When Is the Right Time to Get a Hygiene Passport – and How Does It Work?

Your friends might be talking about getting a hygiene passport – but why? When should you get one? How much does it cost, and where do you get it?

The need for a hygiene passport, or the benefits of having one, can appear in surprising situations. The most common one is during a job search: a job ad might require a hygiene passport, or the interviewer might ask for it.

But wait – aren’t you supposed to have three months to get it?

The Hygiene Passport Gives You an Edge in Job Hunting

By law, the hygiene passport must be obtained within three months of starting a job where it is required. This period also includes any previous similar jobs you may have done.

However, many people choose to get the hygiene passport in advance or already have one from a previous job. From an employer’s point of view, it’s a clear advantage if a new employee has proven food hygiene knowledge from day one. In fact, the hygiene passport can often be the deciding factor between two candidates.

We spoke with career coach Esa Heikinkangas, who explained:

“Having a hygiene passport is surprisingly essential and widely required across almost every area of the food industry. It’s very difficult to get a job in the food sector without one. Some employers are willing to train new hires and help them get the hygiene passport, but these companies are a small minority.”

In other words, having a hygiene passport might just be the key that sets you apart from other job seekers.

Also read: How to mention your hygiene passport in a job application.

The Hygiene Passport Is Valid Indefinitely

Under current Finnish legislation, the hygiene passport is valid indefinitely and it doesn’t need to be renewed. However, you must keep it safe, as there is no official central register of issued passports.

Because it never expires, it’s smart to take the test well in advance. That way, you’re ready whenever a job opportunity arises. And don’t forget to add the hygiene passport to your CV, it’s a valuable credential!

A hygiene passport test typically costs €45–60. The price includes official Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) fees and postage. Special situation tests (for example, translated or interpreted ones) may cost more due to additional arrangements and examiner workload.

You can prepare for the test in different ways depending on your learning style: webinar training, self-study materials, or the Trainify mobile app’s food hygiene course.

Hygiene Passport Tests Are Supervised by the Finnish Food Authority

Hygiene passport tests are organized by examiners approved and authorized by the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto). They follow strict official guidelines for conducting the tests. Upcoming test sessions are usually listed on the websites of different organizers and examiners, where you can also register directly.

During the test, the examiner will explain the procedure and supervise the official testing situation. The test contains 40 true/false statements, and you must answer at least 34 correctly to pass. The test must last at least 20 minutes, and the maximum time is 45 minutes. When you submit your answer sheet, the examiner checks your identity using an official ID and confirms that your name matches the one written on the test form.

After the session, the examiner reviews the papers, contacts participants about their results, and reports the scores to the Finnish Food Authority. The official hygiene passports are then printed, signed, and mailed to participants.

The Official Hygiene Passport – Delivered to Your Home

The official hygiene passport consists of a card and a paper certificate. These are mailed to participants within 4–6 weeks after the test date. Before receiving the official documents, you can request a temporary certificate from your examiner as proof of completion, which is useful if you’re starting work soon.

Employers may ask to see your hygiene passport and make a copy for their records, but remember to keep your original documents safe.