If you plan to work in a cafe, restaurant, school kitchen, food production facility, or any role involving handling food in Finland, you need a Hygiene Passport (hygieniapassi). It is a legal requirement under Finnish food safety law, and employers will not hire food handlers without one.
What Is the Hygiene Passport?
The Hygiene Passport certifies that you understand Finnish food hygiene regulations. It is issued by the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) after passing a multiple-choice exam at an approved test centre.
Who Needs It
- Anyone working in a cafe, restaurant, or hotel kitchen
- School and hospital kitchen staff
- Food production and packaging workers
- Grocery store workers who handle unwrapped fresh food
How to Get It
- Register at hygieniapassi.fi and select a test centre near you.
- Study the official material — available in Finnish, Swedish, and English on the same website at no cost.
- Take the 40 True/False question exam at the test centre. Cost: approximately 50-60 euros.
- To pass the test, 34 out of 40 correct answers is required.
- Receive your Hygiene Passport card by post within 1-2 weeks.
Study Tips
The official study material at hygieniapassi.fi is the only material you need. Focus on: personal hygiene rules, temperature storage requirements for different food types, cross-contamination prevention, and cleaning and disinfection procedures.
Take the exam in English if your Finnish is not yet strong — the English version is legally equal to the Finnish exam and accepted by all employers across Finland.
