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19.12.2025 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is requesting comments on a draft government proposal that would extend the right of small alcohol producers to sell their products for takeaway. In future, a larger number of domestic alcohol producers could sell alcoholic beverages produced by them directly to consumers at production premises. Comments on the draft proposal can be submitted between 19 December 2025 and 13 February 2026.

30.4.2026 | FINNISH GOVERNMENT PO Box 23, FI-00023 Government, Finland vn.fi/en Tel. +358 295 16001 VALTIONEUVOSTO PL 23, 00023 Valtioneuvosto vn.fi p. 0295 16001 1(8) Spending limits session of Prime Minister Orpo’s Government on 21–22 April 2026 Entries in ...

MSC 108/20/Add.1 Annex 12, page 1 I:\MSC\108\MSC 108-20-Add.1.docx ANNEX 12 RESOLUTION MSC.560(108) (adopted on 23 May 2024) AMENDMENTS TO PART A OF THE SEAFARERS' TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING (STCW) CODE THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE,...

10.9.2024 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment have appointed Antti Neimala to carry out a study on the possibilities to allow sales of wines with up to 15 per cent alcohol outside the Alko monopoly.

12.2.2026 | The health status of people in Finland is in many respects better than the EU average, and the service system is fairly comprehensive. However, a recent country report by the OECD and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies indicates that access to care is not realised equally in Finland. In 2024, 12.4% of those who required medical care reported that they had not received the services they needed. The share is the second highest in the EU.

19.10.2023 | An amendment to the Alcohol Act is being circulated for comments until 23 November 2023. At present, retail trade licences can be granted for the sale of alcoholic beverages containing up to 5.5 per cent alcohol by volume. The proposed amendment would also allow the sale of alcoholic beverages produced by fermentation and containing 5.5 –8.0 per cent alcohol.

12.6.2025 | The Government proposed stricter legislation concerning micromobility on 12 June 2025. The amendments to the Road Traffic Act and the Vehicles Act would enter into force on 17 June 2025 and the amendments to the Act on Transport Services and the Act on the Transfer of Vehicles on 1 August 2025. The aim of the proposal is to improve the safety of electric scooters and other micromobility vehicles.

22.4.2026 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government has agreed on the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2027–2030. Both the global economy and Finland’s finances are facing challenges. In its spending limits session, the Government focused on new targeted measures to strengthen people’s confidence in the future and improve the conditions for growth and employment.

10.12.2025 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications has launched a legislative project to introduce a comprehensive reform of the Driving Licence Act, as the new Driving Licences Directive and the updated driving disqualifications rules of the EU shall be transposed into national legislation. The Directive calls for amendments to the driving licences regulation throughout the EU.

10.10.2024 | The Government proposes an amendment to the Alcohol Act that would allow the delivery of alcoholic beverages to customers. In practice, the amendment would allow, for example, home deliveries and online sales of alcoholic beverages.

6.3.2025 | The Government submitted a legislative proposal relating to micromobility to Parliament on 6 March 2025. The aim of the proposal is to improve the safety of electric scooters and other micromobility vehicles.

27.6.2025 | The President of the Republic approved the legislative amendments on aviation on 27 June 2025. The amendments aim to improve aviation safety and security. The Acts will enter into force on 1 September 2025.

5.7.2024 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is requesting comments on a government proposal that would allow the delivery of alcoholic beverages from domestic retail outlets directly to recipients. This proposal is part of the implementation of the Government Programme. Comments on the government proposal can be submitted between 5 July and 30 August 2024.

24.9.2024 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications requests comments on the draft government proposal for legislation on micromobility to improve the safety of electric scooters and other micromobility vehicles. The deadline for submitting comments is 1 November 2024.

3.4.2025 | The Government submitted to Parliament a legislative proposal on aviation on 3 April 2025. The proposal aims to improve aviation safety.

8.4.2025 | Young people’s traffic safety has recently gained widespread attention following the tragic traffic accidents in Nurmijärvi.

12.2.2021 | On 11 February 2021, the European Commission requested that Finnish authorities provide further information on the regulation of retail sales of beverages containing up to 5.5% alcohol by volume. The request is related to the so-called EU Pilot mechanism between the Commission and a Member State.

12.11.2024 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications requests comments on a draft government proposal for amending legislative amendments to improve aviation safety. Provisions on the permission to set up obstacles to air navigation under the Aviation Act would also be amended at the same time. The deadline for submitting comments is 31 December 2024.

5.11.2020 | The Government has made a clarification to the Decree on temporarily restricting the activities of food and beverage service businesses that it issued on 29 October. Under the Decree, food and beverage service businesses may begin serving alcohol at 7.00 at the earliest. This applies to all regions regardless of their epidemiological situation.

20.6.2024 | On Thursday 20 June, the Government appointed Markus Henriksson as Director General of the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) until the end of 2025.

28.2.2024 | Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen has invited Eemil Nuuttila to serve as her Special Adviser. Nuuttila will deputise for Special Adviser Niilo Heinonen during his family leave between 1 March and 31 July 2024.

6.8.2025 | The Ministry of Finance's draft budget for 2026 implements the guidelines of the Government’s spring mid-term policy review and includes the Minister of Finance's new adjustment measures proposed by the Minister of Finance to ensure that the debt ratio stabilises towards the end of the parliamentary term. The draft budget totals EUR 89.6 billion and involves a deficit of EUR 9.9 billion. When enter...

29.1.2024 | A recent report compares Finns’ state of health and Finnish health services with other EU states and Nordic countries. Released by the European Commission, focus areas of the report include the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and mental health. Although Finland does well in many respects, there are challenges especially in the availability of health services.

2.3.2023 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications invites comments on a memorandum concerning micromobility and the use of electric scooters. Comments can be submitted between 2 and 31 March 2023.

17.11.2022 | Aalto University has published a study on the use and safety of electric scooters in Helsinki. The research project on the use of electric scooters looked into how cities are continuously changing. It was funded by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, City of Helsinki and three companies offering electric scooter rentals, Voi, TIER and Lime.

17.11.2022 | Aalto University has published a study on the use and safety of electric scooters in Helsinki. The research project on the use of electric scooters looked into how cities are continuously changing. It was funded by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, City of Helsinki and three companies offering electric scooter rentals, Voi, TIER and Lime.

2.3.2023 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications invites comments on a memorandum concerning micromobility and the use of electric scooters. Comments can be submitted between 2 and 31 March 2023.

5.7.2023 | Laura Rissanen is to serve as State Secretary to Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen. The minister has invited Sakari Rokkanen and Niilo Heinonen to serve as special assistants.

16.12.2022 | Otto Köngäs took up his duties as Special Adviser to Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru on 16 December 2022. He will be responsible for issues involving alcohol and drugs, mental health, and services for older people and people with disabilities and children and young people.

State ownership steering and ownership policy State ownership policy is active, open and pragmatic. The State develops its shareholdings using the tools of a responsible owner and aims for a long-term increase in ownership value. The premises for ...

27.1.2022 | On 27 January, the Government’s Ministerial Working Group on COVID-19 received an update on the epidemiological situation and the authorities’ assessments of its development. The ministerial working group proposes changes to the restrictions on restaurants and low-risk facilities and events.

31.1.2022 | At its meeting on 7 January, the Ministerial Working Group on COVID-19 issued a recommendation that people meet with no more than five persons outside their immediate family at a time. In a written procedure on Monday 31 January, the Ministerial Working Group decided to lift this recommendation as of 1 February.

2.6.2023 | The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has issued recommendations to Finland on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the child. The recommendations concern, for example, child welfare, the prevention of violence against children, the rights of children with disabilities, issues related to children's mental health and social security.

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.

21.11.2024 | On Thursday 21 November, the Government submitted its proposal to Parliament to amend the budget proposal for 2025. Some items in the proposal concern the Government's EUR 4 billion investment programme. The proposal will increase the revenue estimate by EUR 67 million and the requirement for appropriations by EUR 405 million.

9.4.2021 | A new Substance Abuse and Addiction Strategy was published on 9 April. It outlines joint development work, objectives and priority areas until 2030. The aim is to prevent and reduce the risks, harms and problems caused by the use of alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products as well as drug use and gambling in all age groups.

9.12.2022 | The EU health ministers will meet in Brussels on Friday 9 December to discuss mental health, vaccine procurements and cancer screening, among others. At the meeting, Finland will be represented by Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru.

13.9.2021 | On 13 September, the Ministerial Working Group on Health and Social Services discussed the COVID-19 situation in Finland and the restrictions in place. The Ministerial Working Group proposes easing the restrictions on food and beverage service businesses. The Government will decide on the matter at an extraordinary session on 14 September.

14.9.2021 | The Government has issued a decree restricting the activities of restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses owing to the COVID-19 epidemic. The current restrictions for the acceleration and community transmission phases will be amended to extend the opening and licensing hours of food and beverage service businesses by one hour. In areas where the epidemic is at a stable level, customers will no longer be required to have their own seats in indoor premises.

26.2.2021 | The Government has issued a new decree restricting the activities of food and beverage service businesses, namely restaurants, cafés, bars and nightclubs, owing to the COVID-19 epidemic. Food and beverage service businesses must ensure sufficient distances between customers and customer groups more effectively than before. They must arrange their activities in indoor spaces in such a way that customers are guided to their seats.

4.6.2021 | On 4 June 2021, the Ministerial Working Group on Health and Social Services discussed the COVID-19 situation in Finland and the restrictions in place. They recommend that certain restrictions should be eased. The Government is due to decide on the matter urgently in the week starting 7 June.

16.9.2021 | The Government has amended the decree restricting the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Owing to the improved epidemiological situation, the restrictions on opening and licensing hours will be lifted in Kainuu and in the Hospital District of South Savo, and eased in South Ostrobothnia.

23.9.2021 | The Government has amended the decree restricting the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Based on the current epidemiological situation, the restrictions on the maximum permitted number of customers and on opening and licensing hours will be lifted in North Ostrobothnia. In addition, restrictions will be eased in Kymenlaakso and Pirkanmaa and tightened in Satakunta.

21.12.2021 | In its negotiations on Tuesday 21 December, the Government discussed the COVID-19 situation and decided on new restrictions and other necessary measures. In addition to increasing vaccination coverage, effective national and regional measures to limit close contacts are needed to slow down the spread of the epidemic. This will allow more time for giving people third vaccine doses.

6.5.2021 | The Government has amended the decree restricting the activities of restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The amendment to the decree will enter into force on 7 May at 00.00.

8.8.2024 | The Ministry of Finance’s draft budget for 2025 implements the Government’s policies to strengthen general government finances. The draft budget totals EUR 88.1 billion and shows a deficit of EUR 12.2 billion.

29.4.2021 | The Finnish authorities have responded to the query sent by the European Commission on 11 February 2021 under the Pilot mechanism concerning the regulation of retail sales of alcoholic beverages containing a maximum of 5.5 percentages by volume ethyl.

21.12.2021 | In its negotiations on Tuesday 21 December, the Government discussed the COVID-19 situation and decided on new restrictions and other necessary measures. In addition to increasing vaccination coverage, effective national and regional measures to limit close contacts are needed to slow down the spread of the epidemic. This will allow more time for giving people third vaccine doses.

24.2.2022 | The Government has on repealed section 3, subsection 3 and sections 4 and 6 of the decree (1223/2021) that restricts the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. This means that the restrictions on the opening and alcohol serving hours as well as restrictions on the number of customers and customer seats in restaurants will be lifted.

4.2.2021 | On 4 February, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal for an act on temporarily amending the Communicable Diseases Act. The amendment would extend the validity of the provisions on restrictions concerning food and beverage service businesses, namely restaurants, bars and cafes. The current Act on Temporarily Amending the Communicable Diseases Act is in force until 28 February 2021. W...

29.4.2021 | The Government has amended the decree restricting the activities of restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The amendment to the decree will enter into force on 30 April at 00.00.

24.3.2022 | In its resolution on Transport Safety Strategy, the Government outlines measures that aim at improving transport safety and preventing traffic accidents. The resolution was adopted on 24 March 2022. The purpose of the Strategy is to raise the overall level of transport safety on land, in water and in the air.  

9.12.2021 | The Government Resolution on drug policy will continue national cooperation in preventing drug-related harm. The Resolution was adopted on 9 December 2021.

23.4.2025 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government has agreed on the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2026–2029. The decisions focus on reinforcing the conditions for economic growth and enhancing the security of Finland and the Finnish people. At the same time, the Government will ensure that public finances are sustainable. The growth package will be financed responsibly through measures to increase general government revenue and reduce expenditure.

16.12.2021 | The Government has amended the decree that restricts the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The restrictions on food and beverage services businesses that are necessary to prevent the spread of the epidemic will be introduced in the whole of Lapland and the Hospital District of South Savo.

16.8.2019 | The use of tobacco products among Finnish adolescents has long been declining. Over the past two years, however, the decreasing trend seems to have stopped. Snus use is on the rise, even among girls. The decline in alcohol consumption among Finnish young people has also stopped.

24.3.2022 | In its resolution on Transport Safety Strategy, the Government outlines measures that aim at improving transport safety and preventing traffic accidents. The resolution was adopted on 24 March 2022. The purpose of the Strategy is to raise the overall level of transport safety on land, in water and in the air.  

22.4.2021 | The Government has amended the decree restricting the activities of restaurants and other food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The amendment to the decree will enter into force on 23 April at 00.00.

3.12.2021 | The Government has amended the decree restricting the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses that are necessary to prevent the spread of the epidemic will be introduced in Åland.

2.12.2021 | The Government has amended the decree restricting the activities of food and beverage service businesses due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Restrictions on food and beverage service businesses in community transmission areas will be introduced in the region of Central Finland and the City of Rovaniemi.