YKI for Finnish citizenship and permanent residence
Citizenship and the 6-year permanent residence path need satisfactory language skills (B1). With YKI, that means intermediate level 3 in certain subtests. The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) makes the decisions, so always check your own case on Migri's website.
Finnish citizenship
According to Migri, YKI proves sufficient Finnish or Swedish when you pass one oral and one written subtest of the intermediate test with at least grade 3. Only these combinations are accepted:
| Combination | Oral | Written |
|---|---|---|
| A | speaking 3 or 4 | writing 3 or 4 |
| B | listening comprehension 3 or 4 | writing 3 or 4 |
| C | speaking 3 or 4 | reading comprehension 3 or 4 |
- It must be the Finnish or Swedish intermediate YKI test. OPH notes you can also take the advanced test.
- An accepted combination can come from two separate certificates.
- Migri advises not to take the test before your skills are at the required level. Test days in the Helsinki area fill up very fast, and you can register for a test outside your home region.
2027 change: Migri says citizenship applications submitted on or after 1 Mar 2027 must also meet a new civic knowledge requirement, which can be met for example by passing a new citizenship test. It comes in addition to the other requirements.
Permanent residence (applications from 8 Jan 2026)
The permanent residence requirements changed on 8 Jan 2026. Migri lists a language skills requirement for these application paths:
| Application path | Required level | With YKI |
|---|---|---|
| Residence of 6 years (plus at least 2 years of work history) | satisfactory (B1) | intermediate, at least 3 |
| Higher education degree completed in Finland | developing (A2) or 15 credits of Finnish or Swedish | basic, at least 2 |
| Particularly good language skills (4 years, 3 years of work history) | particularly good (C1) | advanced, at least 5 |
| P-EU permit | good (B2) | intermediate, at least 4 |
- Migri says the YKI level must be met with the same subtest combinations as for citizenship: speaking and writing, listening comprehension and writing, or reading comprehension and speaking. Two separate certificates also work.
- If you are 65 or over, the language requirement of the 6-year path does not apply to you.
- On the 6-year path, an exception can be made in individual cases for health reasons.
- You must attach the language certificate when you submit the application.
Which subtests should you take?
Usually all four subtests are held on the same day. OPH says the Finnish and Swedish intermediate tests also have subtest days when you take only two subtests. The pairs on OPH's list (writing + listening, and reading + speaking) match Migri's combinations B and C. See the dates on Test dates, fees and registration.
- If speaking and writing both go well, combination A is the direct route.
- If writing is your weakest skill, combination C (speaking + reading) needs no writing.
- If speaking is your weakest skill, combination B (writing + listening) needs no speaking.
Tasolle3 practises writing and speaking, the two skills where feedback is hardest to get on your own.
FAQ
What YKI level do I need for Finnish citizenship?
Migri requires at least grade 3 in the Finnish or Swedish intermediate YKI test in one oral and one written subtest: speaking + writing, listening + writing, or reading + speaking.
Do I need level 3 in all four subtests?
No. Migri accepts three two-subtest combinations. The other two subtests don't affect this requirement.
Can I combine two YKI certificates?
Yes. Migri says an accepted combination can be on two separate certificates.
What level do I need for permanent residence?
For applications submitted on or after 8 Jan 2026, the 6-year path needs satisfactory skills (B1), which is YKI intermediate grade 3 in an accepted combination. Other paths need other levels, so check Migri.
Does the citizenship requirement change in 2027?
Migri says applications submitted on or after 1 Mar 2027 must also meet a civic knowledge requirement, for example by passing a citizenship test. It comes in addition to the other requirements.
Try it free: 1 writing + 1 speaking check
Get instant feedback on your text or speech. The level shown is an unofficial practice estimate, not a YKI result. No card needed.
Read next
Sources
- Migri: National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI)
- Migri: Language skills requirement (applications from 8 January 2026)
- Migri: Application for a permanent residence permit
- Migri: Amendments to the Citizenship Act 2027
- OPH: Proving your language skills for the Finnish citizenship application
- OPH: Selecting the right YKI test and test days
Tasolle3 is an independent practice service. We are not the Finnish National Agency for Education (OPH) or the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri). Always check the official sources linked here for current information.