What is the YKI test?

The National Certificate of Language Proficiency — yleiset kielitutkinnot — is the language exam most people take to prove their Finnish for citizenship. Here is what it involves.

YKI is organised by the Finnish National Agency for Education, and can be taken in different parts of Finland. It tests four separate skills in one sitting, which takes around five to six hours in total. Registration happens through the official portal at yki.opintopolku.fi, and there is a fee.

The three levels

You register for one level, and your results are reported on a six-point scale. Most people applying for citizenship take the intermediate test.

Basic levelPerustaso
Grades 1–2

For managing the language in everyday situations.

Intermediate levelKeskitaso
Grades 3–4

For speaking the language quite well. This is the level required for Finnish citizenship.

Advanced levelYlin taso
Grades 5–6

For speaking the language extremely well.

The four subtests

Reading comprehension

Tekstin ymmärtäminen

You read Finnish texts — articles, notices, messages — and answer questions about them.

Writing

Kirjoittaminen

You write short everyday texts, typically a message and a longer piece such as an opinion or a complaint.

Listening comprehension

Puheen ymmärtäminen

You listen to conversations and announcements and answer questions on what was said.

Speaking

Puhuminen

You respond aloud to prompts — reacting to situations, describing things and giving opinions.

You must sit all four subtests. If you skip one, no certificate is issued at all — even for the parts you did complete.

What you need for citizenship

You need grade 3 or higher in two subtests — but not any two. Only three pairings are accepted:

  1. 1. Speaking + Writing
  2. 2. Listening comprehension + Writing
  3. 3. Reading comprehension + Speaking

This catches a lot of people out. Grade 3 in reading and writing together does not qualify, and neither does listening plus speaking. You can also combine two separate YKI certificates, as long as together they form one of the three accepted pairs.

Check your own results

Coming in 2027: a citizenship test as well

Changes to the Citizenship Act take effect on 1 January 2027, introducing a separate citizenship test covering Finnish society, legislation, fundamental rights, history, culture and equality. It applies to applications submitted from 1 March 2027 and is in addition to the language requirement, not a replacement for it. Study materials are to be published in advance. Check migri.fi for the current rules before you apply.

Practise for the intermediate test

Reading, writing and listening exercises at B1 level with instant AI feedback, plus a full timed exam simulation. Three exercises a day, free.

Start free practice

This page summarises publicly published guidance from the Finnish National Agency for Education and the Finnish Immigration Service. Requirements change — always confirm the current rules on the official sites before registering or applying.