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Oversight of legality safeguards the quality of authorities’ activities All exercise of public powers must be based on the law, and the law must be strictly observed in all aspects of public governance. Laid down in the Constitution, the principle...

Civilian intelligence protects Finland’s national security

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...

31.7.2026 | Temporary protection for Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s war of aggression has been extended. On 30 July 2026, EU countries agreed to extend the temporary protection status granted to those fleeing Ukraine by one year. Temporary protection for Ukrainians fleeing the war will continue until 4 March 2028.

23.10.2023 | The Ministry has set up three projects aimed at tightening the rules on international protection in line with the Government Programme. The planned changes will make international protection temporary in nature and introduce the option to withdraw protection if the applicant commits a serious offence. Finland will also introduce a new border procedure and make the asylum process more efficient.

23.2.2021 | The research project ordered by the Government surveys what types of complementary pathways for legal migration are available in different countries for use by people residing abroad who are in need of international protection. The focus is on work- and study-based pathways. This international comparison can help to support the consideration of the need of complimentary pathways in Finland as well as the international community’s efforts to find new solutions.

20.8.2020 | The various provisions on the processing of personal data by authorities dealing with migration matters will be brought together in a new act. The Government submitted the bill for approval on Thursday 20 August. The President of the Republic is to approve the bill on Friday. The act will then enter into force on 1 September.

7.9.2023 | At its meeting on 7 September, the Government decided that Finland would no longer grant temporary protection and new residence permits to those third-country nationals who have fled Ukraine and who were not granted international protection or a permanent residence permit by Ukraine. This decision will not affect the protection already granted or the validity of the residence permits already issued.

8.7.2022 | On 27 April, the European Commission issued a package on reforming legal migration. The package included a Communication on attracting skills and talent to the EU, and proposals for the revision of the Single Permit Directive and the Long-Term Residents Directive. The Finnish Government expressed its views on the proposed Directives in statements issued to the Parliament on 8 July.

7.3.2022 | The EU has activated the Temporary Protection Directive to help people fleeing Ukraine. The Council decision, which entered into force on 4 March, left a certain amount of discretion for Member States to decide the exact category of people to be granted protection. Finland will apply protection more extensively than what is defined in the EU-wide decision. The Government adopted a decision on the matter on 7 March.

12.11.2021 | At the initiative of the Ministry of the Interior, the Finnish Government commissioned a study examining the types of complementary pathways for legal migration available in different countries for use by people in need of international protection. The focus of the study was on labour-based and study-based complementary pathways. The results confirm that there is a need for legal pathways, as has been discussed in Finland, and they support the EU in seeking new solutions to migration.

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.

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.

19.4.2017 | A working group is proposing the adoption of intelligence legislation in Finland which aims to improve our protection capabilities against serious threats to national security. Such threats include terrorism, espionage by foreign states or disruption of critical infrastructure. The purpose of this legislation is to enable effective information gathering on these threats, and in this way to support the decision-making of the state leaders.

10.7.2026 | The Finnish Ministry of the Interior requests views on a draft government proposal to extend the validity of the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration, known as the Border Security Act. The purpose of the act is to prevent the use of instrumentalised migration to put pressure on Finland. 

Departments and units Police Department The Police Department deals with matters concerning the police administration under the National Police Board, combating crime, public order and security, licencing, firearms, gambling policy, the private se...

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...

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...