The Finnish government on Thursday proposed that a test covering knowledge of Finnish society would be required for gaining citizenship, as the country continues to tighten its immigration policy.
The proposed citizenship test — to be completed in either of Finland’s two main official languages, Finnish or Swedish — was aimed at “assessing applicants’ knowledge of how Finnish society works and its key principles,” the interior ministry said in a statement.
Alternatively, applicants could demonstrate their “civic knowledge” by completing a Finnish- or Swedish-language matriculation examination or university degree.
According to Interior Minister Mari Rantanen, citizenship “does not come automatically”.
“These reforms encourage integration, employment and respect for the rules of Finnish society,” Rantanen, who represents the right-wing Finns party, said in a statement.
Since the Nordic country’s right-wing coalition government took office in 2023, it has repeatedly tightened its immigration legislation.
The citizenship test represented “the final stage of a broader reform of the Citizenship Act” which “tightens the conditions for acquiring Finnish citizenship”, the statement said.
Legal requirements concerning an applicant’s period of residence, criminal record and financial resources have already been tightened.
If approved by parliament, the citizenship test would be introduced next year.
It would include questions on Finland’s key legislation, fundamental and human rights, equality, gender equality, history and culture.
The government also on Thursday suggested further speeding up the enforcement of deportation decisions and enabling an entry ban to be imposed in advance on people “who pose a serious threat to public order, public security or national security”.
Several European countries have been implementing stricter immigration policies. Neighbouring Sweden proposed a similar citizenship test in February as part of its tightened rules for gaining citizenship.
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