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Government Programme measures to reform national security Finland’s security environment changed significantly when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Government Programme aims to strengthen national security ...

19.1.2023 | In November and December, E2 Research conducted a review of what Ukrainians who have fled to Finland think about their life and what kind of plans they have. This was done to deepen and update the information obtained from the report compiled by the Ministry of the Interior in the summer.

30.5.2023 | On 30 May 2023, Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen will attend an informal meeting of EU civil preparedness ministers in Brussels on CBRN threats (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear). The coordination meeting was convened by Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič and the Swedish Minister of Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin.

22.12.2022 | Estonia has received a considerable number of Ukrainian refugees considering the size of the country, and the local reception system is overburdened. To ease the situation of the refugees, Finland and Estonia will offer the opportunity for interested Ukrainians to move to Finland by group transport. Preparations for this arrangement began at Estonia’s request and they are being carried out in cooperation between the Estonian and Finnish authorities.

22.2.2023 | Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen will visit Moldova on 22–24 February. During the visit, Mikkonen will meet the Moldovan Minister of Internal Affairs Ana Revenco and the Representative of the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR in Moldova, Francesca Bonelli, among others. The topics of discussion in the meetings during the trip include Ukraine’s refugees and civilian crisis management.

7.11.2022 | Ukrainian refugees cannot return home while a large-scale war continues in their home country. As many are staying in Finland for longer than they first thought, the authorities are looking to help them settle down. Towards the end of the year, E2 Research will carry out a review of the current situation and future plans of Ukrainians in Finland. The study will expand on the report which the Ministry of the Interior published in September.

Government Programme measures to reform border security The Government Programme aims to ensure Finland's border security in all situations. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and other changes in the security environment require that border secu...

8.4.2022 | On assignment by the Government, the Finnish Immigration Service has prepared a procedure where persons in temporary protection are granted the reception services they need without municipalities establishing a reception centre. Municipalities will receive compensation from the central government for providing the agreed services.

14.2.2023 | The Ministry of the Interior has published an updated national risk assessment. The previous risk assessment was published in 2018, after which several changes have taken place in Finland’s operating environment. The national risk assessment anticipates sudden incidents targeted at Finland that have an impact on the vital functions of society and require the authorities to adopt exceptional measures or even request help from other countries. 

15.6.2022 | The Finnish Government wants to better meet the needs of those who have fled Ukraine. Together with other ministries, the Ministry of the Interior is mapping the situation of Ukrainians who have come to Finland and their need for various services. This is being done by means of an online survey.

2.5.2022 | Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen will visit Tallinn on 2–3 May and meet Estonian Minister of the Interior Kristian Jaani. The Ministers will discuss topics including the situation in Ukraine, the reception of people who have fled Ukraine, provision of international assistance and civil defence.

7.12.2022 | EU home affairs ministers will gather in Brussels on Thursday 8 December for a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen will represent Finland at the meeting. The ministers will discuss topics including the overall state of the Schengen area and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

30.5.2022 | Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen will visit Stockholm on 31 May and meet with her colleagues, Minister for Integration and Migration Anders Ygeman and Minister of Justice and Home Affairs Morgan Johansson. Items on the agenda include the situation in Ukraine and questions relating to the countries’ NATO membership.

10.8.2022 | Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen will meet with German Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser in Helsinki on 10.8. The Ministers will discuss, among other things, the war in Ukraine and its impact on internal security. Items on the agenda include cyber and hybrid threats caused by the war and the situation of Ukrainian refugees. 

22.6.2026 | SHELTER COALITION FOR UKRAINE: INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP FOR THE SAFETY OF THE POPULATION As a result of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the constant attacks against civilian population, there is a need to rapidly increase the number of...

27.9.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a draft of a temporary amendment to the Aliens Act that would ensure the validity of residence permits issued in Finland to recipients of temporary protection for as long as the temporary protection is in effect in the EU. With the amendment, first residence permits would be issued directly for the entire period of validity of the temporary protection.

29.11.2022 | On Tuesday 29 November, the European Commission will hold via video conference a High-Level Forum on legal pathways to protection. The Forum will discuss the resettlement of refugees, ways to promote admittance, and work-based complementary pathways to protection for refugees. Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen will represent Finland at the meeting.

12.9.2022 | A special act prepared by the Ministry of the Interior would lay down provisions whereby the validity of residence permits issued by Finland on the basis of temporary protection would be extended automatically under the act for the duration of temporary protection in the EU. This would mean that people would not need to apply for extension of their residence permit separately. A residence permit c...

14.7.2026 | Suur-Karja 23 / 15076 Tallinn, Estonia / + 372 628 2222 / [email protected] / www.kul.ee / Registration No 70000941 Commissioner Glenn Micallef European Commission [email protected] Dear Commissioner Glenn Micallef, We sincerely appreciat...

2.3.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has appointed a cross-sectoral group to coordinate migration to Finland following Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The purpose of the group is to ensure smooth exchange of information between the different parties involved and to maintain a shared situation picture regarding the necessary measures.

29.12.2022 | A temporary amendment to the Aliens Act will ensure the validity of residence permits issued in Finland to beneficiaries of temporary protection for as long as the temporary protection is in effect in the EU. A person's first residence permit will be issued directly for the entire period of validity of the temporary protection. Moreover, those who have already received residence permits will not need to apply for an extension separately.

4.3.2022 | The EU has activated the Temporary Protection Directive for the first time in order to help people fleeing Ukraine. On 2 March, the Commission issued a proposal for a Council decision on activation, and the decision was adopted in terms of contents at the meeting of home affairs ministers held on 3 March. The decision is expected to enter into force on 4 March or over the next few days.

2.2.2023 | In the first supplementary budget proposal for 2023, the Government proposes an increase of EUR 6.9 million for the administrative branch of the Ministry of the Interior. A total of EUR 2.477 million is proposed for the police to prevent and combat youth crime. EUR 1.037 million is proposed for strengthening multi-professional and preventive Anchor work by the police. In addition, the Government propo...

3.11.2022 | A temporary amendment to the Aliens Act would ensure the validity of residence permits issued in Finland to recipients of temporary protection for as longs as the temporary protection is in effect in the EU. With the amendment, first residence permits would be issued directly for the entire period of validity of the temporary protection. Moreover, those who have already received residence permits would not need to apply for an extension separately.

9.6.2022 | EU home affairs ministers will gather in Luxembourg on 10 June for a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. The topics on the agenda will include the reception of people fleeing Ukraine, the EU’s migration and asylum reform, and the development of Schengen. In addition, the meeting will aim to reach a general approach on the proposal of the European Commission for a Directive on informat...

4.3.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has decided to send three experts to Moldova to assist in coordinating the humanitarian assistance needed by people fleeing Ukraine. The experts left Finland on Friday morning.

25.6.2026 | Baltic Sea Security Meeting 18 June 2026; Final Statement 18 JUNE 2026 We, the Ministers and representatives responsible for the internal security, law enforcement and border management of the Kingdom of Denmark, the Republic of Estonia, the Repub...

8.12.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project concerning the implementation of the EU’s proposed Directive on Critical Entities Resilience (CER), which is currently under consideration in the Union. The project will enhance national security and the resilience of society.  

7.9.2022 | In June-July, the Ministry of the Interior conducted an online survey to assess the situation and need for different services of Ukrainians who have fled to Finland. A total of 2,136 people responded to the survey.

21.12.2022 | The start of 2023 will see the entry into force of amendments to acts and decrees. This press release provides a summary of the most important changes. 

14.4.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has decided to send two experts to Poland and Slovakia to assist in coordinating the humanitarian assistance needed by people fleeing Ukraine. The experts left Finland on Wednesday evening. The Emergency Services Academy Finland is the employer of the posted experts.

22.7.2022 | Finland is also committed to helping Ukraine by taking part in the medical evacuation and treatment of patients from Ukraine together with other EU countries. Transfers have already been started.

16.4.2026 | Helsinki, 16 April 2026 Statement of the European Coalition for Civil Preparedness and Resilience Ministers and representatives responsible for the internal security, civil preparedness and resilience of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of Denm...

1.9.2022 | The budget proposal for 2023 of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government builds sustainable growth for the future, secures purchasing power and assists people with the hike in electricity prices. The budget proposal responds to the effects of Russia’s war of aggression and inflation, improves safety and security, security of supply, and energy self-sufficiency, and provides further investment in research and development and in the green transition.

20.1.2015 | Suomi lähettää Ukrainaan kylmiin olosuhteisiin soveltuvia majoitustelttoja osana EU:n pelastuspalveluapua

27.3.2025 | The European Commission published the Preparedness Union Strategy on Wednesday 26 March, outlining actions to strengthen the security of the European Union over the next five years. The strategy aims to build a more resilient and secure Europe where citizens are protected. We must be able to prepare for all kinds emerging threats, ranging from extreme weather events to hybrid threats. We cannot ignore the most serious scenarios either, and Europe must also prepare for the possibility of war.

13.11.2025 | Nordic ministers responsible for civil preparedness or their deputies will meet in Helsinki on 13 November. This so-called Haga ministerial meeting will be chaired by Finnish Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen. The ministers will discuss topical issues related to crisis preparedness in the Nordic countries.

19.3.2025 | JOINT LETTER OF INTENT of the Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Finland and the Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine following the joint visit of the Presidents of Finland and Ukraine to the Merihaka civil defense shelter 19 March...

6.3.2026 | Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Germany have agreed to deepen their cooperation on protecting the civilian population and have signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the ministries responsible for civil preparedness. The ministers discussed the Memorandum at a videoconference in February, with Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen representing Finland.

11.12.2025 | A round table discussion on port safety and security took place on 11 December 2025 at the invitation of Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne and Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen. The meeting focussed on the security situation in Finnish ports and how they might be impacted by changes taking place in the operating environment.

13.11.2025 | On 16 July, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a reform of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The reform is one of the key measures to implement the EU Preparedness Union Strategy. The Government informed Parliament of the proposal by submitting a Union communication on 13 November.

21.9.2026 | Brandkorset tilldelas personer som har utmärkt sig inom släcknings- och räddningsarbetet eller tjänstgjort förtjänstfullt inom brandkåren eller i annat brandskyddsarbete. Brandkorset kan också tilldelas en person som genom sin sakkunskap eller på något annat sätt effektivt har bistått vid brandskyddsarbete.

10.4.2025 | In January, Moldova requested energy sector assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism after Russia had stopped gas deliveries to the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova. The situation has jeopardised the functioning and stability of the electricity sector throughout the Republic of Moldova.

17.3.2025 | Finland will host Rescue Borealis 2025, a Nordic exercise focusing on the Euro-Arctic cross-border cooperation involving rescue services in Finland, Sweden and Norway. Rescue Borealis 2025 includes a field training exercise that will take place near Oulu between 29 September and 3 October 2025.

4.3.2025 | Denmark's new Minister for Resilience and Preparedness Torsten Schack Pedersen and Finland's Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen met in Helsinki on 4 March. The ministers discussed current issues related to preparedness and signed a letter of intent on civil preparedness and resilience.

4.3.2024 | The EU home affairs ministers will gather in Brussels on 4 March for a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. The ministers will discuss issues related to border management, migration and the situation in Ukraine. Finland will be represented at the meeting by Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

13.6.2024 | EU home affairs ministers will gather in Luxembourg on 13 June for a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. The topics on the agenda include the continuation of temporary protection for Ukrainians fleeing Russia's war of aggression, the implementation of the asylum and migration reform, and the EU’s common crisis preparedness. Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen will represent Finland at the meeting.

24.4.2025 | In its spending limits discussion, the Government agreed on strengthening the resources of the police, the Finnish Border Guard, the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service and civil defence in order to prepare for wide-ranging threats. The capabilities of the internal security authorities are an essential part of Finland's comprehensive security.

28.11.2024 | Government ministers and their deputies responsible for civil preparedness and provision in the Nordic countries met in Oslo on 28 November. The meeting took place in new circumstances, with all of the Nordic countries now members of NATO. Finland was represented at the meeting by Interior Minister Mari Rantanen.

27.10.2023 | The interior ministers of Finland, Norway, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Ukraine met in Lithuania's capital, Vilnius, on 27 October. The ministers discussed current security challenges facing their countries. The agenda included hybrid threats, border control, immigration, civil preparedness and resilience of critical infrastructure. Finland was represented at the meeting by Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

6.9.2024 | The civil preparedness ministers of the Nordic countries, Baltic States, Poland and Ukraine met in Vilnius on 6 September to discuss the current situation and common challenges. Items on the agenda included warning the population, civil defence shelters and mass evacuations across borders. Finland was represented at the meeting by State Secretary Antti Salminen.

16.9.2024 | At a meeting between the Finnish and Swedish governments in Stockholm on 16 September, the countries agreed to further intensify their cooperation in civil preparedness and emergency planning. Minister of Transport, Communications and the Interior Lulu Ranne and Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin signed a letter of intent concerning the joint planning of the protection of the civilian population.

8.2.2024 | Unofficial international money remittances involve a very high risk of money laundering and terrorist financing. In addition, public authorities responsible for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism and other key actors consider the risk to be high for virtual currency providers, banks and payment service providers.

Suomesta lähtenyt valtiollinen siviiliapu Ukrainaan ja lähialueille Euroopassa on käynnissä erittäin poikkeuksellinen avustusoperaatio. Euroopan unionin pelastuspalvelumekanismin (European Union Civil Protection Mechanism) kautta on lähetetty mitt...

4.8.2023 | Summary: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues. As a result of the war, around four million Ukrainians have applied for temporary protection in the Member States of the European Union. Other migration to the EU is also growing. Both the number of asylum applications submitted in the EU and irregular migration to the EU are on the rise. At the moment, migration pressure is concentrated on the Central Mediterranean route from Tunisia and Libya to Italy.

Väestönsuojayhteistyö Ukrainan tukemiseksi Suomi ja Ukraina tekevät kahdenvälistä ja kansainvälistä yhteistyötä Ukrainan kansallisen väestönsuojastrategian tavoitteiden saavuttamiseksi. Kahdenvälisen SSC-hankkeen (Support for Shelter Coalition) ta...

8.11.2023 | Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen and Swedish Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin met in Espoo on 7 November. The Ministers had a general discussion on the importance of civil preparedness and civil defence shelters. Minister Bohlin recognised the long-term work carried out in Finland on civil defence shelters.

EU:n kasvot idässä: Artsi Alanne oli mukana uudistamassa Ukrainan siviiliturvallisuusalaa Olen Artsi Alanne ja työskentelin kolme vuotta siviilikriisinhallintaoperaatiossa Ukrainassa -Annoimme tavallaan kasvot EU:lle Ukrainassa. Yksi neuvontaopera...

17.11.2022 | The Government proposes approximately EUR 217 million for the Ministry of the Interior's branch of government in the amendment to the 2023 budget proposal. 

29.5.2023 | According to the 2023 survey, the attitudes of Finns towards rescue services have remained positive. World events, such as Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, are clearly reflected in how Finns perceive the likelihood that potential risks may materialise. Similarly, Finns see civil defence as more necessary than before.