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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

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...

25.6.2026 | The Government has submitted a government proposal for legislation on police criminal intelligence to Parliament. The proposal includes an amendment to the Police Act that would introduce provisions on criminal intelligence methods and their use in threat‑informed criminal intelligence. It would also strengthen the police’s secret intelligence collection powers used to prevent and detect individual offences.

18.6.2026 | The Ministry of the Interior is requesting views on a draft proposal concerning the use of intelligence collection methods in premises used for permanent residence. The aim is to improve the ability of the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service to safeguard 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 ...

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.

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 Civil Pro...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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.

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...

Archive: Press releases and news Finland delivers assistance from EU emergency stockpile to Ukraine Organization: Ministry of the Interior Type: Press release Categories: Publication date: 24.7.2026 Views invited on legislative proposal to extend ...