National Certificates of Language Proficiency are language proficiency tests intended for adults. They assess language skills in practical situations where adults may generally need to speak, listen, write or read in a foreign language – at home or abroad. Tests are available in the following languages: English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Saami, Spanish and Swedish.

Demonstrating language skills when applying for Finnish citizenship

Provisions covering language skills required to acquire Finnish citizenship are laid down in the Nationality Act (359/2003).

Acquisition of Finnish citizenship requires at least satisfactory oral and written skills in the Finnish or Swedish language. The best way to demonstrate such skills is to complete a general language proficiency test to attain the National Certificate of Language Proficiency at level three or above.

In order to acquire citizenship, you are required to complete the National Certificate of Language Proficiency test in Finnish or Swedish at intermediate level (skills levels 3–4). Here’s how to register for a test:

• Contact a test centre organising language proficiency tests.
• Register for an intermediate level test. You can register in February, June, September and December. Tests are organised in January, April, August and October every year.
• The test costs 100 euros. Instructions for paying the fee are available from those educational institutions that organise the tests.

Language proficiency may also be demonstrated:

• by sitting an examination for the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate, which assesses the language proficiency required in the civil service and is therefore not as suitable for immigrants as the National Certificate of Language Proficiency;
• by completing the ‘Finnish/Swedish as the mother tongue’ syllabus in basic education;
• through other school education or in some other way if a party awarding Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificates considers that the level of language proficiency meets the language skills requirement; see also the General Statement issued by the Finnish and Swedish Language Examination Boards.

Language courses in Finnish and Swedish

Many educational institutions organize Finnish and Swedish language courses for foreign students. Finnish and Swedish can be studied at vocational adult education centres, folk high schools, adult education centres, general upper secondary schools for adults, at language centres within higher education institutions and summer universities. Courses offer many different levels and durations. Tuition fees also vary.

Further information:

• Educational institutions
• Information services at employment offices

Web-resources:

• http://finnishcourses.fi
• Ms Hannele Branch, lecturer in Finnish at the University of London, writes on this is Finland-site about the origins of the Finnish language and gives you a quick guide to its grammar. Finnish is a logical language, she claims. Find out yourself...
• Tavataan taas! - Let's meet again! University of Helsinki Language Center has made a web page, where you can learn basic vocabulary and grammar of Finnish, as well as various phrases. There is also sound, so you can actually hear how the different words and phrases should be pronounced.
• If you already know a little bit of Finnish, you can use the web material that is offered by the National Board of Education: Suomea, ole hyvä! Finnish - here you are!
• For more information about the Finnish language and the possibilities to study it, go to Study in Finland.