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Finnish citizens have rights and obligations A citizen of a foreign country who resides permanently in Finland may acquire Finnish citizenship by submitting an application to the Finnish Immigration Service. The basic requirement for the acquisiti...

12.3.2026 | The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service and military intelligence authorities will be able to disclose information on offences to other authorities more extensively than before. In its session on 12 March, the Government proposed that the President of the Republic approve the bills concerned on 13 March. The amendments will enter into force on 20 March 2026.

16.4.2025 | The Government proposes that the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service and the military intelligence authorities be allowed to disclose information on criminal offences to other authorities more extensively than before. The proposal would improve national security. The Government submitted the proposal to Parliament on 16 April.

27.6.2024 | In future, the Border Guard will be able to make better use of modern technology in its key statutory duties, such as border control and the maintenance of border security and order along the border. In its session on 27 June, the Government proposed that the President of the Republic approve the amendments to the Border Guard Act and certain related acts. The President of the Republic is scheduled to approve the amendments on 28 June, and they will enter into force on 5 July 2024.

Finland's objectives for civilian crisis management Finland's participation in civilian crisis management is guided by the National Strategy for Civilian Crisis Management of 2014 and the Act on the Participation of Civilian Personnel in Crisis Ma...

Finnish migration policy is based on Government objectives, EU legislation and international agreements

Proposals for flag days and the processing of proposals by the Ministry When proposing new flag days, citizens should bear in mind that they are entitled to fly the flag if they so desire. All citizens have the right to fly the national flag, if t...

11.6.2020 | As a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, UK citizens living in Finland must submit a separate application for the right of residence in Finland under the withdrawal agreement. The Government submitted a proposal on the matter to Parliament on Thursday, 11 June 2020.

Temporary protection for people fleeing from Ukraine Temporary protection is intended for people fleeing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Granting temporary protection makes it possible to provide protection to a limited group of people...

Frequently asked questions about criminal intelligence legislation Why are the intelligence collection powers of the police being strengthened? One of the key objectives of the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government is to step up th...

15.1.2019 | Finland wishes to protect the opportunities for citizens of the United Kingdom to live, work and study in Finland in the future, too, even after the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union.

Finnish experts serving in operations Decisions to take part in civilian crisis management are based on Finland's foreign and security policy and justice and home affairs objectives, national capabilities, and the needs in crisis areas. Our focus ...

International and EU cooperation The general premise of the international and EU activities in the Ministry of the Interior’s branch of government is to comprehensively promote the objectives of the security-focused Government Programme, Finland’s...

Flag days in 2026 February 3.2. Alvar och Aino Aalto day, Day of Finnish Architecture and Design | a recommended flag day 5.2. Runeberg Day 6.2. Sámi National Day | a recommended flag day 28.2. Kalevala Day, Day of Finnish Culture March 19.3. Minn...

14.11.2019 | Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo commented on the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights against Finland. The judgment relates to an asylum seeker who was expelled from Finland in December 2017.

About the Ministry of the Interior’s web service The address of the Ministry of the Interior's web service is intermin.fi. The Ministry of the Interior is responsible for the service, and it is maintained by the Ministry’s Communications Unit in c...

Removal and departure from the country If a person does not meet the conditions for legal stay in Finland, they are required to leave the country. This applies, for example, to persons whose asylum or residence permit application has been rejected...

Interoperability

Fight against organised crime The fight against organised crime in Finland is based on ensuring the safety and security of society under all circumstances, broad-based cooperation within society, knowledge-based operating models, and respect for f...

10.2.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has completed an investigation into a statutory amendment that would allow a residence permit and alien’s passport to be issued to applicants whose lack of a travel document is the sole impediment to granting the permit. The same project also investigated other potential solutions to address the situation of individuals who have remained in Finland for an extended period with no right of residence.

Refugees flee persecution in their home countries An asylum seeker is a person who seeks asylum and the right to reside in a foreign state. A refugee is someone who has been granted asylum in one state or another. A person may also receive refugee...

EU migration and asylum system The new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum will help the EU improve the control of its external borders and increase the efficiency of asylum and return procedures. At the same time, the rights of asylum seekers will be...

Counter-terrorism builds on extensive cooperation Terrorism is a serious attack on democracy and the rule of law. It is an exceptionally serious violation of universal values such as human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity, and respect for...

15.3.2023 | The Ministry of the Interior proposes that the Ministry of Finance exercise the State’s pre-emption right in a real estate transaction carried out in Imatra at the start of the year.

Interoperability

Government Programme measures in the police sector The Government Programme aims to strengthen security and society's resilience. Police presence will be secured throughout the country. The Government will step up the combating of crime to improve...

Gambling legislation helps to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm In Finland, gambling games are run by the state-owned company Veikkaus Oy. In line with the Government Programme, the gambling system will be reformed by introducing licences t...

Answers to questions about biometric data regulation What is biometric data? Biometric data means personal data that result from technical processing, such as facial images and fingerprints, and allow the unique identification of a person. Who mak...

Frequently asked questions about the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war Russia attacked Ukraine on 24 February 2022 and launched a full-scale war. This page contains frequently asked questions about the consequences of the war in Ukraine. Entry into...

Civilian intelligence protects Finland’s national security

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 ...

Finnish flag days Finland has official flag days and national flag days designated in the calendar. The flag may be flown on other days as well. Flying the flag is a great and dignified way to express joy and emphasise a day of celebration. Flying...

13.8.2021 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a draft government proposal on amending the Aliens Act. The aim of the proposal is to ensure that people who receive international protection can exercise their right to family life as fully as possible. A further aim is to make sure that the best interests of the child are upheld in family reunification cases involving minor children who receive international protection.

Data protection and processing of personal data at the Ministry of the Interior Contact information Data Protection Officer Data Protection Officer Mikko Levämäki tietosuojavastaava.sm(at)gov.fi Controller Ministry of the Interior, PO Box 26, FI-0...

14.7.2026 | EU ministers for sports have asked the European Commission to consider whether EU funding should be restricted for international sports organisations that have allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international competitions during Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

Expatriate Finns are Finnish citizens who live permanently outside Finland

Situation at the eastern border The border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia have been closed since 15 December 2023. The border crossing points for maritime traffic at Haapasaari, the port of Nuijamaa and Santio have b...

24.5.2021 | On 24 May, the Ministry of the Interior set up a project to carry out a study on a legislative amendment that would enable the granting of a temporary residence permit and an alien’s passport for a limited period to asylum seekers who have received a negative decision but who have found work. The purpose of the amendment would be to allow a person to travel to obtain a travel document from the authorities of their own country.

Questions and answers about civilian intelligence legislation The aim of civilian intelligence legislation is to improve the capability of Finnish society to protect against threats to national security. What does civilian intelligence legislation...

2.11.2020 | The European Commission has pointed out that the EU-UK withdrawal agreement has been partially misinterpreted in Finland. Under the withdrawal agreement, all UK citizens, including those who have a document certifying a permanent right of EU residence in Finland, must exchange that document for a residence permit card.