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Timeline

Every stage of the Citizenship Act reform in one place.

Timeline

Phase
Category
Status
  1. 01
    Phase 3: Citizenship test

    Mykkänen proposes a citizenship test

    Then-Interior Minister Kai Mykkänen included a citizenship test in a wider crime-prevention package. The idea did not advance under the following government.

    Process

    Source: Yle (link pending)

  2. 02
    Phase 1: Residence

    Orpo government programme commits to a citizenship test

    Petteri Orpo's incoming four-party government wrote a citizenship test, alongside a tougher language requirement, into its government programme. That single sentence is where the current law began.

    Process

    Source: Valtioneuvosto (link pending)

  3. 03
    Phase 1: Residence

    Working group established

    The Ministry of the Interior launched the full Citizenship Act reform in three stages and established a working group to prepare it, including the design of a citizenship test.

    Process

    Source: Sisäministeriö (link pending)

  4. 04
    Phase 1: Residence

    Residence requirement extended: 8 years, 5 with language skills

    Parliament extended the general residence requirement for naturalisation from five years to eight. Applicants who demonstrate the required language skills still qualify at five years, and per Migri, that's most applicants. It was the fastest-moving of the reform's three stages.

    Process

    Source: Eduskunta (link pending)

  5. 05
    Phase 1: Residence

    Working group final report published

    The working group published its final report on the Citizenship Act reform.

    Process

    Source: Sisäministeriö (link pending)

  6. 06
    Phase 2: Conduct & income

    Government proposal HE 19/2025 submitted

    Government proposal HE 19/2025 (phase 2: conduct and income requirements) was submitted to Parliament.

    Process

    Source: Eduskunta (link pending)

  7. 07
    Phase 2: Conduct & income

    Parliament approves phase 2 (conduct/income)

    Parliament approved the Citizenship Act amendment covering conduct and income requirements.

    Process

    Source: Eduskunta (link pending)

  8. 08
    Phase 2: Conduct & income

    Phase 2 takes effect

    The conduct/income requirements amendment takes effect.

    Process

    Source: Sisäministeriö (link pending)

  9. 09
    Phase 3: Citizenship test

    Public consultation period

    The draft legislation for the citizenship test was open for public consultation.

    Process

    Source: Sisäministeriö (link pending)

  10. 10
    Phase 3: Citizenship test

    Interior Ministry announces the citizenship test

    The Ministry of the Interior announced it is preparing a mandatory citizenship test as part of the Citizenship Act reform.

    Process

    Source: Sisäministeriö (link pending)

  11. 11
    Phase 3: Citizenship test

    Cost and readiness criticism surfaces

    The government's cost estimate (roughly 2.3 million euros a year) and Familia ry's calculation of the per-applicant fee (235-470 euros) drew criticism. Integration specialists interviewed by Yle pointed out that preparation material didn't exist yet.

    Criticism

    Source: Yle (link pending)

  12. 12
    Phase 3: Citizenship test

    Government proposal HE 54/2026 submitted

    Government proposal HE 54/2026, containing the citizenship test itself, was submitted to Parliament.

    Process

    Source: Eduskunta (link pending)

  13. 13
    Phase 3: Citizenship test

    Administration Committee report finalized

    Parliament's Administration Committee finalized its report on HE 54/2026.

    Process

    Source: Eduskunta (link pending)

  14. 14
    Phase 3: Citizenship test

    Parliament approves the law

    Parliament approved the Citizenship Act reform, which includes a mandatory citizenship test.

    Process

    Source: Eduskunta (link pending)

  15. 15
    Phase 3: Citizenship test

    President signs the law

    The President of the Republic signed the Citizenship Act reform into law.

    Process

    Source: Tasavallan presidentti (link pending)

  16. 16
    Phase 3: Citizenship test

    University of Helsinki wins tender to build the exam

    The University of Helsinki won the competitive tender to design the citizenship test. The ministry allocated roughly 800,000 euros, covering both the exam and its study material.

    Process

    Source: Sisäministeriö (link pending)

  17. 17
    Phase 3: Citizenship test

    Sweden's citizenship test begins

    The first stage of Sweden's own civic-knowledge requirement began, around the same time Finland's reform was making its way toward taking effect.

    Comparison

    Source: NordiskPost (link pending)

  18. 18
    Phase 3: Citizenship testUpcoming

    Migri to publish prep guidance

    The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) will publish official guidance for preparing for the citizenship test. This is the expected traffic-spike moment.

    Practical

    Source: Maahanmuuttovirasto (link pending)

  19. 19
    Phase 3: Citizenship testConfirmed, upcoming

    Law takes effect

    The Citizenship Act reform, including the citizenship test, takes effect.

    Process

    Source: Sisäministeriö (link pending)

  20. 20
    Phase 3: Citizenship testConfirmed, upcoming

    New rules apply to new applications

    The new rules, including the citizenship test requirement, apply to citizenship applications filed from this date onward.

    Practical

    Source: Maahanmuuttovirasto (link pending)