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The aim of terminology work at the Prime Minister's Office is to harmonise the terms used in government texts, both in the national languages of Finland and in foreign languages, and to promote clear communication. This facilitates cooperation between branches of government and ensures that the same terms are used consistently across languages.

20.5.2026 | The views on data centres and their electricity use presented in public tend to either depict the centres as a threat to the sufficiency of electricity or, alternatively, highlight the necessity and benefits of such investments. However, data centres are not a black-and-white issue. Data centres should be seen as a part of the overall economic change, data sovereignty and general electrification. Thro...

Management and organisation of the Prime Minister’s Office The Prime Minister is the head of the Prime Minister's Office. The Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering is responsible for certain EU-related matters and for state ownershi...

30.4.2026 | The security situation in the Middle East affects the operation of Finland's missions and VFS application centres in the region. The availability of services may be temporarily limited.

22.1.2025 | Handbook on Lifelong Guidance is an easy-to-use tool for all professionals involved in lifelong guidance.

19.5.2025 | Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio appointed a new Team Finland Executive Group on 16 May 2025.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo visited Kyiv on 28 May 2025. Finland supports Ukraine On 24 February 2022, Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine in breach of the UN Charter and international law. Finland strongly condemns Russia’s military actions in...

24.2.2026 | The Finnish Government discussed recommendations, decisions and conclusions issued to Finland by international human rights monitoring bodies. Based on the discussion, the state secretaries of the parties in Government decided on further measures related to the recommendations. This was the second discussion held as part of the implementation of the Government’s equality statement.

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 ...

22.12.2025 | The timing and content of health checks at child health clinics and schools, and in student healthcare and oral healthcare will be regulated in future by government decree. Upper secondary level student health checks and preliminary health examinations for compulsory military service will be combined, and an electronic health questionnaire will be introduced.

15.1.2024 | Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres) have handled their tasks well, albeit with room for improvement in the steering system and agency structure, states a newly published external evaluation report on the agency entity comprising the ELY Centres.

22.9.2025 | The Government proposes to update legislation on children and young people’s health checks. Under the proposal, the timing and content of health checks in child health clinics, school and student healthcare, and oral healthcare would in future be regulated in a government decree instead of an act. The health check in student healthcare at upper secondary level would be combined with the pre-conscription health examination, and an electronic health questionnaire would be introduced. 

12.3.2025 | The last projects of the Catch the Carbon package of climate measures ended at the end of 2024. The implementation of the knowledge and climate change resilient solutions produced in the package of 180 measures will continue and be further intensified through cooperation in different parts of the country. The processes to support this include the activities of the National Climate Unit of the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres).

9.3.2026 | EU ministers will convene for a meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council in Brussels on 9 March. Minister of Social Affairs and Health Wille Rydman will represent Finland at the meeting.

18.12.2024 | The structures and responsibilities for organising employment services will be reformed at the turn of the year. As a result of the reform, the responsibility for organising employment and integration services will be transferred to municipalities and employment areas formed by municipalities. The role of the central government will focus on guidance, development and the nationwide functioning of the employment service system.

1.9.2022 | The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has granted municipalities EUR 3 million to develop guidance and counselling services for immigrants. The subsidies were awarded to 21 projects implemented by municipalities, which aim to improve the integration and employment of immigrants. 

28.5.2025 | The Ministry of Education and Culture has prepared a programme to advocate equity and non-discrimination in early childhood education and care, in schools and in educational institutions. The measures will be carried out over the 2025 to 2027 period.

23.12.2025 | The strategy aims to develop the social economy and social entrepreneurship and to improve the operating conditions of social enterprises in Finland.

21.11.2024 | At its meeting on 19 November 2024, the ministerial working group endorsed the submission of the updated roadmap under the EU Digital Decade 2030 programme to the European Commission. The ministerial working group also resolved to re-evaluate the transparency of critical infrastructure information and held discussions on legislation for the reform of regional state administration.

5.3.2026 | March 2026 1 Finland simplification proposals Contents 1. Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) (EU) 2023/1791 ................................................. 3 2. Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) (EU) 2022/2577 ....................................

21.5.2025 | English Style Guide A handbook for translators, revisers and authors of government texts Prime Minister’s Office, Finland ENGLISH STYLE GUIDE | PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, FINLAND | 2025 2 Contents Quick reference guide .................................

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.

21.5.2025 | English Style Guide A handbook for translators, revisers and authors of government texts Prime Minister’s Office, Finland ENGLISH STYLE GUIDE | PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, FINLAND | 2025 2 Contents Quick reference guide .................................

29.4.2025 | 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(11) Government discussions on the General Government Fiscal Plan 22–23 April 2025 Entries in t...

20.12.2024 | The start of 2025 will see the entry into force of new acts and decrees. The most important changes in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment are summarised below.

21.9.2023 | On Thursday 21 September, the Government appointed Kimmo Kohvakka, Master of Military Science, as Director General for Rescue Services at the Ministry of the Interior for the period from 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2028.

21.5.2025 | 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(44) Useful phrases for correspondence This collection of useful phrases for correspondence in ...

1.9.2022 | The measures taken in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will support socially, economically and ecologically sustainable economic growth. Combating climate change, utilising all available labour input and boosting productivity growth are key objectives in the administrative branch.

8.9.2022 | The Government has adopted a government proposal to boost investments in the green transition*. The aim is to reduce Finland’s dependence on fossil energy, increase energy self-sufficiency and move towards an ecologically more sustainable economy. The proposal would prioritise the permit applications concerning investment projects that are important for the green transition in the permit procedu...

18.6.2021 | An audit commissioned by the Ministry of Employment and the Economy of grants made by Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres) for SME development projects has been completed. The audit sought to provide information on the guidance, oversight and reporting of financing granted due to the COVID-19 epidemic. It was conducted by BDO Audiator Ltd for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.

2.12.2021 | The Ministerial Working Group on Promoting Employment decided on 2 December 2021 on the funding model for the TE services reform 2024 as an incentive for municipalities to develop and offer efficient employment services. The ministerial working group also refined its previous outlines on tasks that are centralised nationally and tasks that are transferring to the municipalities.

7.10.2021 | The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has allocated EUR 3 million in discretionary government grants to a new Centre of Expertise for Social Enterprises in accordance with the Government policy outlined in its mid-term policy review. Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen signed the funding decision.

7.10.2022 | Commissioner Schmit met Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen and Minister of Social Affairs and Health Hanna Sarkkinen in Helsinki. They discussed issues related to the rights and livelihood of workers as well as homelessness.

16.12.2021 | The reception act will be amended so that the Finnish Immigration Service will have central responsibility for preparedness planning concerning the organisation of reception services in the event of a mass influx of migrants. The President of the Republic approved the bill for the act on Thursday 16 December. The act will enter into force on 1 January 2022.

7.9.2022 | In June-July, the Ministry of the Interior conducted an online survey to assess the situation and need for different services of Ukrainians who have fled to Finland. A total of 2,136 people responded to the survey.

31.5.2024 | Sandra Bergqvist, Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity, visited the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 30 and 31 May by invitation of the Council of Europe. The agenda included ways to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law in sports and physical activity.

10.6.2022 | Finland’s maternity clinic system celebrates its centenary this year. The system began in a renovated log cabin room of the Children’s Castle hospital in Helsinki.

15.2.2023 | During 2019–2023, the Government’s working capacity programme sought solutions to the employment problems of people with impaired capacity to work. At the same time, the programme developed more effective services to support working capacity. The closing event of the programme on 15 February examined the employment of people with impaired work capacity from the perspective of social sustainability, inclusion and the service system.

7.10.2021 | The Government proposes that the reception act be amended so that the Finnish Immigration Service would have central responsibility for preparedness planning concerning the organisation of reception services in the event of a mass influx of migrants. The amendment would improve preparedness for large numbers of migrants and clarify the division of duties between the authorities. The Government submitted a proposal on the amendment to Parliament on 7 October.

22.12.2021 | The Ministry of Education and Culture and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare have updated two recommendations related to the prevention of the COVID-19 epidemic. One of the recommendations applies to providers of early childhood education and care and school education, and the second to providers of general upper secondary education and vocational education and training, liberal adult education, basic education for adults, universities of applied sciences and universities.