diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index 33b837bca..b86e678ef 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import inspect
 import os
 import re
 from collections import defaultdict
+from pathlib import Path
 from queue import Queue
 from threading import Thread, Event
 from time import sleep
@@ -217,16 +218,24 @@ def updater(bot):
         up.stop()
 
 
+PROJECT_ROOT_PATH = Path(__file__).parent.parent.resolve()
+TEST_DATA_PATH = Path(__file__).parent.resolve() / "data"
+
+
+def data_file(filename: str):
+    return TEST_DATA_PATH / filename
+
+
 @pytest.fixture(scope='function')
 def thumb_file():
-    f = open('tests/data/thumb.jpg', 'rb')
+    f = data_file('thumb.jpg').open('rb')
     yield f
     f.close()
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='class')
 def class_thumb_file():
-    f = open('tests/data/thumb.jpg', 'rb')
+    f = data_file('thumb.jpg').open('rb')
     yield f
     f.close()
 
diff --git a/tests/test_animation.py b/tests/test_animation.py
index 89d3136c9..6b8c00480 100644
--- a/tests/test_animation.py
+++ b/tests/test_animation.py
@@ -25,21 +25,27 @@ from flaky import flaky
 from telegram import PhotoSize, Animation, Voice, MessageEntity, Bot
 from telegram.error import BadRequest, TelegramError
 from telegram.helpers import escape_markdown
-from tests.conftest import check_shortcut_call, check_shortcut_signature, check_defaults_handling
+from tests.conftest import (
+    check_shortcut_call,
+    check_shortcut_signature,
+    check_defaults_handling,
+    data_file,
+)
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='function')
 def animation_file():
-    f = Path('tests/data/game.gif').open('rb')
+    f = data_file('game.gif').open('rb')
     yield f
     f.close()
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='class')
 def animation(bot, chat_id):
-    with Path('tests/data/game.gif').open('rb') as f:
+    with data_file('game.gif').open('rb') as f:
+        thumb = data_file('thumb.jpg')
         return bot.send_animation(
-            chat_id, animation=f, timeout=50, thumb=open('tests/data/thumb.jpg', 'rb')
+            chat_id, animation=f, timeout=50, thumb=thumb.open('rb')
         ).animation
 
 
@@ -193,8 +199,8 @@ class TestAnimation:
     def test_send_animation_local_files(self, monkeypatch, bot, chat_id):
         # For just test that the correct paths are passed as we have no local bot API set up
         test_flag = False
-        expected = (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.jpg/').as_uri()
-        file = 'tests/data/telegram.jpg'
+        file = data_file('telegram.jpg')
+        expected = file.as_uri()
 
         def make_assertion(_, data, *args, **kwargs):
             nonlocal test_flag
diff --git a/tests/test_audio.py b/tests/test_audio.py
index 5c55c722e..3455317cf 100644
--- a/tests/test_audio.py
+++ b/tests/test_audio.py
@@ -25,22 +25,26 @@ from flaky import flaky
 from telegram import Audio, Voice, MessageEntity, Bot
 from telegram.error import TelegramError
 from telegram.helpers import escape_markdown
-from tests.conftest import check_shortcut_call, check_shortcut_signature, check_defaults_handling
+from tests.conftest import (
+    check_shortcut_call,
+    check_shortcut_signature,
+    check_defaults_handling,
+    data_file,
+)
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='function')
 def audio_file():
-    f = Path('tests/data/telegram.mp3').open('rb')
+    f = data_file('telegram.mp3').open('rb')
     yield f
     f.close()
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='class')
 def audio(bot, chat_id):
-    with Path('tests/data/telegram.mp3').open('rb') as f:
-        return bot.send_audio(
-            chat_id, audio=f, timeout=50, thumb=Path('tests/data/thumb.jpg').open('rb')
-        ).audio
+    with data_file('telegram.mp3').open('rb') as f:
+        thumb = data_file('thumb.jpg')
+        return bot.send_audio(chat_id, audio=f, timeout=50, thumb=thumb.open('rb')).audio
 
 
 class TestAudio:
@@ -215,8 +219,8 @@ class TestAudio:
     def test_send_audio_local_files(self, monkeypatch, bot, chat_id):
         # For just test that the correct paths are passed as we have no local bot API set up
         test_flag = False
-        expected = (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.jpg/').as_uri()
-        file = 'tests/data/telegram.jpg'
+        file = data_file('telegram.jpg')
+        expected = file.as_uri()
 
         def make_assertion(_, data, *args, **kwargs):
             nonlocal test_flag
diff --git a/tests/test_bot.py b/tests/test_bot.py
index 9c2b0c864..669c5c8f6 100644
--- a/tests/test_bot.py
+++ b/tests/test_bot.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ import logging
 import time
 import datetime as dtm
 from collections import defaultdict
-from pathlib import Path
 from platform import python_implementation
 
 import pytest
@@ -59,9 +58,15 @@ from telegram.constants import MAX_INLINE_QUERY_RESULTS
 from telegram.ext import ExtBot, InvalidCallbackData
 from telegram.error import BadRequest, InvalidToken, NetworkError, RetryAfter, TelegramError
 from telegram._utils.datetime import from_timestamp, to_timestamp
-from telegram.helpers import escape_markdown
 from telegram._utils.defaultvalue import DefaultValue
-from tests.conftest import expect_bad_request, check_defaults_handling, GITHUB_ACTION, build_kwargs
+from telegram.helpers import escape_markdown
+from tests.conftest import (
+    expect_bad_request,
+    check_defaults_handling,
+    GITHUB_ACTION,
+    build_kwargs,
+    data_file,
+)
 from tests.bots import FALLBACKS
 
 
@@ -99,7 +104,7 @@ def message(bot, chat_id):
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='class')
 def media_message(bot, chat_id):
-    with Path('tests/data/telegram.ogg').open('rb') as f:
+    with data_file('telegram.ogg').open('rb') as f:
         return bot.send_voice(chat_id, voice=f, caption='my caption', timeout=10)
 
 
@@ -1039,7 +1044,7 @@ class TestBot:
     # get_file is tested multiple times in the test_*media* modules.
     # Here we only test the behaviour for bot apis in local mode
     def test_get_file_local_mode(self, bot, monkeypatch):
-        path = str(Path.cwd() / 'tests' / 'data' / 'game.gif')
+        path = str(data_file('game.gif'))
 
         def _post(*args, **kwargs):
             return {
@@ -1924,14 +1929,14 @@ class TestBot:
         def func():
             assert bot.set_chat_photo(channel_id, f)
 
-        with Path('tests/data/telegram_test_channel.jpg').open('rb') as f:
+        with data_file('telegram_test_channel.jpg').open('rb') as f:
             expect_bad_request(func, 'Type of file mismatch', 'Telegram did not accept the file.')
 
     def test_set_chat_photo_local_files(self, monkeypatch, bot, chat_id):
         # For just test that the correct paths are passed as we have no local bot API set up
         test_flag = False
-        expected = (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.jpg/').as_uri()
-        file = 'tests/data/telegram.jpg'
+        file = data_file('telegram.jpg')
+        expected = file.as_uri()
 
         def make_assertion(_, data, *args, **kwargs):
             nonlocal test_flag
@@ -2008,7 +2013,7 @@ class TestBot:
 
         # Test file uploading
         with pytest.raises(OkException):
-            bot.send_photo(chat_id, open('tests/data/telegram.jpg', 'rb'), timeout=TIMEOUT)
+            bot.send_photo(chat_id, data_file('telegram.jpg').open('rb'), timeout=TIMEOUT)
 
         # Test JSON submission
         with pytest.raises(OkException):
@@ -2032,7 +2037,7 @@ class TestBot:
 
         # Test file uploading
         with pytest.raises(OkException):
-            bot.send_photo(chat_id, open('tests/data/telegram.jpg', 'rb'))
+            bot.send_photo(chat_id, data_file('telegram.jpg').open('rb'))
 
     @flaky(3, 1)
     def test_send_message_entities(self, bot, chat_id):
diff --git a/tests/test_chatphoto.py b/tests/test_chatphoto.py
index f76445ee4..0142d77b4 100644
--- a/tests/test_chatphoto.py
+++ b/tests/test_chatphoto.py
@@ -29,12 +29,13 @@ from tests.conftest import (
     check_shortcut_call,
     check_shortcut_signature,
     check_defaults_handling,
+    data_file,
 )
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='function')
 def chatphoto_file():
-    f = open('tests/data/telegram.jpg', 'rb')
+    f = data_file('telegram.jpg').open('rb')
     yield f
     f.close()
 
@@ -68,23 +69,24 @@ class TestChatPhoto:
 
     @flaky(3, 1)
     def test_get_and_download(self, bot, chat_photo):
+        jpg_file = Path('telegram.jpg')
         new_file = bot.get_file(chat_photo.small_file_id)
 
         assert new_file.file_id == chat_photo.small_file_id
         assert new_file.file_path.startswith('https://')
 
-        new_file.download('telegram.jpg')
+        new_file.download(jpg_file)
 
-        assert Path('telegram.jpg').is_file()
+        assert jpg_file.is_file()
 
         new_file = bot.get_file(chat_photo.big_file_id)
 
         assert new_file.file_id == chat_photo.big_file_id
         assert new_file.file_path.startswith('https://')
 
-        new_file.download('telegram.jpg')
+        new_file.download(jpg_file)
 
-        assert Path('telegram.jpg').is_file()
+        assert jpg_file.is_file()
 
     def test_send_with_chat_photo(self, monkeypatch, bot, super_group_id, chat_photo):
         def test(url, data, **kwargs):
diff --git a/tests/test_constants.py b/tests/test_constants.py
index 17569a4f2..7b460f1d1 100644
--- a/tests/test_constants.py
+++ b/tests/test_constants.py
@@ -16,13 +16,12 @@
 #
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser Public License
 # along with this program.  If not, see [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/].
-from pathlib import Path
-
 import pytest
 from flaky import flaky
 
 from telegram import constants
 from telegram.error import BadRequest
+from tests.conftest import data_file
 
 
 class TestConstants:
@@ -39,13 +38,11 @@ class TestConstants:
     @flaky(3, 1)
     def test_max_caption_length(self, bot, chat_id):
         good_caption = 'a' * constants.MAX_CAPTION_LENGTH
-        with Path('tests/data/telegram.png').open('rb') as f:
+        with data_file('telegram.png').open('rb') as f:
             good_msg = bot.send_photo(photo=f, caption=good_caption, chat_id=chat_id)
         assert good_msg.caption == good_caption
 
         bad_caption = good_caption + 'Z'
-        with pytest.raises(
-            BadRequest,
-            match="Media_caption_too_long",
-        ), open('tests/data/telegram.png', 'rb') as f:
+        match = "Media_caption_too_long"
+        with pytest.raises(BadRequest, match=match), data_file('telegram.png').open('rb') as f:
             bot.send_photo(photo=f, caption=bad_caption, chat_id=chat_id)
diff --git a/tests/test_document.py b/tests/test_document.py
index 5474af603..f5f54bd4f 100644
--- a/tests/test_document.py
+++ b/tests/test_document.py
@@ -25,19 +25,24 @@ from flaky import flaky
 from telegram import Document, PhotoSize, Voice, MessageEntity, Bot
 from telegram.error import BadRequest, TelegramError
 from telegram.helpers import escape_markdown
-from tests.conftest import check_shortcut_signature, check_shortcut_call, check_defaults_handling
+from tests.conftest import (
+    check_shortcut_signature,
+    check_shortcut_call,
+    check_defaults_handling,
+    data_file,
+)
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='function')
 def document_file():
-    f = open('tests/data/telegram.png', 'rb')
+    f = data_file('telegram.png').open('rb')
     yield f
     f.close()
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='class')
 def document(bot, chat_id):
-    with Path('tests/data/telegram.png').open('rb') as f:
+    with data_file('telegram.png').open('rb') as f:
         return bot.send_document(chat_id, document=f, timeout=50).document
 
 
@@ -239,8 +244,8 @@ class TestDocument:
     def test_send_document_local_files(self, monkeypatch, bot, chat_id):
         # For just test that the correct paths are passed as we have no local bot API set up
         test_flag = False
-        expected = (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.jpg/').as_uri()
-        file = 'tests/data/telegram.jpg'
+        file = data_file('telegram.jpg')
+        expected = file.as_uri()
 
         def make_assertion(_, data, *args, **kwargs):
             nonlocal test_flag
diff --git a/tests/test_file.py b/tests/test_file.py
index 7f12df1e3..e423f2984 100644
--- a/tests/test_file.py
+++ b/tests/test_file.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ from flaky import flaky
 
 from telegram import File, Voice
 from telegram.error import TelegramError
+from tests.conftest import data_file
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='class')
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@ def local_file(bot):
     return File(
         TestFile.file_id,
         TestFile.file_unique_id,
-        file_path=str(Path.cwd() / 'tests' / 'data' / 'local_file.txt'),
+        file_path=str(data_file('local_file.txt')),
         file_size=TestFile.file_size,
         bot=bot,
     )
diff --git a/tests/test_files.py b/tests/test_files.py
index 0973c88c5..6441cd804 100644
--- a/tests/test_files.py
+++ b/tests/test_files.py
@@ -16,25 +16,25 @@
 #
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser Public License
 # along with this program.  If not, see [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/].
-from pathlib import Path
 
 import pytest
 
 import telegram._utils.datetime
 import telegram._utils.files
 from telegram import InputFile, Animation, MessageEntity
+from tests.conftest import TEST_DATA_PATH, data_file
 
 
 class TestFiles:
     @pytest.mark.parametrize(
         'string,expected',
         [
-            ('tests/data/game.gif', True),
-            ('tests/data', False),
-            (str(Path.cwd() / 'tests' / 'data' / 'game.gif'), True),
-            (str(Path.cwd() / 'tests' / 'data'), False),
-            (Path.cwd() / 'tests' / 'data' / 'game.gif', True),
-            (Path.cwd() / 'tests' / 'data', False),
+            (str(data_file('game.gif')), True),
+            (str(TEST_DATA_PATH), False),
+            (str(data_file('game.gif')), True),
+            (str(TEST_DATA_PATH), False),
+            (data_file('game.gif'), True),
+            (TEST_DATA_PATH, False),
             ('https:/api.org/file/botTOKEN/document/file_3', False),
             (None, False),
         ],
@@ -45,19 +45,13 @@ class TestFiles:
     @pytest.mark.parametrize(
         'string,expected',
         [
-            ('tests/data/game.gif', (Path.cwd() / 'tests' / 'data' / 'game.gif').as_uri()),
-            ('tests/data', 'tests/data'),
+            (data_file('game.gif'), data_file('game.gif').as_uri()),
+            (TEST_DATA_PATH, TEST_DATA_PATH),
             ('file://foobar', 'file://foobar'),
-            (
-                str(Path.cwd() / 'tests' / 'data' / 'game.gif'),
-                (Path.cwd() / 'tests' / 'data' / 'game.gif').as_uri(),
-            ),
-            (str(Path.cwd() / 'tests' / 'data'), str(Path.cwd() / 'tests' / 'data')),
-            (
-                Path.cwd() / 'tests' / 'data' / 'game.gif',
-                (Path.cwd() / 'tests' / 'data' / 'game.gif').as_uri(),
-            ),
-            (Path.cwd() / 'tests' / 'data', Path.cwd() / 'tests' / 'data'),
+            (str(data_file('game.gif')), data_file('game.gif').as_uri()),
+            (str(TEST_DATA_PATH), str(TEST_DATA_PATH)),
+            (data_file('game.gif'), data_file('game.gif').as_uri()),
+            (TEST_DATA_PATH, TEST_DATA_PATH),
             (
                 'https:/api.org/file/botTOKEN/document/file_3',
                 'https:/api.org/file/botTOKEN/document/file_3',
@@ -68,7 +62,7 @@ class TestFiles:
         assert telegram._utils.files.parse_file_input(string) == expected
 
     def test_parse_file_input_file_like(self):
-        source_file = Path('tests/data/game.gif')
+        source_file = data_file('game.gif')
         with source_file.open('rb') as file:
             parsed = telegram._utils.files.parse_file_input(file)
 
@@ -86,7 +80,7 @@ class TestFiles:
         assert parsed.filename == 'test_file'
 
     def test_parse_file_input_bytes(self):
-        source_file = Path('tests/data/text_file.txt')
+        source_file = data_file('text_file.txt')
         parsed = telegram._utils.files.parse_file_input(source_file.read_bytes())
 
         assert isinstance(parsed, InputFile)
diff --git a/tests/test_inputfile.py b/tests/test_inputfile.py
index 2f1e50487..84ae4c3da 100644
--- a/tests/test_inputfile.py
+++ b/tests/test_inputfile.py
@@ -20,27 +20,32 @@ import logging
 import subprocess
 import sys
 from io import BytesIO
-from pathlib import Path
+
+import pytest
 
 from telegram import InputFile
+from tests.conftest import data_file
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(scope='class')
+def png_file():
+    return data_file('game.png')
 
 
 class TestInputFile:
-    png = Path('tests/data/game.png')
-
     def test_slot_behaviour(self, mro_slots):
         inst = InputFile(BytesIO(b'blah'), filename='tg.jpg')
         for attr in inst.__slots__:
             assert getattr(inst, attr, 'err') != 'err', f"got extra slot '{attr}'"
         assert len(mro_slots(inst)) == len(set(mro_slots(inst))), "duplicate slot"
 
-    def test_subprocess_pipe(self):
+    def test_subprocess_pipe(self, png_file):
         cmd_str = 'type' if sys.platform == 'win32' else 'cat'
-        cmd = [cmd_str, str(self.png)]
+        cmd = [cmd_str, str(png_file)]
         proc = subprocess.Popen(cmd, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, shell=(sys.platform == 'win32'))
         in_file = InputFile(proc.stdout)
 
-        assert in_file.input_file_content == self.png.read_bytes()
+        assert in_file.input_file_content == png_file.read_bytes()
         assert in_file.mimetype == 'image/png'
         assert in_file.filename == 'image.png'
 
@@ -53,9 +58,9 @@ class TestInputFile:
 
     def test_mimetypes(self, caplog):
         # Only test a few to make sure logic works okay
-        assert InputFile(open('tests/data/telegram.jpg', 'rb')).mimetype == 'image/jpeg'
-        assert InputFile(open('tests/data/telegram.webp', 'rb')).mimetype == 'image/webp'
-        assert InputFile(open('tests/data/telegram.mp3', 'rb')).mimetype == 'audio/mpeg'
+        assert InputFile(data_file('telegram.jpg').open('rb')).mimetype == 'image/jpeg'
+        assert InputFile(data_file('telegram.webp').open('rb')).mimetype == 'image/webp'
+        assert InputFile(data_file('telegram.mp3').open('rb')).mimetype == 'audio/mpeg'
 
         # Test guess from file
         assert InputFile(BytesIO(b'blah'), filename='tg.jpg').mimetype == 'image/jpeg'
@@ -70,61 +75,61 @@ class TestInputFile:
 
         # Test string file
         with caplog.at_level(logging.DEBUG):
-            assert InputFile(open('tests/data/text_file.txt')).mimetype == 'text/plain'
+            assert InputFile(data_file('text_file.txt').open()).mimetype == 'text/plain'
 
             assert len(caplog.records) == 1
             assert caplog.records[0].getMessage().startswith('Could not parse file content')
 
     def test_filenames(self):
-        assert InputFile(open('tests/data/telegram.jpg', 'rb')).filename == 'telegram.jpg'
-        assert InputFile(open('tests/data/telegram.jpg', 'rb'), filename='blah').filename == 'blah'
+        assert InputFile(data_file('telegram.jpg').open('rb')).filename == 'telegram.jpg'
+        assert InputFile(data_file('telegram.jpg').open('rb'), filename='blah').filename == 'blah'
         assert (
-            InputFile(open('tests/data/telegram.jpg', 'rb'), filename='blah.jpg').filename
+            InputFile(data_file('telegram.jpg').open('rb'), filename='blah.jpg').filename
             == 'blah.jpg'
         )
-        assert InputFile(open('tests/data/telegram', 'rb')).filename == 'telegram'
-        assert InputFile(open('tests/data/telegram', 'rb'), filename='blah').filename == 'blah'
+        assert InputFile(data_file('telegram').open('rb')).filename == 'telegram'
+        assert InputFile(data_file('telegram').open('rb'), filename='blah').filename == 'blah'
         assert (
-            InputFile(open('tests/data/telegram', 'rb'), filename='blah.jpg').filename
-            == 'blah.jpg'
+            InputFile(data_file('telegram').open('rb'), filename='blah.jpg').filename == 'blah.jpg'
         )
 
         class MockedFileobject:
             # A open(?, 'rb') without a .name
             def __init__(self, f):
-                self.f = open(f, 'rb')
+                self.f = f.open('rb')
 
             def read(self):
                 return self.f.read()
 
-        assert InputFile(MockedFileobject('tests/data/telegram.jpg')).filename == 'image.jpeg'
+        assert InputFile(MockedFileobject(data_file('telegram.jpg'))).filename == 'image.jpeg'
         assert (
-            InputFile(MockedFileobject('tests/data/telegram.jpg'), filename='blah').filename
+            InputFile(MockedFileobject(data_file('telegram.jpg')), filename='blah').filename
             == 'blah'
         )
         assert (
-            InputFile(MockedFileobject('tests/data/telegram.jpg'), filename='blah.jpg').filename
+            InputFile(MockedFileobject(data_file('telegram.jpg')), filename='blah.jpg').filename
             == 'blah.jpg'
         )
         assert (
-            InputFile(MockedFileobject('tests/data/telegram')).filename
+            InputFile(MockedFileobject(data_file('telegram'))).filename
             == 'application.octet-stream'
         )
         assert (
-            InputFile(MockedFileobject('tests/data/telegram'), filename='blah').filename == 'blah'
+            InputFile(MockedFileobject(data_file('telegram')), filename='blah').filename == 'blah'
         )
         assert (
-            InputFile(MockedFileobject('tests/data/telegram'), filename='blah.jpg').filename
+            InputFile(MockedFileobject(data_file('telegram')), filename='blah.jpg').filename
             == 'blah.jpg'
         )
 
     def test_send_bytes(self, bot, chat_id):
         # We test this here and not at the respective test modules because it's not worth
         # duplicating the test for the different methods
-        with Path('tests/data/text_file.txt').open('rb') as file:
-            message = bot.send_document(chat_id, file.read())
-
+        message = bot.send_document(chat_id, data_file('text_file.txt').read_bytes())
         out = BytesIO()
+
         assert message.document.get_file().download(out=out)
+
         out.seek(0)
+
         assert out.read().decode('utf-8') == 'PTB Rocks!'
diff --git a/tests/test_inputmedia.py b/tests/test_inputmedia.py
index 378a6b260..0fc2b635f 100644
--- a/tests/test_inputmedia.py
+++ b/tests/test_inputmedia.py
@@ -16,8 +16,6 @@
 #
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with this program.  If not, see [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/].
-from pathlib import Path
-
 import pytest
 from flaky import flaky
 
@@ -48,7 +46,7 @@ from .test_photo import _photo, photo_file, photo, thumb  # noqa: F401
 
 # noinspection PyUnresolvedReferences
 from .test_video import video, video_file  # noqa: F401
-from tests.conftest import expect_bad_request
+from tests.conftest import expect_bad_request, data_file
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='class')
@@ -178,10 +176,10 @@ class TestInputMediaVideo:
 
     def test_with_local_files(self):
         input_media_video = InputMediaVideo(
-            'tests/data/telegram.mp4', thumb='tests/data/telegram.jpg'
+            data_file('telegram.mp4'), thumb=data_file('telegram.jpg')
         )
-        assert input_media_video.media == (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.mp4/').as_uri()
-        assert input_media_video.thumb == (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.jpg/').as_uri()
+        assert input_media_video.media == data_file('telegram.mp4').as_uri()
+        assert input_media_video.thumb == data_file('telegram.jpg').as_uri()
 
 
 class TestInputMediaPhoto:
@@ -229,8 +227,8 @@ class TestInputMediaPhoto:
         assert input_media_photo.caption == "test 2"
 
     def test_with_local_files(self):
-        input_media_photo = InputMediaPhoto('tests/data/telegram.mp4')
-        assert input_media_photo.media == (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.mp4/').as_uri()
+        input_media_photo = InputMediaPhoto(data_file('telegram.mp4'))
+        assert input_media_photo.media == data_file('telegram.mp4').as_uri()
 
 
 class TestInputMediaAnimation:
@@ -286,10 +284,10 @@ class TestInputMediaAnimation:
 
     def test_with_local_files(self):
         input_media_animation = InputMediaAnimation(
-            'tests/data/telegram.mp4', thumb='tests/data/telegram.jpg'
+            data_file('telegram.mp4'), thumb=data_file('telegram.jpg')
         )
-        assert input_media_animation.media == (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.mp4').as_uri()
-        assert input_media_animation.thumb == (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.jpg').as_uri()
+        assert input_media_animation.media == data_file('telegram.mp4').as_uri()
+        assert input_media_animation.thumb == data_file('telegram.jpg').as_uri()
 
 
 class TestInputMediaAudio:
@@ -351,10 +349,10 @@ class TestInputMediaAudio:
 
     def test_with_local_files(self):
         input_media_audio = InputMediaAudio(
-            'tests/data/telegram.mp4', thumb='tests/data/telegram.jpg'
+            data_file('telegram.mp4'), thumb=data_file('telegram.jpg')
         )
-        assert input_media_audio.media == (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.mp4/').as_uri()
-        assert input_media_audio.thumb == (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.jpg/').as_uri()
+        assert input_media_audio.media == data_file('telegram.mp4').as_uri()
+        assert input_media_audio.thumb == data_file('telegram.jpg').as_uri()
 
 
 class TestInputMediaDocument:
@@ -413,10 +411,10 @@ class TestInputMediaDocument:
 
     def test_with_local_files(self):
         input_media_document = InputMediaDocument(
-            'tests/data/telegram.mp4', thumb='tests/data/telegram.jpg'
+            data_file('telegram.mp4'), thumb=data_file('telegram.jpg')
         )
-        assert input_media_document.media == (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.mp4').as_uri()
-        assert input_media_document.thumb == (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.jpg').as_uri()
+        assert input_media_document.media == data_file('telegram.mp4').as_uri()
+        assert input_media_document.thumb == data_file('telegram.jpg').as_uri()
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='function')  # noqa: F811
@@ -507,15 +505,20 @@ class TestSendMediaGroup:
 
     @flaky(3, 1)  # noqa: F811
     def test_send_media_group_new_files(
-        self, bot, chat_id, video_file, photo_file, animation_file  # noqa: F811
-    ):  # noqa: F811
+        self,
+        bot,
+        chat_id,
+        video_file,  # noqa: F811
+        photo_file,  # noqa: F811
+        animation_file,  # noqa: F811
+    ):
         def func():
             return bot.send_media_group(
                 chat_id,
                 [
                     InputMediaVideo(video_file),
                     InputMediaPhoto(photo_file),
-                    InputMediaPhoto(Path('tests/data/telegram.jpg').read_bytes()),
+                    InputMediaPhoto(data_file('telegram.jpg').read_bytes()),
                 ],
             )
 
diff --git a/tests/test_photo.py b/tests/test_photo.py
index d1b7f3046..1b8308f55 100644
--- a/tests/test_photo.py
+++ b/tests/test_photo.py
@@ -30,12 +30,13 @@ from tests.conftest import (
     check_shortcut_call,
     check_shortcut_signature,
     check_defaults_handling,
+    data_file,
 )
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='function')
 def photo_file():
-    f = open('tests/data/telegram.jpg', 'rb')
+    f = data_file('telegram.jpg').open('rb')
     yield f
     f.close()
 
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@ def photo_file():
 @pytest.fixture(scope='class')
 def _photo(bot, chat_id):
     def func():
-        with Path('tests/data/telegram.jpg').open('rb') as f:
+        with data_file('telegram.jpg').open('rb') as f:
             return bot.send_photo(chat_id, photo=f, timeout=50).photo
 
     return expect_bad_request(func, 'Type of file mismatch', 'Telegram did not accept the file.')
@@ -232,8 +233,8 @@ class TestPhoto:
     def test_send_photo_local_files(self, monkeypatch, bot, chat_id):
         # For just test that the correct paths are passed as we have no local bot API set up
         test_flag = False
-        expected = (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.jpg/').as_uri()
-        file = 'tests/data/telegram.jpg'
+        file = data_file('telegram.jpg')
+        expected = file.as_uri()
 
         def make_assertion(_, data, *args, **kwargs):
             nonlocal test_flag
@@ -343,7 +344,7 @@ class TestPhoto:
         """
         Regression test for https://github.com/python-telegram-bot/python-telegram-bot/issues/1202
         """
-        with Path('tests/data/测试.png').open('rb') as f:
+        with data_file('测试.png').open('rb') as f:
             message = bot.send_photo(photo=f, chat_id=chat_id)
 
         photo = message.photo[-1]
@@ -356,7 +357,7 @@ class TestPhoto:
 
     @flaky(3, 1)
     def test_send_bytesio_jpg_file(self, bot, chat_id):
-        filepath: Path = Path('tests/data/telegram_no_standard_header.jpg')
+        filepath = data_file('telegram_no_standard_header.jpg')
 
         # raw image bytes
         raw_bytes = BytesIO(filepath.read_bytes())
diff --git a/tests/test_request.py b/tests/test_request.py
index 70d4ec5b1..cc1c3ba2b 100644
--- a/tests/test_request.py
+++ b/tests/test_request.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import pytest
 
 from telegram.error import TelegramError
 from telegram.request import Request
+from tests.conftest import data_file
 
 
 def test_slot_behaviour(mro_slots):
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ def test_parse_illegal_json():
     ids=['str destination_path', 'pathlib.Path destination_path'],
 )
 def test_download(destination_path_type):
-    destination_filepath = Path.cwd() / 'tests' / 'data' / 'downloaded_request.txt'
+    destination_filepath = data_file('downloaded_request.txt')
     request = Request()
     request.download("http://google.com", destination_path_type(destination_filepath))
     assert destination_filepath.is_file()
diff --git a/tests/test_sticker.py b/tests/test_sticker.py
index 905278c83..f2e79a5d8 100644
--- a/tests/test_sticker.py
+++ b/tests/test_sticker.py
@@ -25,30 +25,35 @@ from flaky import flaky
 
 from telegram import Sticker, PhotoSize, StickerSet, Audio, MaskPosition, Bot
 from telegram.error import BadRequest, TelegramError
-from tests.conftest import check_shortcut_call, check_shortcut_signature, check_defaults_handling
+from tests.conftest import (
+    check_shortcut_call,
+    check_shortcut_signature,
+    check_defaults_handling,
+    data_file,
+)
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='function')
 def sticker_file():
-    with Path('tests/data/telegram.webp').open('rb') as file:
+    with data_file('telegram.webp').open('rb') as file:
         yield file
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='class')
 def sticker(bot, chat_id):
-    with Path('tests/data/telegram.webp').open('rb') as f:
+    with data_file('telegram.webp').open('rb') as f:
         return bot.send_sticker(chat_id, sticker=f, timeout=50).sticker
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='function')
 def animated_sticker_file():
-    with Path('tests/data/telegram_animated_sticker.tgs').open('rb') as f:
+    with data_file('telegram_animated_sticker.tgs').open('rb') as f:
         yield f
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='class')
 def animated_sticker(bot, chat_id):
-    with Path('tests/data/telegram_animated_sticker.tgs').open('rb') as f:
+    with data_file('telegram_animated_sticker.tgs').open('rb') as f:
         return bot.send_sticker(chat_id, sticker=f, timeout=50).sticker
 
 
@@ -226,8 +231,8 @@ class TestSticker:
     def test_send_sticker_local_files(self, monkeypatch, bot, chat_id):
         # For just test that the correct paths are passed as we have no local bot API set up
         test_flag = False
-        expected = (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.jpg/').as_uri()
-        file = 'tests/data/telegram.jpg'
+        file = data_file('telegram.jpg')
+        expected = file.as_uri()
 
         def make_assertion(_, data, *args, **kwargs):
             nonlocal test_flag
@@ -375,7 +380,7 @@ def video_sticker_set(bot):
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='function')
 def sticker_set_thumb_file():
-    with Path('tests/data/sticker_set_thumb.png').open('rb') as file:
+    with data_file('sticker_set_thumb.png').open('rb') as file:
         yield file
 
 
@@ -452,7 +457,7 @@ class TestStickerSet:
 
     @flaky(3, 1)
     def test_bot_methods_1_png(self, bot, chat_id, sticker_file):
-        with Path('tests/data/telegram_sticker.png').open('rb') as f:
+        with data_file('telegram_sticker.png').open('rb') as f:
             # chat_id was hardcoded as 95205500 but it stopped working for some reason
             file = bot.upload_sticker_file(chat_id, f)
         assert file
@@ -473,7 +478,7 @@ class TestStickerSet:
         assert bot.add_sticker_to_set(
             chat_id,
             f'animated_test_by_{bot.username}',
-            tgs_sticker=Path('tests/data/telegram_animated_sticker.tgs').open('rb'),
+            tgs_sticker=data_file('telegram_animated_sticker.tgs').open('rb'),
             emojis='😄',
         )
 
@@ -555,8 +560,8 @@ class TestStickerSet:
     def test_upload_sticker_file_local_files(self, monkeypatch, bot, chat_id):
         # For just test that the correct paths are passed as we have no local bot API set up
         test_flag = False
-        expected = (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.jpg/').as_uri()
-        file = 'tests/data/telegram.jpg'
+        file = data_file('telegram.jpg')
+        expected = file.as_uri()
 
         def make_assertion(_, data, *args, **kwargs):
             nonlocal test_flag
@@ -570,8 +575,8 @@ class TestStickerSet:
     def test_create_new_sticker_set_local_files(self, monkeypatch, bot, chat_id):
         # For just test that the correct paths are passed as we have no local bot API set up
         test_flag = False
-        expected = (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.jpg/').as_uri()
-        file = 'tests/data/telegram.jpg'
+        file = data_file('telegram.jpg')
+        expected = file.as_uri()
 
         def make_assertion(_, data, *args, **kwargs):
             nonlocal test_flag
@@ -597,8 +602,8 @@ class TestStickerSet:
     def test_add_sticker_to_set_local_files(self, monkeypatch, bot, chat_id):
         # For just test that the correct paths are passed as we have no local bot API set up
         test_flag = False
-        expected = (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.jpg/').as_uri()
-        file = 'tests/data/telegram.jpg'
+        file = data_file('telegram.jpg')
+        expected = file.as_uri()
 
         def make_assertion(_, data, *args, **kwargs):
             nonlocal test_flag
@@ -612,8 +617,8 @@ class TestStickerSet:
     def test_set_sticker_set_thumb_local_files(self, monkeypatch, bot, chat_id):
         # For just test that the correct paths are passed as we have no local bot API set up
         test_flag = False
-        expected = (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.jpg/').as_uri()
-        file = 'tests/data/telegram.jpg'
+        file = data_file('telegram.jpg')
+        expected = file.as_uri()
 
         def make_assertion(_, data, *args, **kwargs):
             nonlocal test_flag
diff --git a/tests/test_updater.py b/tests/test_updater.py
index 5a765afb2..6d1912899 100644
--- a/tests/test_updater.py
+++ b/tests/test_updater.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import signal
 import sys
 import threading
 from contextlib import contextmanager
+from pathlib import Path
 
 from flaky import flaky
 from functools import partial
@@ -366,8 +367,8 @@ class TestUpdater:
                 ip,
                 port,
                 url_path='TOKEN',
-                cert='./tests/test_updater.py',
-                key='./tests/test_updater.py',
+                cert=Path(__file__).as_posix(),
+                key=Path(__file__).as_posix(),
                 bootstrap_retries=0,
                 drop_pending_updates=False,
                 webhook_url=None,
@@ -420,7 +421,7 @@ class TestUpdater:
 
         ip = '127.0.0.1'
         port = randrange(1024, 49152)  # Select random port
-        updater.start_webhook(ip, port, webhook_url=None, cert='./tests/test_updater.py')
+        updater.start_webhook(ip, port, webhook_url=None, cert=Path(__file__).as_posix())
         sleep(0.2)
 
         # Now, we send an update to the server via urlopen
diff --git a/tests/test_video.py b/tests/test_video.py
index 78820cf58..0f8ff3d1b 100644
--- a/tests/test_video.py
+++ b/tests/test_video.py
@@ -25,19 +25,24 @@ from flaky import flaky
 from telegram import Video, Voice, PhotoSize, MessageEntity, Bot
 from telegram.error import BadRequest, TelegramError
 from telegram.helpers import escape_markdown
-from tests.conftest import check_shortcut_call, check_shortcut_signature, check_defaults_handling
+from tests.conftest import (
+    check_shortcut_call,
+    check_shortcut_signature,
+    check_defaults_handling,
+    data_file,
+)
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='function')
 def video_file():
-    f = Path('tests/data/telegram.mp4').open('rb')
+    f = data_file('telegram.mp4').open('rb')
     yield f
     f.close()
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='class')
 def video(bot, chat_id):
-    with Path('tests/data/telegram.mp4').open('rb') as f:
+    with data_file('telegram.mp4').open('rb') as f:
         return bot.send_video(chat_id, video=f, timeout=50).video
 
 
@@ -230,8 +235,8 @@ class TestVideo:
     def test_send_video_local_files(self, monkeypatch, bot, chat_id):
         # For just test that the correct paths are passed as we have no local bot API set up
         test_flag = False
-        expected = (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.jpg/').as_uri()
-        file = 'tests/data/telegram.jpg'
+        file = data_file('telegram.jpg')
+        expected = file.as_uri()
 
         def make_assertion(_, data, *args, **kwargs):
             nonlocal test_flag
diff --git a/tests/test_videonote.py b/tests/test_videonote.py
index ac38ce357..a5555693a 100644
--- a/tests/test_videonote.py
+++ b/tests/test_videonote.py
@@ -24,19 +24,24 @@ from flaky import flaky
 
 from telegram import VideoNote, Voice, PhotoSize, Bot
 from telegram.error import BadRequest, TelegramError
-from tests.conftest import check_shortcut_call, check_shortcut_signature, check_defaults_handling
+from tests.conftest import (
+    check_shortcut_call,
+    check_shortcut_signature,
+    check_defaults_handling,
+    data_file,
+)
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='function')
 def video_note_file():
-    f = open('tests/data/telegram2.mp4', 'rb')
+    f = data_file('telegram2.mp4').open('rb')
     yield f
     f.close()
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='class')
 def video_note(bot, chat_id):
-    with Path('tests/data/telegram2.mp4').open('rb') as f:
+    with data_file('telegram2.mp4').open('rb') as f:
         return bot.send_video_note(chat_id, video_note=f, timeout=50).video_note
 
 
@@ -168,8 +173,8 @@ class TestVideoNote:
     def test_send_video_note_local_files(self, monkeypatch, bot, chat_id):
         # For just test that the correct paths are passed as we have no local bot API set up
         test_flag = False
-        expected = (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.jpg/').as_uri()
-        file = 'tests/data/telegram.jpg'
+        file = data_file('telegram.jpg')
+        expected = file.as_uri()
 
         def make_assertion(_, data, *args, **kwargs):
             nonlocal test_flag
diff --git a/tests/test_voice.py b/tests/test_voice.py
index a905570ea..56fc57c32 100644
--- a/tests/test_voice.py
+++ b/tests/test_voice.py
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser Public License
 # along with this program.  If not, see [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/].
 import os
-from pathlib import Path
 
 import pytest
 from flaky import flaky
@@ -25,19 +24,24 @@ from flaky import flaky
 from telegram import Audio, Voice, MessageEntity, Bot
 from telegram.error import BadRequest, TelegramError
 from telegram.helpers import escape_markdown
-from tests.conftest import check_shortcut_call, check_shortcut_signature, check_defaults_handling
+from tests.conftest import (
+    check_shortcut_call,
+    check_shortcut_signature,
+    check_defaults_handling,
+    data_file,
+)
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='function')
 def voice_file():
-    f = Path('tests/data/telegram.ogg').open('rb')
+    f = data_file('telegram.ogg').open('rb')
     yield f
     f.close()
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope='class')
 def voice(bot, chat_id):
-    with Path('tests/data/telegram.ogg').open('rb') as f:
+    with data_file('telegram.ogg').open('rb') as f:
         return bot.send_voice(chat_id, voice=f, timeout=50).voice
 
 
@@ -192,8 +196,8 @@ class TestVoice:
     def test_send_voice_local_files(self, monkeypatch, bot, chat_id):
         # For just test that the correct paths are passed as we have no local bot API set up
         test_flag = False
-        expected = (Path.cwd() / 'tests/data/telegram.jpg/').as_uri()
-        file = 'tests/data/telegram.jpg'
+        file = data_file('telegram.jpg')
+        expected = file.as_uri()
 
         def make_assertion(_, data, *args, **kwargs):
             nonlocal test_flag
diff --git a/tests/test_warnings.py b/tests/test_warnings.py
index 1d2bec3d4..40d0ca35e 100644
--- a/tests/test_warnings.py
+++ b/tests/test_warnings.py
@@ -16,13 +16,14 @@
 #
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser Public License
 # along with this program.  If not, see [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/].
-import pathlib
+from pathlib import Path
 from collections import defaultdict
 
 import pytest
 
 from telegram._utils.warnings import warn
 from telegram.warnings import PTBUserWarning, PTBRuntimeWarning, PTBDeprecationWarning
+from tests.conftest import PROJECT_ROOT_PATH
 
 
 class TestWarnings:
@@ -64,25 +65,23 @@ class TestWarnings:
         make_assertion(PTBUserWarning)
 
     def test_warn(self, recwarn):
-        expected_file = (
-            pathlib.Path(__file__).parent.parent.resolve() / 'telegram' / '_utils' / 'warnings.py'
-        )
+        expected_file = PROJECT_ROOT_PATH / 'telegram' / '_utils' / 'warnings.py'
 
         warn('test message')
         assert len(recwarn) == 1
         assert recwarn[0].category is PTBUserWarning
         assert str(recwarn[0].message) == 'test message'
-        assert pathlib.Path(recwarn[0].filename) == expected_file, "incorrect stacklevel!"
+        assert Path(recwarn[0].filename) == expected_file, "incorrect stacklevel!"
 
         warn('test message 2', category=PTBRuntimeWarning)
         assert len(recwarn) == 2
         assert recwarn[1].category is PTBRuntimeWarning
         assert str(recwarn[1].message) == 'test message 2'
-        assert pathlib.Path(recwarn[1].filename) == expected_file, "incorrect stacklevel!"
+        assert Path(recwarn[1].filename) == expected_file, "incorrect stacklevel!"
 
         warn('test message 3', stacklevel=1, category=PTBDeprecationWarning)
-        expected_file = pathlib.Path(__file__)
+        expected_file = Path(__file__)
         assert len(recwarn) == 3
         assert recwarn[2].category is PTBDeprecationWarning
         assert str(recwarn[2].message) == 'test message 3'
-        assert pathlib.Path(recwarn[2].filename) == expected_file, "incorrect stacklevel!"
+        assert Path(recwarn[2].filename) == expected_file, "incorrect stacklevel!"