Estonian Citizenship Exam study guide
Estonian Citizenship Exam · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
Estonian citizenship is granted by naturalisation to people who meet the conditions set out in the Citizenship Act, and demonstrating Estonian language proficiency at B1 level is the central requirement. The examination most candidates encounter is the language proficiency test, which assesses listening, reading, writing and speaking, alongside knowledge of the Constitution and the Citizenship Act. The Estonian Citizenship Exam study guide has 6 sections and about 2,363 words.
01Estonian Language Proficiency (B1)
Estonian citizenship requires Estonian at CEFR level B1. The examination is organised by the Education and Youth Board (Haridus- ja Noorteamet, Harno) and has four separately scored subtests: listening (kuulamine), reading (lugemine), writing (kirjutamine) and speaking (rääkimine).
406 words, about 2 min02Constitution and Constitutional Institutions of Estonia
The Constitution (põhiseadus) was adopted by referendum on 28 June 1992 and entered into force on 3 July 1992. It has 15 chapters and 168 sections.
447 words, about 2 min03Rights, Freedoms and Duties of Citizens and Residents
Chapter II (§§ 8–55) is the catalogue of fundamental rights. The key exam distinction is between norms beginning “everyone” (igaüks) and norms belonging to “Estonian citizens” (Eesti kodanik).
378 words, about 2 min04Structure and Functioning of the State
101 members elected for four years by proportional representation on the first Sunday of March, with a 5% national threshold and internet voting available. It legislates, adopts the budget, ratifies treaties, questions ministers, elects the President, appoints the Chancellor of Justice, the Auditor General and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and may pass a motion of no confidence in the Government or in a single minister.
387 words, about 2 min05Estonian History, Culture and National Symbols
24 February 1918 - the Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia, Independence Day. 1918–1920 War of Independence, ended by the Tartu Peace Treaty of 2 February 1920.
365 words, about 2 min06Estonian Geography, Society and Public Life
Estonia covers about 45,227 km² and is divided into 19 counties (maakond). It borders Latvia to the south and Russia to the east, has a long Baltic Sea coast and more than 2,000 islands; Saaremaa is the largest, followed by Hiiumaa and Muhu.
380 words, about 2 min