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6.3.2025 | The Government proposes to improve the efficiency of examining asylum applications. At the same time, restrictions would be placed on the ability of beneficiaries of international protection to visit the countries from which they have fled. The enforcement of deportation decisions would also be streamlined. The Government submitted the proposal for the amendments to the Aliens Act to Parliament on 6 March. The intention is that the proposed amendments would enter into force as soon as possible.

19.12.2024 | The European Commission proposes a new EU Digital Travel application for travellers to create and store their digital travel credentials, among other things. The Government informed Parliament of the Commission's proposals by submitting a Union communication on 19 December. 

The aim is to extend the validity of Finnish passports to 10 years.

Smart Borders Package improves EU border management The EU has adopted a Smart Borders Package, which is to be introduced in 2025-2026. The Smart Borders Package aims to: facilitate border checks improve internal security by, for example, stronger...

6.9.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent a draft proposal for an amendment to the Aliens Act out for comments. The amendment would allow a residence permit and an alien’s passport to be issued to applicants whose lack of a travel document is the sole impediment to issuing a residence permit.

Illegal entry and stay are prevented through cooperation between authorities Illegal entry and stay remain low in Finland when compared with all migration to Finland. Most people move legally to Finland on the basis of work, family ties or studies...

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...

28.5.2026 | The Government proposes extending the validity of Finnish passports and identity cards to 10 years. On 28 May, the Government submitted to Parliament a draft proposal for amending the Passport Act and the Identity Card Act. The Ministry of the Interior estimates that the acts could enter into force by early 2028 at the latest.

Interoperability

23.12.2025 | The Ministry of the Interior has submitted a draft amendment to the Passport Act and the Identity Card Act for comments. These amendments would extend passport and personal identity card validity to 10 years. The consultation process will last until 16 February 2026.

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.

22.5.2025 | The efficiency of examining asylum applications will be improved. At the same time, restrictions will be placed on the ability of beneficiaries of international protection to visit the countries from which they have fled. The enforcement of deportation decisions will also be streamlined. The Government submitted the new amendments to the Aliens Act for approval on 22 May. The President of the Republic is scheduled to approve the amendments on 23 May, and they will enter into force on 1 June.

26.11.2024 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a draft government proposal to reform the procedure for examining asylum applications. At the same time, the enforcement of decisions on deportation would be streamlined and restrictions would be placed on the ability of beneficiaries of international protection to visit the countries from which they have fled.

18.6.2025 | The Ministry of the Interior has issued a new decree on fees charged by the police. The amendments apply to the fees for passports and identity cards as well as for firearms licences and private security sector licences. The decree will be in force from 1 July to 31 December 2025.

4.7.2024 | New legislative amendments will prevent the evasion of provisions on entry more effectively than before. In its session on 4 July, the Government proposed that the President of the Republic approve the amendments to the Aliens Act and the Researchers and Students Act. The President of the Republic is scheduled to approve the amendments on 5 July, and they will enter into force on 1 September 2024.

30.1.2024 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a legislative proposal on amendments to the Aliens Act. The deadline for submitting comments is 20 February 2024.

18.4.2024 | The Government proposes legislative amendments to prevent the evasion of provisions on entry more effectively than at present. The amendments would prohibit asylum applicants from switching to a work-based or education-based application procedure in order to apply for a residence permit. The amendments would also tighten the identity verification procedure. The Government submitted the proposal to Parliament on 18 April. The proposed acts would enter into force on 1 July 2024.

14.11.2023 | The Government parties agreed that the Ministry of the Interior will present a proposal to a government session on adopting restrictions in accordance with section 16 of the Border Guard Act.

6.7.2023 | The Border Guard will enhance border security at Finland's external and internal borders on 8–15 July. The Government made a decision on the matter on 6 July 2023.

24.2.2022 | A working group chaired by the Ministry of the Interior has assessed legislation falling within the purview of the Ministry and the need for amendments to prepare for hybrid influencing that exploits migration. The study suggests that practical amendments for responding to hybrid influencing and managing situations could be made to the Aliens Act, the Act on the Reception of Persons Applying for Internatio...