The requirements for obtaining Finnish citizenship are being tightened by introducing a citizenship test. The aim is to ensure that only immigrants who have successfully integrated, follow the rules of Finnish society, and earn their livelihood through work can become citizens of the country.
With this reform, Finland follows the example of several other EU member states, where citizenship applicants are already required to demonstrate language proficiency—which is already tested—as well as knowledge of society, but goes even further. Sweden, which has suffered increasingly severe immigration-related problems year after year, is also taking similar measures.
Additionally, the Finnish government plans to tighten the requirements for a clean criminal record and self-sufficiency, as well as make it easier to revoke citizenship from those who fail to live according to the norms of Finnish society. In other words, immigrants who have committed crimes or lived solely on social welfare will no longer be eligible for citizenship. Moreover, citizenship may also be revoked if an individual turns to criminal activities.
In Finland, the required period of residence for citizenship eligibility was previously extended to eight years, and only legally documented time is counted. For example, the period during which asylum seekers await a residence permit is not included in this time frame.
These changes are expected to ensure that Finland continues to attract work-based immigration while discouraging those who seek to live off the Finnish welfare system. At the same time, the reform is hoped to encourage all newcomers to integrate as constructive members of Finnish society.
In other words, the Finnish government's goal is to make immigration a positive factor for Finnish society rather than merely a growing burden in the future. As a Finn, one can only hope that this objective will be achieved.
Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Finnish Immigration Policy Aims to Maximize Benefits and Minimize Drawbacks
Immigration Policy Should Be Based on Evidence
10% of Foreign Students in Finland Failed to Meet Residence Requirements
