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Hygiene passport.
What is it and how to get one?

The complete guide to hygiene passports.

Looking for a suitable test time? We regularly organize hygiene passport tests across Finland!

What is a hygiene passport?

A hygiene passport is a certificate of food hygiene proficiency. It consists of both a physical paper certificate and a plastic card, which are equally valid. The hygiene passport is issued personally and has no expiration date.

The purpose of the hygiene passport is to promote overall food safety in Finland. Anyone working in the food sector must know how to handle food safely and hygienically.

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Food industry workers carry a great responsibility for food safety. Through training, you can gain knowledge and with it, confidence and assurance in your work!
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Anja Pouttu
Hygienepassport.fi test instructor and teacher

Who needs a hygiene passport?

According to the Finnish Food Act (297/2021), a hygiene passport is required if an employee handles unpackaged and easily perishable food. Examples of workplaces where a hygiene passport is necessary include cafés, restaurants, large-scale kitchens, kiosks, fast food outlets, grocery stores, daycare centers, and food production factories. In many cases, having a hygiene passport can also be an advantage, even if it is not strictly required for the job.

The hygiene passport must be obtained within three months of starting work. This three-month period also includes any previous food industry jobs where a hygiene passport was required.

A hygiene passport is valid indefinitely. This means it never expires and does not need to be renewed!

How to get a hygiene passport?

To get a hygiene passport, you must pass the official hygiene passport test.

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1. Register

Find a hygiene passport test that suits you best from our test selection. The price of a hygiene passport test starts from 56 €.

1. Register-image

2. Practice

Prepare for the hygiene passport test using the Trainify mobile app, participate in online training, or order materials from our webshop.

2. Practice-image

3. Take the test

The test is conducted in a traditional setting using pen and paper. Remember to bring an official, valid ID with you!

3. Take the test-image

4. Get the passport

After passing the test, you will receive a hygiene passport. You can request a temporary certificate from the test instructor.

4. Get the passport-image

I passed the test!

When will I receive my hygiene passport?

The Finnish Food Authority will issue you a hygiene passport certificate and card, which will be mailed to you approximately 4–6 weeks after the hygiene passport test. If you need your hygiene passport urgently, you can always request a temporary certificate from the test instructor. The temporary certificate is valid until the official certificate arrives.

I didn't succeed...

Now what?

No worries, many people have to retake the hygiene passport test. The retake fee is always cheaper than the first time! Study the topics that were challenging for you and practice for the test. Book a new appointment when you feel more confident about the subject area!

Hygiene passport test

The hygiene passport test consists of 40 true/false statements. To pass the test, you must score at least 34 out of 40. The test is completed independently and in writing, under the supervision of an authorized hygiene passport examiner. The test cannot be taken online or remotely.

In a standard hygiene passport test, you have 45 minutes to answer the statements. In special circumstances, the test time is unlimited. You may leave the test room no earlier than 20 minutes after the test has started. Looking up answers, copying from others, or using notes, study materials, or any other aids is strictly prohibited.

Read more about hygiene passport tests

Remember to Bring an ID!

You must bring a valid identity document to the hygiene passport test. The examiner will check your ID when you return the completed test form.

The ID must be original, include a photo, valid, and issued by an official authority. If you are unsure whether your ID is accepted for the hygiene passport test, please contact our customer service in advance.

Accepted for identification:
  • Finnish identity card, passport, driver’s license, or moped license
  • Finnish Kela card with photo
  • Foreign identity card or passport
  • Alien’s passport or refugee travel document (not accepted if marked “identity could not be verified”)
  • An official stamped document issued by the police or border guard proving that the passport is in the authority’s possession. The document must include a copy of the passport.
  • Residence permit card or residence card issued by the Finnish Immigration Service to refugees, asylum seekers, or other immigrants
Not accepted for identification:
  • Expired driver’s license, passport, or identity card
  • Finnish Kela card without a photo
  • Finnish military ID
  • Copies of identity documents
  • Foreign driver’s license or moped license
  • Copies of identity documents
  • Certificates printed from Suomi.fi, the Population Information System, or similar services
  • Identity documents missing full name, full social security number, or with a photo that can be easily replaced

Special situation test

A standard hygiene passport test is a 45-minute written exam available in Finnish, English, or Swedish. Tests translated into other languages or read aloud are considered special situation tests, which are not time-limited. Special situation tests are intended for participants who, for a justified reason, are unable to take the hygiene passport test in a standard test session.

Learn more about special situation test

How to prepare for the hygiene passport test

Study and prepare in advance! It is always a good idea to study the basics of food hygiene before taking the hygiene passport test. We offer many different ways to prepare and learn. Choose the method that suits you best!

Hygiene passport test covers these topics:

  1. Basics of microbiology
  2. Foodborne illnesses
  3. Hygienic working practices
  4. Personal hygiene
  5. Cleaning and sanitation
  6. Own-check plan
  7. Finnish food legislation and authorities
Read more about our study options

Information in different languages about hygiene passport and hygiene passport test

Arabic / العربية
English
Spanish / español
Farsi / فارسی
Chinese / 汉语
Kurdish / سۆرانی
Polish / Polski
Swedish / Svenska
Somali / الصومالية
Tagalog
Thai / ภาษาไทย
Turkish / Türkçe
Russian / pусский
Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt
Estonian / eesti

Hygiene passport for companies

Hygiene passport for companies

Order hygiene passport tests for your employees with invoicing

Register an employee for an open test or training, arrange a private hygiene passport test session for a group, purchase vouchers, and order study materials – all in one place.

Hygienepassport.fi is one of Finland’s leading organizers of hygiene passport tests. Our network of Food Authority–authorized test instructors is extensive and covers almost the entire country. We organize tests and training in several different languages.

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Contact us

Contact us

Still have questions about the hygiene passport or the test process? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions or send us an email: