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Racist crimes account for most hate crimes There is no single universally agreed definition of hate crime. A hate crime is generally taken to mean any criminal act which is motivated by prejudice or hostility against groups of people that the vict...

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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...

18.6.2026 | The Ministry of the Interior is requesting views on a draft government proposal for amending the Lotteries Act and the Gambling Act. The proposed amendments would allow scratch cards to be given as gifts. The public consultation round will end on 13 August 2026.

Government Programme measures to reform migration policy The Government Programme’s objective is to reform Finland’s migration policy so that it offers assistance to the most vulnerable people and prevents abuse of the system. Finland’s asylum pol...

Ministry of the Interior Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen The Finns Party Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen heads the Ministry of the Interior. She is responsible for internal security and migration matters covered by the Ministry of th...

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...

12.6.2026 | Together with the social partners, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Ministry of the Interior have drawn up recommendations for workplaces in case of drone threats. Their premise is that official instructions are followed. The recommendations are based on the current threat assessment and they will be updated as necessary. They also include a recommendation on the payment of wages.

21.4.2026 | The Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project to prepare amendments to the Lotteries Act and the Gambling Act concerning the claiming of winnings, with the aim of making it possible to give scratch cards as gifts. The project will run until 31 December 2026.

Stricter conditions for permanent residence permits Conditions for obtaining a permanent residence permit will be tightened. The President of the Republic approved the relevant amendments to the Aliens Act on 22 December. The amendments entered in...

10.10.2025 | A study commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior looks at how Ukrainians are managing in Finland, focusing on their employment, future plans and whether they intend to return to Ukraine after their temporary protection ends. Progress in language skills and registering with municipal services after leaving the reception system have helped Ukrainians settle in Finland. However, the relatively low employment rate remains a challenge.

16.6.2026 | 1(4) 12 June 2026 WORKING LIFE RECOMMENDATIONS IN CASE OF DRONE THREATS The social partners, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health together have prepared these recommendations for workplaces ...

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...

22.12.2025 | The conditions for obtaining a permanent residence permit will be tightened. For example, the continuous period of residence required for the permit will be extended. Applicants will also be required to demonstrate higher integrity, proficiency in Finnish or Swedish and have a work history of a certain length. The President of the Republic approved the relevant amendments to the Aliens Act on 22 December. The amendments will enter into force on 8 January 2026.

12.6.2025 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a draft guide intended to support the planning of the activation and use of civil defence shelters and to harmonise the preparation of related plans. The deadline for submitting comments is 11.8. 2025.

29.8.2025 | Public trust in the police has remained stable for a long time. Of those who responded to the latest Police Barometer survey, 92 per cent trust the police a lot or a fair amount. Respectful treatment of people by the police and fair police activities affect people’s trust.

5.6.2025 | The conditions for obtaining a permanent residence permit will be tightened. For example, the continuous period of residence required for the permit will be extended. Applicants will also be required to demonstrate proficiency in Finnish or Swedish and have a work history of a certain length. The Government submitted to Parliament the relevant proposal for amending the Aliens Act on 5 June.

27.8.2024 | The Ministry of the Interior has set up a project for the second phase of the Rescue Act reform. The government proposal is due to be submitted to Parliament in autumn 2025.

17.4.2023 | The final report of the preliminary study on the monopoly for gambling activities was submitted to the Ministry of the Interior on 17 April 2023. The objective of the project, for which the Ministry of the Interior appointed a research group on 5 January 2023, was to describe the current state of affairs and map out alternative models for the gambling system to support political decision-making. 

20.12.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has commissioned an external study on the organisation of migration administration. Requested by the leaders of the five government parties, the study aims to provide an overall picture of migration legislation, processes related to entry into and stay in Finland, and the roles of national authorities.