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5.10.2020 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent the draft government proposal on legislation supplementing the EU regulations on the use of the Schengen Information System (SIS) out for comments. The aim is to amend the personal data legislation of the police, the Border Guard and Customs as required by the EU regulations on the SIS.

17.9.2020 | As a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, UK citizens living in Finland must submit an application for the right of residence in Finland under the withdrawal agreement. The Government submitted the bill for approval on Thursday 17 September. The President of the Republic is to approve the bill on Friday. The act will then enter into force on 1 October.

12.6.2019 | National legislative work relating to the new European Union Home Affairs Funds has started at the Ministry of the Interior by setting a working group. The working group will review the implementation of the Home Affairs Funds in the current financial programming period and prepare legislation concerning the funds for the national implementation of the EU financial programming period 2021–2027.

7.4.2016 | Perheenyhdistämisen edellytyksiin tiukennuksia

11.7.2019 | Provisions on the marking and deactivation of firearms will be specified to comply with the amended Firearms Act. Provisions concerning identification data of firearms and firearm components will also be amended. A new licence type will be introduced for active sport shooting, target shooting and practice: a firearm licence may in future be granted for certain particularly dangerous firearms used...

26.5.2026 | The Finnish Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project to extend the validity of the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration (‘Border Security Act’). The purpose of the act is to respond to efforts to put pressure on Finland through the instrumentalisation of migrants. 

5.3.2018 | An application round for additional funding from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) to be distributed for resettlement was launched on 5 March 2018. The European Commission grants additional funding for resettlement to Member States based on the number of quota refugees resettled by the Member State concerned.

17.5.2018 | The Ministry of the Interior proposes that a new act on the processing of personal data by migration authorities be enacted. The new act would replace the old Act on the Register of Aliens adopted over 20 years ago. The relevant legislative proposal was sent out for comments on 17 May.

13.3.2020 | As a result of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU, UK citizens living in Finland will have to submit a separate application for a right of residence under the withdrawal agreement. The Ministry of the Interior has launched a project to prepare legislation that will specify the procedure and the timetable.

6.11.2019 | The Security Research Event (SRE) will bring together international security experts in Helsinki on 6–7 November 2019 to take stock of the state of play and the challenges of security research in Europe. This side event of Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union will be co-hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and the European Commission. One of the keynote speakers will be Finland’s Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo.

10.4.2025 | On 10 April 2025, the Government submitted a proposal to Parliament on amending the Act on Bank and Payment Account Monitoring System.

19.2.2025 | A working group of the Ministry of the Interior explored the possibility of introducing a citizenship test as a requirement for acquiring Finnish citizenship. According to the Government Programme, the Citizenship Act will be reformed by tightening the requirements for acquiring Finnish citizenship.

9.2.2018 | Finland has made progress in the national implementation of the EU Firearms Directive. The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence have worked closely with stakeholders to find solutions on how to implement the Directive at national level. Last year, three different thematic discussion sessions were organised for stakeholders. The Ministries have also held separate meetings with them.

9.1.2025 | The Finnish Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project to extend the validity of the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration (‘Border Security Act’). The purpose of the act is to respond to efforts to put pressure on Finland through the instrumentalisation of migrants.

5.2.2018 | The Ministry of the Interior has set up a project to amend the Nationality Act. The aim is to lay down provisions on the loss of Finnish citizenship for people with dual citizenship who are found guilty of a terrorist offence.

3.10.2016 | Kansainvälisen terveysturvaohjelman Suomen työryhmä sai Damir Čemerin -palkinnon

19.3.2019 | On 19 March, Parliament adopted a government proposal to amend the Firearms Act and the Act on Voluntary National Defence. The amendments will introduce the changes required by the EU Firearms Directive into Finnish legislation. The amendments will enter into force as soon as possible.

21.9.2017 | The maximum amount of assistance for voluntary return will be increased. In future, the maximum amount of financial assistance granted to adults who decide to return to their home countries voluntarily could be EUR 1,500, and to accompanying minors EUR 750. Previously, the maximum amount of financial assistance was EUR 1,000 for adults and EUR 600 for minors.

20.8.2015 | Suomi valmistautuu 15 000 turvapaikanhakijan vastaanottoon tänä vuonna

1.8.2024 | The Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project to amend the Firearms Act and the Firearms Decree. Provisions concerning loading devices, silencers and the storage of cartridges, among other things, will be clarified. A comprehensive review of the provisions governing deactivated weapons will also be carried out.

4.10.2018 | The operating conditions of the Crisis Management Centre Finland (CMC Finland) will be strengthened and the rights and responsibilities of experts deployed abroad will be clarified. On 4 October, the Government submitted a proposal to Parliament on the amendment of the Acts concerning civilian crisis management. The intention is for the amendments to enter into force on 1 January 2019.

9.5.2019 | The Acts on the Processing of Personal Data by the Police and the Border Guard will be amended in order to bring them in line with the new EU data protection requirements. In addition, passenger information collected by air carriers may in future be utilised more extensively in prevention of terrorism and serious crime.

10.10.2024 | The Ministry of the Interior is requesting comments on a draft proposal for amending the Act on the Bank and Payment Account Monitoring System. The consultation round ends on 21 November 2024.

8.5.2019 | Written by the Ministry of the Interior, the Migration Review provides current information about developments in labour migration and the asylum-seeker situation as well as about recent legislative amendments.

17.9.2013 | "Tuntemattoman pelko on inhimillistä"

13.9.2013 | Schengen States with eastern external land borders to step up cooperation

3.9.2024 | The 2025 budget proposal of Prime Minister Orpo's Government bolsters conditions for economic growth. Economic growth driven by the private sector will also serve to secure the financing base for central government finances. The fast-acting measures to curb indebtedness that were decided on due to the difficult situation in central government finances will move forward.

19.1.2024 | The Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project to prepare provisions on permit requirements for the export of ammunition. The aim is to prevent especially the export of cartridge components to Russia in line with the EU’s sanctions decision.

18.4.2024 | On 18 April, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal for introducing a new border procedure. The Aliens Act will be amended in line with the EU Asylum Procedures Directive to introduce the new border procedure in Finland. The purpose of the border procedure is to enhance the examination of unfounded applications and the return of applicants whose application has been rejected. In addition, this will prevent secondary movements of asylum seekers to other EU countries. 

2.10.2025 | The tense security situation underscores the importance of preparedness, both in the Baltic Sea region and in the Euro-Arctic area. Meeting new threats requires joint exercises and well-functioning processes, as underlined at the Rescue Borealis 2025 international field exercise held in Oulu.

18.4.2024 | The Government intends to make international protection temporary in nature. The length of international protection permits will be shortened to the minimum allowed by EU law. In addition, any particularly serious offence committed in Finland or endangerment of national security would prevent a person from being granted international protection. The Government submitted its legislative proposal to Parliament on 18 April.

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.

19.1.2024 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a proposal for an act on the protection of infrastructure critical to society and on the improvement of resilience. The legislative project will enhance national security and the resilience of society.

15.3.2024 | On 15 March, the Ministry of the Interior sent out for comments a draft act on temporary measures to combat instrumentalised migration. The deadline for submitting comments is 25 March. The proposed act is scheduled to enter into force as soon as possible. The act would be temporary and would be valid for one year after its entry into force.

23.10.2023 | The Ministry has set up three projects aimed at tightening the rules on international protection in line with the Government Programme. The planned changes will make international protection temporary in nature and introduce the option to withdraw protection if the applicant commits a serious offence. Finland will also introduce a new border procedure and make the asylum process more efficient.

9.12.2025 | The Government proposes improvements to the Finnish Border Guard's preparedness and its ability to respond to the requirements of the changed security and operating environment. The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a government proposal for an act amending the Border Guard Act and certain related acts.

23.1.2023 | A study commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior explored ways to anticipate future needs for amendments when drafting legislation. To this end, the study looked into the amendments made to the Aliens Act and the motivations behind them. The study was carried out by Åbo Akademi University in cooperation with researchers from the University of Turku.

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...

19.9.2023 | In its first budget session, the Government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo decided on solutions that will return Finland to a sustainable growth track. The Government will launch structural reforms to boost employment and growth, which will have positive impacts on general government finances in the next few years. In addition, the Government decided on consolidation measures.

28.5.2025 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo travelled to Kyiv on Wednesday 28 May at the invitation of Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.