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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.

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...

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...

Temporary protection for people fleeing from Ukraine Temporary protection is intended for people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Granting temporary protection makes it possible to provide protection to a limited group of people in a swift process that...

Interoperability

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.

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...

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...

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Interoperability

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

Civilian intelligence protects Finland’s national security

7.5.2026 | The Government proposes that the President of the Republic approve amendments to the provisions on the powers of the police to carry out undercover activities in an information network. The amended legislation is scheduled to enter into force on 1 August 2026.

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...

Expatriate Finns are Finnish citizens who live permanently outside Finland

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...

Archive: Press releases and news Government proposal to supplement legislative proposal on criminal intelligence sent out for comments Organization: Ministry of the Interior Type: Press release Categories: Publication date: 8.6.2026 Legislation on...

16.4.2026 | Finland plans to introduce a citizenship test to assess applicants’ knowledge of how Finnish society works and its key principles. The Government submitted the proposal to Parliament on 16 April. The test would be introduced after the legislative amendments enter into force at the beginning of 2027.

People found guilty of certain serious offences can lose their Finnish citizenship.

14.4.2026 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a draft government proposal to update civilian intelligence legislation in response to the changed security environment.  The proposal would introduce new powers, including measures to prepare for state-sponsored threats, and clarifying amendments arising from practical needs identified in intelligence activities. Changes are also proposed to the non-disclosure periods for documents. The deadline for submitting comments is in late May.

News RSS (Opens New Window) (Opens New Window) Government proposal to supplement legislative proposal on criminal intelligence sent out for comments Type: Press release Publication date: 8.6.2026 16.32 Legislation on combating organised crime sent...

10.12.2025 | On 10 December, Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen represented Finland at the informal ministerial conference of the Council of Europe held in Strasbourg. The conference discussed topical migration issues and the role that the European Convention on Human Rights plays in addressing them responsibly.

22.12.2025 | Finland is set to introduce a citizenship test. Civic knowledge would be added as a new requirement for acquiring citizenship. The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments proposed amendments to the Citizenship Act and certain other acts.

News RSS (Opens New Window) (Opens New Window) Government proposal to supplement legislative proposal on criminal intelligence sent out for comments Type: Press release Publication date: 8.6.2026 16.32 Legislation on combating organised crime sent...

News RSS (Opens New Window) (Opens New Window) Government proposal to supplement legislative proposal on criminal intelligence sent out for comments Type: Press release Publication date: 8.6.2026 16.32 Legislation on combating organised crime sent...

News RSS (Opens New Window) (Opens New Window) Finland to introduce new emergency warning system this year Type: Press release Publication date: 1.6.2026 11.22 Public warning sirens to be tested again on Monday 1 June Type: Press release Publicati...

News RSS (Opens New Window) (Opens New Window) Government proposal to supplement legislative proposal on criminal intelligence sent out for comments Type: Press release Publication date: 8.6.2026 16.32 Legislation on combating organised crime sent...

News RSS (Opens New Window) (Opens New Window) Government proposal to supplement legislative proposal on criminal intelligence sent out for comments Type: Press release Publication date: 8.6.2026 16.32 Legislation on combating organised crime sent...

News RSS (Opens New Window) (Opens New Window) Government proposal to supplement legislative proposal on criminal intelligence sent out for comments Type: Press release Publication date: 8.6.2026 16.32 Legislation on combating organised crime sent...

News RSS (Opens New Window) (Opens New Window) Government proposal to supplement legislative proposal on criminal intelligence sent out for comments Type: Press release Publication date: 8.6.2026 16.32 Legislation on combating organised crime sent...

10.12.2025 | Joint Statement delivered to the Conference of Ministers of Justice of the Council of Europe, 10 December 2025 The following States: Denmark, Italy, Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, ...

News RSS (Opens New Window) (Opens New Window) Government proposal to supplement legislative proposal on criminal intelligence sent out for comments Type: Press release Publication date: 8.6.2026 16.32 Legislation on combating organised crime sent...

News RSS (Opens New Window) (Opens New Window) Government proposal to supplement legislative proposal on criminal intelligence sent out for comments Type: Press release Publication date: 8.6.2026 16.32 Legislation on combating organised crime sent...

4.12.2025 | Today, the Government submitted a proposal to Parliament to remove obstacles to information sharing between the police and other authorities in combating crime. The proposal includes amendments to provisions on access to information and disclosure of information. These changes aim to enable better exchange of information for preventing, detecting and investigating offences, for example.

News RSS (Opens New Window) (Opens New Window) Finland to introduce new emergency warning system this year Type: Press release Publication date: 1.6.2026 11.22 Public warning sirens to be tested again on Monday 1 June Type: Press release Publicati...

News RSS (Opens New Window) (Opens New Window) Government proposal to supplement legislative proposal on criminal intelligence sent out for comments Type: Press release Publication date: 8.6.2026 16.32 Legislation on combating organised crime sent...

News RSS (Opens New Window) (Opens New Window) Government proposal to supplement legislative proposal on criminal intelligence sent out for comments Type: Press release Publication date: 8.6.2026 16.32 Legislation on combating organised crime sent...

18.12.2025 | 1 16 December 2025 Joint follow-up letter from the undersigned ministers on the operationalisation of new and innovative solutions to counter and prevent irregular migration to Europe The following is a joint letter from the undersigned ministers....

14.8.2025 | Public authorities in Finland will have to use the Bank and Payment Account Monitoring System each time they request information on account balances, transactions and securities. The Government submitted the legislative amendments for approval on 14 August. The President of the Republic is expected to approve the amendments on 15 August, and they will enter into force on 1 December 2025.

4.7.2025 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a draft government proposal aiming to streamline the exchange of information between the police and other authorities. This proposal implements the objective outlined in the Government Programme to step up the combating of crime and remove obstacles to the related exchange of information. The deadline for submitting comments is August 17, 2025.

23.1.2025 | The Government proposes that the procedure for compensating the building of permanent barriers, such as the fence on the eastern border, will be made more effective. The Government submitted a proposal for amending the Board Guard Act to Parliament on 23 January.

21.11.2024 | International protection will be made temporary in nature and the length of permits will be shortened to the minimum allowed by EU law. Committing offences and endangering national security will lead to the refusal or end of protection status. The Government submitted the amendments to the Aliens Act for approval on Thursday 21 November. The President of the Republic is to approve the amendments on Friday. The amendments will enter into force on 2 January 2025.

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.

21.3.2024 | According to a survey commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior, Ukrainians who arrived in Finland as refugees after February 2022 are satisfied with their life in Finland and more interested than before in staying in the country. The online survey was completed by 1,300 Ukrainians in November 2023.

20.2.2024 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a proposal for a legislative amendment that would shorten the length of international protection permits to the minimum allowed by the Qualification Directive. The deadline for submitting comments is 12 March 2024.