 2027.
  • If you do not meet them yet, plan for the test: take the free level test and learn the key words.
  • Follow Migri's announcements for the study material and the test dates.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Always check the official information from Migri before you apply.

Take the free level test

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