Search

Civilian intelligence protects Finland’s national security

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...

Interoperability

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...

22.12.2025 | The Ministry of the Interior has issued decrees on fees charged by the police and the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service. The decrees will enter into force on 1 January 2026 and be effective until 31 December 2026.

National security Finland’s national security is the responsibility of a number of different stakeholders, both in ministries and agencies. National security requires continuous cross-sectoral cooperation. The Ministry of the Interior participates...

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.

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.

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.

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 ...

8.4.2026 | The Ministry of the Interior will allocate around EUR 44 million in EU funding to projects on border management, crime prevention and migration. The projects will improve the capabilities of security authorities, develop information systems, and secure resources for the authorities to manage migration. The funding will be granted from the EU Home Affairs Funds, under the autumn 2025 call for proposals.

NATO membership and Finland’s resilience Finland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2023. NATO membership will strengthen Finland’s security as well as the security and stability of the Baltic Sea region and Northern Europe. A...

Management and organisation The Ministry of the Interior is headed by the Minister of the Interior and the Permanent Secretary, who is the most senior official. There are five departments at the Ministry: Police Department Department for Rescue Se...

Small ministry, large branch of government The National Police Board and the Finnish Immigration Service operate under the Ministry of the Interior. The agencies provide guidance within their scope of activities. The Finnish Border Guard is respon...

Operations and finances The appropriations for the administrative branch of the Ministry of the Interior in the state budget for 2026 are approximately EUR 2.09 billion. The ministry directs a wide administrative branch employing over 17,000 inter...

Oversight of legality at agencies within the Ministry’s branch of government The agencies within the Ministry of the Interior’s branch of government bear the main responsibility for practical oversight activities and the handling of matters relate...

Counter-terrorism focuses on effective prevention Counter-terrorism in Finland is a joint effort of public authorities and societal actors. In Finland, the main responsibility for counter-terrorism lies with the police. The focus is on preventive ...

Police agencies and responsibilities Police agencies include the National Police Board, local police departments, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Police University College. The National Police Board directs the activities of the polic...

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...

Hybrid threats and hybrid influence activities Hybrid threats refer to malign external influence by which a state actor seeks to systematically influence the targeted country by combining different means. The aim of hybrid influence activities is ...