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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...

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...

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...

13.5.2026 | On 13 May 2026, the Government adopted a National Security Concept as a government resolution. The concept defines Finland’s key national security interests and focuses on measures to counter the most serious threats.

5.3.2026 | The Government intends to establish a police reserve in Finland to ensure sufficient police resources in all circumstances. The threshold for deploying the reserve would be high. The Government submitted a proposal on the matter to Parliament on 5 March. Most of the legislative amendments are scheduled to enter into force on 1 January 2027.

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.

16.4.2026 | The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum establishes a common EU system to strengthen external border control, ensure effective identification of third-country nationals and enhance procedures for asylum and return. The Pact will be implemented in Finland through a series of national legislative amendments. The Government submitted a proposal on these amendments to Parliament on 16 April.

25.5.2026 | At a roundtable event on 25 May 2026, representatives of wellbeing services counties, cities and labour market organisations developed a shared understanding of how to address drone-related threats and communicate about them to the public. The purpose of the discussion was to strengthen the resilience of society and increase understanding of what has already been done to ensure preparedness and how it can be further developed through cooperation. 

9.4.2026 | In its meeting on 9 April, the Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy decided that Finland would apply for EUR 35 million in additional funding from the European Commission’s Border Management and Visa Policy Instrument (BMVI). The funding would be used by the Border Guard to procure drone detection and counter-drone systems.

2.9.2025 | The Government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has reached a decision on its budget proposal for 2026. The Government’s decisions aim to support economic growth, which is picking up. Supporting economic growth and continuing responsible fiscal management is necessary to ensure the security of people in Finland and safeguard their access to important services going forward.

8.3.2024 | The Finnish Government will draw up a national security strategy as part of the development of an operating model for the management of national security at the Government level. The strategy aims to identify and assess the most serious threats against Finland in more efficient and extensive ways through cooperation across administrative boundaries.

12.7.2024 | The Government is expected to make a decision on the border security act at an extraordinary session on the week beginning 15 July.

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

18.4.2024 | In its plenary session on Thursday 18 April, the Government appointed Pasi Rajala, Master of Social Sciences, and Antti Salminen, Information Systems Auditor, to serve as state secretaries. Pasi Rajala will serve as State Secretary to Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen and Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen, and Antti Salminen as State Secretary to Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen and Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman.

Employee benefits Our work has a purpose: We are working towards making Finland a safe country now and in future. Competent and committed employees are a great asset to us, and we have many ways to support their wellbeing and development. If you j...

16.11.2023 | The Government has decided to close part of Finland's eastern border. The border crossing points of Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala will be closed starting on 18 November 2023. Submission of applications for international protection at the land border between Finland and Russia will be concentrated at the border crossing points of Vartius and Salla. The Government decided on the matter at an session on Thursday. The decision will remain in force until 18 February 2024.

History of the ministry The Finnish Ministry of the Interior was set up in 1809 as the Administrative Department for General Management. In 1869, the name was changed to the Administrative Department for Civil Affairs, and in 1917, to the Administ...

21.5.2024 | The Government submitted a proposal to Parliament for an act on temporary measures to combat instrumentalised migration on 21 May. The aim of the act is to improve border security and ensure that Finland has effective means at its disposal to combat instrumentalised migration that is being used to pressure Finland. The aim is also to prepare for more serious instances of instrumentalised migration.

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...

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.