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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.

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.

27.6.2024 | In future, the Border Guard will be able to make better use of modern technology in its key statutory duties, such as border control and the maintenance of border security and order along the border. In its session on 27 June, the Government proposed that the President of the Republic approve the amendments to the Border Guard Act and certain related acts. The President of the Republic is scheduled to approve the amendments on 28 June, and they will enter into force on 5 July 2024.

15.3.2023 | The Ministry of the Interior proposes that the Ministry of Finance exercise the State’s pre-emption right in a real estate transaction carried out in Imatra at the start of the year.

10.2.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has completed an investigation into a statutory amendment that would allow a residence permit and alien’s passport to be issued to applicants whose lack of a travel document is the sole impediment to granting the permit. The same project also investigated other potential solutions to address the situation of individuals who have remained in Finland for an extended period with no right of residence.

13.8.2021 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a draft government proposal on amending the Aliens Act. The aim of the proposal is to ensure that people who receive international protection can exercise their right to family life as fully as possible. A further aim is to make sure that the best interests of the child are upheld in family reunification cases involving minor children who receive international protection.

24.5.2021 | On 24 May, the Ministry of the Interior set up a project to carry out a study on a legislative amendment that would enable the granting of a temporary residence permit and an alien’s passport for a limited period to asylum seekers who have received a negative decision but who have found work. The purpose of the amendment would be to allow a person to travel to obtain a travel document from the authorities of their own country.

2.11.2020 | The European Commission has pointed out that the EU-UK withdrawal agreement has been partially misinterpreted in Finland. Under the withdrawal agreement, all UK citizens, including those who have a document certifying a permanent right of EU residence in Finland, must exchange that document for a residence permit card.

6.11.2024 | Olin syyskuussa 2024 jo viidettä kertaa lyhytaikaisena vaalitarkkailijana, tällä kertaa Sri Lankassa. Komennus kesti vajaat kaksi viikkoa. Meitä lyhytaikaisia vaalitarkkailijoita oli yhteensä 32 – eli 16 paria – ja hajauduimme eri puolelle maata tukemaan pitkäaikaisia tarkkailijoita. 

29.9.2020 | As a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, UK citizens living in Finland will have to apply to exchange their previous registration based on the right of residence in the EU for the right of residence under the withdrawal agreement. The Finnish Immigration Service will charge EUR 48 for the processing of the application. The permanent right of residence in the EU may be exchanged for a permanent right of residence under the withdrawal agreement free of charge.

27.8.2014 | Right to Choose project launched under the patronage of President Sauli Niinistö

13.3.2020 | As a result of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU, UK citizens living in Finland will have to submit a separate application for a right of residence under the withdrawal agreement. The Ministry of the Interior has launched a project to prepare legislation that will specify the procedure and the timetable.

25.6.2020 | Asylum seekers’ right to work will be extended by a temporary amendment to the Aliens Act. The amendment will concern the start and end of the asylum seekers' right to work. The Government submitted the bill amending the Aliens Act for approval on Thursday 25 June. The President of the Republic is expected to approve the bill on Friday. The Act will enter into force on 29 June.

14.11.2019 | Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo commented on the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights against Finland. The judgment relates to an asylum seeker who was expelled from Finland in December 2017.

20.8.2014 | Right to choose -hanke käyntiin – tasavallan presidentti Sauli Niinistö toimii hankkeen suojelijana

7.2.2019 | UK citizens’ right of residence in Finland will continue for a fixed term under a special act. The act is being prepared for the eventuality of a no-deal Brexit in which the UK withdraws from the EU without an agreement at the end of March. The Government submitted a proposal on the special act to Parliament on 7 February.

20.8.2014 | Right to choose -hanke käyntiin – tasavallan presidentti Sauli Niinistö toimii hankkeen suojelijana

11.6.2020 | As a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, UK citizens living in Finland must submit a separate application for the right of residence in Finland under the withdrawal agreement. The Government submitted a proposal on the matter to Parliament on Thursday, 11 June 2020.

15.1.2019 | Finland wishes to protect the opportunities for citizens of the United Kingdom to live, work and study in Finland in the future, too, even after the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union.

17.9.2020 | As a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, UK citizens living in Finland must submit an application for the right of residence in Finland under the withdrawal agreement. The Government submitted the bill for approval on Thursday 17 September. The President of the Republic is to approve the bill on Friday. The act will then enter into force on 1 October.

28.3.2019 | UK citizens’ right of residence after Brexit will be protected by a special act. The Government submitted the act for approval on Thursday 28 March, and the President of the Republic will approve it on Friday.

25.1.2019 | On 25 January, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs supported the Ministry of the Interior’s proposal to draft a special act to continue, for a fixed term, UK citizens’ right of residence in Finland. The act is being prepared for the eventuality of a no-deal Brexit, where the UK withdraws from the EU without an agreement at the end of March.

8.5.2020 | A temporary amendment to the Aliens Act has been proposed to extend asylum seekers’ right to work. The amendment would concern the start and end of their right to work. The Government submitted a proposal on the amendment to Parliament on Friday 8 May.

30.7.2026 | The Ministry of the Interior is requesting views on a draft government proposal that would supplement the legislative proposal on the Finnish Border Guard’s criminal intelligence activities. Responses may be submitted until 10 September 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...

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...

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...

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...

Temporary protection for people fleeing from Ukraine Temporary protection is intended for people fleeing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Granting temporary protection makes it possible to provide protection to a limited group of people...

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...

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

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...

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...

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...

Finnish migration policy is based on Government objectives, EU legislation and international agreements

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...

Increased use of guards and security stewards The private security sector covers guarding services, security steward services, security system installation services and security check services. Locksmiths and installers of burglar alarms are examp...

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 ...

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...

Civilian intelligence protects Finland’s national security

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...

Accident prevention is a joint effort

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...

Coat of arms of Finland Little is known about the origins of the Finnish coat of arms. The oldest known display of the emblem is on the burial monument of Gustav Vasa in Uppsala Cathedral, which was completed in the 1580s. The same design was adop...

Migration The Ministry of the Interior is responsible for drafting legislation on migration. It also guides and develops the immigration administration, and is responsible for the performance management of the Finnish Immigration Service. The aim ...

Order of precedence International flag etiquette should be observed when flags of more than one nation are flown. On international occasions, the flag of the host nation should have pride of place. This rule has also been incorporated in the decre...

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...

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...

Online targeting and shaming Online targeting and shaming is a phenomenon in which one or more persons or groups urge and incite a large number of people to attack one person in different ways, for example by sending hate messages by email or post...

Interoperability

Finlands mål Finlands deltagande i den civila krishanteringen styrs av den nationella strategin för civil krishantering från 2014 samt av lagen om civilpersonals deltagande i krishantering, som uppdaterades vid ingången av 2019. Finlands mål är at...

Incident notifications Under the CER Act, entities identified as critical must notify the authorities of incidents affecting an essential service. Incident notifications enable the authorities to respond swiftly and appropriately where necessary. ...

Questions and answers on gambling system reform General information on the gambling system reform Why switch over to a licensing system and retain a partial monopoly system instead of, for example, strengthening the current system based on the Vei...

Describing the Finnish flag The Act on the Flag of Finland does not specify the materials that should be used for the emblem, so any piece (such as a sticker) with a pattern that has the prescribed colours and dimensions is considered the Finnish ...

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...

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

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...

Requests for information Under the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (621/1999), everyone has the right of access to the public documents of the Ministry. Please make your request as detailed as possible, as this will help us find the d...