The National Certificates of Language Proficiency, known as Yleiset kielitutkinnot or YKI, measure functional language skills for adults. If you want to use the exam for Finnish citizenship, you need at least grade 3 in an intermediate test in Finnish or Swedish across an accepted combination of subtests. Finnish intermediate places book up quickly at 10:00 when registration opens around two months before the exam date, and certificates arrive about two months after the test.

What the YKI is and which level citizenship needs

The National Certificates of Language Proficiency (YKI) are language tests for adults measuring functional proficiency at basic, intermediate, or advanced level. Tests are offered in English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Northern Sámi, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish. However, only Finnish and Swedish certificates count for citizenship and permanent residence.

You choose one level (basic, intermediate, or advanced) at registration and are graded only within that level:

For citizenship you need at least grade 3 (intermediate, B1) in Finnish or Swedish in one oral and one written subtest. Outside citizenship requirements, intermediate grade 3 proves satisfactory, grade 4 good, and advanced grade 6 excellent Finnish or Swedish, as may be required when finding a job in Finland in the public sector.

The four subtests and the combinations Migri accepts

Every YKI test has four subtests—listening comprehension, speaking, reading comprehension, and writing—each graded separately.

Migri accepts grade 3 or 4 in three combinations:

Two separate certificates may together form an accepted combination. Some Finnish and Swedish intermediate test days let you register for only certain subtests.

Certificates from 2002–2011 need a general level of at least 3, those before 2002 at least 4, and pre-2012 certificates cannot be combined.

Test dates and registration windows, late 2026 and spring 2027

Registration is around two months before the test and the certificate comes about two months after it. Finnish intermediate places book up quickly; registration always opens at 10:00 on the registration site. Check the official test days to re-check dates, as schedules can change.

Remaining Finnish tests in autumn 2026:

Remaining Swedish test in autumn 2026:

Digital YKI tests are piloted in November 2026 at seven test centres: intermediate Finnish on 7 November and Swedish on 14 November. Other centres stay on paper. Finnish and Swedish YKI tests become digital from the beginning of 2027, taken on a test-centre computer.

Spring 2027 Finnish tests (all digital) that include the intermediate level:

A basic-only test is on 24.4.2027 (registration 22.3–8.4.2027).

Spring 2027 Swedish tests (all digital) that include the intermediate level:

How registration and payment work — and why it is binding

Register online with Suomi.fi e-identification or, failing that, by email. A personal email address is needed for the payment link.

The payment link is valid for 1–3 days. Pay online by bank credentials or card, not by invoice. Registration is confirmed only once paid. You can register for only one YKI test (or its waiting list) on the same test day.

Since 1 January 2026 a paid registration is binding and cannot be rescheduled or changed (level, language, subtests, centre, date). A refund is possible only for your own documented illness, cancellation by 8:00 on the test day, and an application within two weeks.

Full tests have a waiting list during the registration period. Places can be offered up to 9 days before the test and the payment link then lasts one day.

What it costs

The 2026 fees are set by the Ministry of Education and Culture Decree on Fees (1508/2025) with VAT 0%:

On subtest-only intermediate days, the costs are:

The advanced Finnish or Swedish test is free up to three times for those with a Finnish matriculation exam (or equivalent) or a completed or ongoing university degree. Learn more about degree options while studying in Finland. Basic and intermediate are always paid.

Results, certificates and retakes

Assessment takes about two months. Results are not given by phone or email.

A "below 3" on an intermediate subtest means that subtest did not reach the level; it does not reject the whole test.

For tests from 1 April 2026 a digital certificate appears in My Studyinfo (Oma Opintopolku) if you gave a Finnish personal identity code and use Suomi.fi Messages; otherwise it is posted. A YKI certificate never expires.

Reassessment costs €108 per subtest, must be requested within 30 days, takes about three months, and is refunded if the grade changes.

Other ways to show your language skills, and what YKI will not cover from 2027

Migri also accepts:

From applications submitted on or after 1 March 2027, YKI meets only the language requirement; the citizenship test (civic knowledge) is separate.