[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-seo-294912-105":3,"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":81,"doc-detail-294912-en":130},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"ok",{"site_id":7,"language":8,"slug":9,"title":10,"keywords":11,"description":12,"schema_data":13,"social_meta":74,"head_meta":76,"extra_data":78,"updated_unix":80},105,"en","gms-flash-alert-immigration-finland-citizenship-act-amendments","GMS Flash Alert - Immigration - Finland Citizenship Act Amendments","","Finland’s Parliament approved amendments to the Finnish Citizenship Act that take effect on 1 January 2027, introducing a new citizenship test and setting an application timeline. From 1 March 2027, applicants aged 18–64 must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of Finnish society and integration, unless an alternative qualification or exception applies. 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The social knowledge requirement applies only from 1 March 2027.","Answer",{"name":66,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":67},"Who must take the Finnish citizenship test under the new requirements?",{"text":68,"@type":64},"The social knowledge requirement applies to applicants aged 18 to 64, unless an alternative qualification or an exception applies.",{"name":70,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":71},"How can applicants meet the social knowledge requirement besides passing the citizenship test?",{"text":72,"@type":64},"It is also considered met if the applicant completed a Finnish- or Swedish-language matriculation examination or a higher education degree in Finland.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":32,"og:type":75,"og:title":10,"og:site_name":45,"og:description":12},"article",{"robots":77,"canonical":32},"index,follow",{"doc_id":79,"site_id":7},294912,1789710704,{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":83},"success",[84,88,92,96,101,106,111,115,119,122,126],{"id":22,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":85,"show_sort_weight":86,"slug":87},"Story & Novel",90,"story-novel",{"id":26,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":89,"show_sort_weight":90,"slug":91},"Literature",80,"literature",{"id":33,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":93,"show_sort_weight":94,"slug":95},"Exam",70,"exam",{"id":97,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":98,"show_sort_weight":99,"slug":100},5,"Comic",60,"comic",{"id":102,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":103,"show_sort_weight":104,"slug":105},6,"Technology",50,"technology",{"id":107,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":108,"show_sort_weight":109,"slug":110},7,"Healthcare",40,"healthcare",{"id":112,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":29,"show_sort_weight":113,"slug":114},8,30,"research-report",{"id":55,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":116,"show_sort_weight":117,"slug":118},"Religion & Spirituality",20,"religion-spirituality",{"id":117,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":120,"show_sort_weight":117,"slug":121},"World Cup","world-cup",{"id":123,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":124,"show_sort_weight":123,"slug":125},10,"Lifestyle","lifestyle",{"id":127,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":128,"show_sort_weight":97,"slug":129},19,"General","general",{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":131},{"doc_id":79,"user_id":132,"nickname":42,"user_avatar":133,"doc_module":4,"category_id":112,"category_name":29,"doc_title":10,"doc_description":12,"doc_content":134,"file_id":135,"file_url":136,"file_type":137,"file_size":138,"view_count":55,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":22,"is_downloadable":22,"audit_status":22,"page_count":33,"language":139,"language_code":8,"site_id":7,"html_lang":8,"table_of_contents":140,"faqs":141,"seo_title":142,"seo_description":12,"update_tm":80,"read_time":123,"preview_page_count":4},137451207643,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_3d24733baf745e90a7e4bdd5f77d97b2","GMS Flash Alert  \nImmigration  \n2026-231 | 8 September 2026  \nFinland – Amendments to the Finnish Citizenship Act in January 2027  \nFinland’s Parliament has approved amendments to the Finnish Citizenship Act that will enter into force on 1 January 2027. In addition to previous requirements, applicants will need to complete a citizenship test, through which they must show a sufficient knowledge of Finnish society. The new requirements will apply to citizenship applications submitted on or after 1 March 2027, following a transitional period from 1 January to 28 February 2027. 1,2  \nWHY THIS MATTERS  \nThe change may affect globally mobile employees, long-term assignees, foreign national employees, and family members who are considering Finnish citizenship as part of their long-term residence or integration plans. A citizenship test is required for applicants aged 18 to 64 to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of Finnish society and integration into Finnish society, unless they meet an alternative qualification or an exception applies.  \nBackground  \nThese changes form part of a broader reform of the Finnish Citizenship Act outlined in the Government Program. The objective is to promote successful integration, adherence to the rules of Finnish society and working life. The reform has been implemented in three phases, with the citizenship test representing the third and final stage. In the first phase, which entered into force in October 2024, the required period of residence for citizenship was extended from five to eight years. In the second phase, which entered into force in December 2025, stricter means-of-support requirements were introduced, other naturalisation criteria were tightened, and the provisions governing the loss of citizenship were revised.  \nKey Highlights of the Upcoming Amendment  \nNew social knowledge requirement  \nCitizenship applicants are required to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of society and integration into Finnish society. The requirement can be met by passing the citizenship test.  \nAlternative way to meet the requirement  \nThe requirement for sufficient social knowledge will also be considered met if the applicant has completed a Finnish-or Swedish-language matriculation examination or higher education degree in Finland.  \nAge range and possible exceptions  \nThe social knowledge requirement will apply to applicants aged 18 to 64. Exceptions may be available in certain situations due to health condition, disability, or another particularly weighty reason.  \nCitizenship test content  \nThe test questions will be based on study material to be published on the Finnish Immigration Service’s website well in advance of the first test. The questions will cover topics such as key Finnish legislation, fundamental and human rights, equality, gender equality, and Finnish history and culture.  \nTest languages  \nApplicants will be able to take the citizenship test in Finnish or Swedish.  \nAdministration and further guidance  \nThe Finnish Immigration Service will be responsible for organizing the citizenship test and related official tasks. Further information on preparing for and taking the test is expected to be published during autumn 2026.  \nTransitional period  \nAlthough the amendments enter into force on 1 January 2027, the social knowledge requirement will apply only from 1 March 2027. Applications submitted through the Enter Finland online service or at a Finnish Immigration Service point by 28 February 2027 will be processed under the previous Nationality Act rules.  \nKPMG INSIGHTS  \nIn light of the changes, organisations and entities may wish to consider the following:  \n• Organizations could identify employees and family members who may be considering Finnish citizenship and check that they are aware of the 1 March 2027 application threshold.  \n• HR and global mobility teams could update internal immigration planning materials once the Finnish Immigration Service publishes additional guidance on preparin","cbCaib0oY8mN9dTe","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaib0oY8mN9dTe","pdf",198732,"English","# WHY THIS MATTERS\n# Background\n# Key Highlights of the Upcoming Amendment\n## New social knowledge requirement\n## Alternative way to meet the requirement\n## Age range and possible exceptions\n## Citizenship test content\n## Test languages\n## Administration and further guidance\n## Transitional period\n# KPMG INSIGHTS\n# Contacts","[{\"question\":\"When do the Finnish Citizenship Act amendments enter into force and when does the new social knowledge requirement apply?\",\"answer\":\"The amendments enter into force on 1 January 2027. The social knowledge requirement applies only from 1 March 2027.\"},{\"question\":\"Who must take the Finnish citizenship test under the new requirements?\",\"answer\":\"The social knowledge requirement applies to applicants aged 18 to 64, unless an alternative qualification or an exception applies.\"},{\"question\":\"How can applicants meet the social knowledge requirement besides passing the citizenship test?\",\"answer\":\"It is also considered met if the applicant completed a Finnish- or Swedish-language matriculation examination or a higher education degree in Finland.\"}]","GMS Flash Alert - Immigration - Finland Citizenship Act Amendments | PDF"]