Finland Considers Introducing Citizenship Test to Candidates

According to a press release by the Interior Ministry, the citizenship test would prove that the candidates have “successfully integrated” into Finnish society, including here labour market, Schengen.News reports.

The cross-administrative working group examined how a citizenship test could be implemented in Finland, and also assessed the relationship between the citizenship test and the language skills requirement. 

The new measures are part of a reform that plans to tighten rules for citizenship as well as permanent residents. Previously, the Finnish authorities discussed introducing more stringent requirements for permanent residence permit applicants, including here language requirements.

Language Exams Likely to Be Included in the Finnish Citizenship Test

Candidates for Finnish citizenship already have to prove they have mastered the Finnish or Swedish language to some extent like most EU Member States have similar requirements for citizenship candidates.

The citizenship test is one part of this reform. To qualify for Finnish citizenship, the applicant would be required to be successfully integrated into Finnish society, in employment, and able to comply with the rules of Finnish society. 

Of the other Nordic countries, Denmark and Norway have citizenship tests in place while Sweden is also planning to tighten the rules for those acquiring Swedish citizenship….