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29.5.2026 | Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie will attend an informal meeting of EU ministers of culture in Lefkosia on 1–2 June. At the meeting, the EU ministers of culture will discuss safeguarding cultural rights in the digital era and preventing the illicit export of cultural goods. The themes have links to both the rapid development of artificial intelligence and the increasingly tense security situation.

16.1.2026 | The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) will take place in Davos, Switzerland, on 19–23 January. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will attend the meeting.

19.2.2026 | Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday 18 February and participated in the AI Impact Summit hosted by Prime Minister Modi on 19 February.

11.2.2026 | The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Finnish missions abroad provided consular services to approximately 245,000 customers in 2025. In addition, the Ministry’s 24/7 service was contacted around 6,700 times over the course of the year.

25.2.2026 | Security policy topics, which have dominated international coverage on Finland since 2022, continued as the key theme in 2025. The number of news headlines about Finland was lower than the previous year, but President of the Republic Alexander Stubb assumed a significantly more visible role on the international stage. Country brand surveys indicate that Finland’s brand has become more positive, and awareness of Finland has increased since 2024.

27.11.2025 | The Government has issued a decree which determines the amount of the healthcare fee, the late payment fee and the fee for an unattended appointment charged from higher education students in 2026.

5.12.2025 | Closing statement by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen, delivered by Vice Minister Pasi Rajala at the Closing Session of the OSCE Ministerial Council 5 December 2025.

29.8.2025 | At the presidential session on Friday 29 August, the President of the Republic appointed Antti Kaski to serve as Ambassador in Brasília. The President of the Republic appointed Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Bern to serve as a non-resident Ambassador to Liechtenstein, and Head of Mission at the Embassy in Lima to serve as a non-resident Ambassador to Ecuador.

7.1.2026 | Finland’s term as Chairperson of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) ended on the last day of 2025. Last year marked 50 years since the CSCE meeting in Helsinki and the adoption of the Helsinki Final Act. The principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act are as relevant today as they were fifty years ago because they represent the essence of humanity: the yearning for freedom, cooperation and peace.

25.4.2025 | At the presidential session on 25 April, the President of the Republic appointed the following persons to serve as heads of missions: Okko-Pekka Salmimies, Bern; Pekka Voutilainen, Hanoi; Jukka Siukosaari, Copenhagen; Riina-Riikka Heikka, Nairobi; Olli Kantanen, Stockholm; Eevamari Laaksonen, Pristina; Minna Laajava, Los Angeles.

5.8.2025 | Representatives of UN Member States will negotiate on the Global Plastics Treaty in Geneva, Switzerland on 5–14 August. The negotiation situation is very challenging, and there is also an increasing political pressure to reach an agreement. The demanding foreign policy situation has also made the negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty more difficult.

23.4.2025 | If you are a citizen of a non-EU country and are not a citizen of a EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you will need a residence permit for studies. Apply for a residence permit in the Enter Finland online service first and then book an appointment for identification. It is advisable to book the appointment as soon as possible, as the missions may be busy during the summer months.

25.2.2025 | Permanent State Secretary Jukka Salovaara will visit Geneva, Switzerland, from 25 to 26 February. He will deliver Finland’s address to a High-Level Segment of the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council and to a High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament.

14.10.2024 | The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) will meet in Luxembourg on Tuesday 15 October. The meeting will focus mainly on preparations for the October European Council. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand will represent Finland at the meeting.

9.4.2024 | The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) delivered its decision today in a case brought by six Portuguese young persons against 33 states, including Finland, concerning the harmful effects of climate change. The decision is final.

16.12.2024 | The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) will meet in Brussels on Tuesday 17 December. In their meeting, the ministers will continue preparations for the upcoming European Council and approve conclusions on EU enlargement. Finland’s Permanent Representative to the European Union, Jori Arvonen, will represent Finland at the meeting.

30.6.2023 | The President of the Republic appointed a new Head of Mission to the Permanent Mission of Finland in Geneva at the presidential session on 29 June.

12.1.2024 | The 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) will take place in Davos, Switzerland, on 15–19 January. Finland will be represented at the meeting by Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen and Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkänen.

26.2.2024 | Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit Geneva, Switzerland, on 26 February. She will deliver Finland’s address to a High-Level Segment of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council.

10.1.2023 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin will take part in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday 17 January.

9.10.2023 | The Government proposes amendments to the Act on Student Healthcare for Higher Education Students and the Act on the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. The Student Healthcare Act would be harmonised with the relevant EU Regulation in respect of reimbursements regarding students from certain European countries, and the provisions of the Act on the financial process would be specified.

14.7.2023 | The Government appointed Counsellor Petri Hakkarainen as Counsellor for Foreign Affairs as of 1 September 2023 and assigned him to serve as Director General of the Political Department for a fixed term from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2027.

11.9.2023 | The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) will hold its 54th session from 11 September to 13 October in Geneva, Switzerland.

2.3.2023 | The Act on Cross-Border Health Care will be amended. The legislative amendments will enter into force on 1 May 2023. The most central amendment deals with renewing the right to reimbursement under the Directive on the Application of Patients’ Rights in Cross-Border Healthcare.

11.12.2023 | The 75th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be celebrated on 11–12 December in Geneva, Switzerland. The Global Refugee Forum will be held in Geneva on 13–15 December. State Secretary Lauri Tierala will represent Finland at both events.

2.6.2023 | On 2 June, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child issued recommendations to Finland based on Finland's combined fifth and sixth periodic reports on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocols thereto.

16.6.2023 | The UN Human Rights Council convenes for its 53rd Regular Session from 19 June to 14 July in Geneva, Switzerland.

23.5.2022 | Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on 22–26 May. The meeting was originally scheduled to take place in February but, due to the difficult COVID-19 situation, it was postponed until May.

15.9.2022 | The Government proposes amendments to the Act on Cross-Border Health Care. The most central amendments deal with renewing the right to reimbursement under the Directive on the Application of Patients’ Rights in Cross-border Healthcare.

17.1.2023 | Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka will attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on 17–19 January 2023.

19.12.2022 | Finland and a number of other top countries in quantum technology have launched a portal for cooperation. The portal provides information on collaboration opportunities between the countries in quantum technology, especially in doctoral degrees, advanced studies and visitor exchanges.

18.1.2023 | On 18 January 2023, Minister of Transport and Communications of Finland Timo Harakka and Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Finnish and Ukrainian Ministries on cooperation to promote digital resistance and transformation.

17.11.2022 | The healthcare fee charged from higher education students for using student healthcare services will be EUR 73.60, or EUR 36.80 per term, in 2023. Compared to 2022, the fee will increase by EUR 2 to improve the availability of services. The late payment fee and the charge for an unattended appointment will remain unchanged.

19.1.2024 | In 2023, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the missions abroad provided consular services to approximately 244,000 customers. The demand for advisory services remained high. Over the course of the year, the Ministry’s 24/7 service was contacted around 8,000 times in total.

16.1.2023 | Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto and Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari will attend the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. Minister Haavisto will be in Davos from 17 to 19 January and Minister Skinnari from 17 to 18 January.

17.6.2022 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is requesting comments on a draft proposal to amend the Act on Cross-Border Health Care. The most central amendments deal with renewing the right to reimbursement under the Directive on the Application of Patients’ Rights in Cross-border Healthcare.

26.2.2023 | Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will visit Geneva, Switzerland, from 26 to 27 February. He will deliver Finland’s address to a High-Level Segment of the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council on 27 February.

17.1.2023 | Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka will attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on 17–19 January 2023.

18.1.2023 | On 18 January 2023, Minister of Transport and Communications of Finland Timo Harakka and Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Finnish and Ukrainian Ministries on cooperation to promote digital resistance and transformation.

16.9.2021 | The Government has approved Finland’s participation in seven European regional co-operation programmes, i.e. the Interreg programme series. These programmes support cross-border, transnational and interregional co-operation. They are part of the upcoming EU regional and structural policy programming period, and are co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

17.1.2023 | Prime Minister Sanna Marin participated in several discussions at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on 17 January.

14.11.2022 | A study on international adoption brings together topical discussion and studies carried out in four European countries concerning international adoption. 

20.12.2022 | From 1 January 2023 onwards, the wellbeing services counties must provide necessary non-urgent healthcare services for undocumented persons and persons whose status resembles that of an undocumented person. 

28.7.2023 | The EU has updated its Single Market Scoreboard especially with regard to the transposition of EU legislation in 2022. The results indicate that Member States have made some progress in implementing and enforcing the single market rules despite the shock to the single market caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finland’s performance continues to be above EU average.

16.6.2022 | The Government has appointed Jari Luoto, Master of Social Sciences, as Director General at the Prime Minister’s Office for a fixed term period from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2027.

4.10.2022 | On Thursday 6 and Friday 7 October, Prime Minister Sanna Marin will attend two high-level meetings hosted by the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU in Prague. The first ever meeting of the European Political Community will take place on Thursday, followed by an informal meeting of the members of the European Council on Friday.

23.5.2022 | Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka will attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on 23-25 May 2022. The World Economic Forum brings together the world's most influential political and business leaders, and representatives of research, the media and other fields of expertise, to seek solutions to global challenges together. Russia's war of aggression...

6.10.2022 | At the meeting of European leaders in Prague on Thursday 6 October, Prime Minister Sanna Marin stressed that Europe must continue its strong and united support to Ukraine so that Ukraine can win the war. The first meeting of the European Political Community brought together the heads of state or government of more than 40 countries across Europe.

Liitetiedostot Kansio Yksityiskohdat Tuotteita 10 Luonut Tuomo-Pekka Arhi Sijainti Agenda 2030 - Voluntary National Review Finland 2025 Tässä kansiossa ei ole asiakirjoja tai mediatiedostoja. Asiakirjat Views of the Citizen Panel on sustainable de...

23.5.2022 | Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka will attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on 23-25 May 2022. The World Economic Forum brings together the world's most influential political and business leaders, and representatives of research, the media and other fields of expertise, to seek solutions to global challenges together. Russia's war of aggression...

5.12.2023 | Findings of the OECD’s PISA 2022 (Programme for International Student Assessment) show that while the performance of Finnish young people has deteriorated, it remains above the OECD average. PISA 2022 focused on mathematical literacy.

19.1.2023 | In 2022, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the missions abroad provided consular services to a total of approximately 256,000 customers. The demand for advisory services, in particular, continued to grow. During the year, the ministry’s 24/7 service received more than 8,000 contacts in total.

25.2.2022 | Finland strongly condemns Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. On 24 February, the Government decided to supplement its support to Ukraine by EUR 10 million of new funding.

16.9.2021 | Minister of Science and Culture Antti Kurvinen has signed a decision by which Finland endorses the Davos Declaration. The Davos Declaration promotes and advocates interest in high-quality design and construction of built environments, which embrace cultural expressions of buildings and environmental planning while also fulfilling functional, technical and economic requirements. The Davos Declaration was originally published in 2018 in connection with the World Economic Forum.

10.5.2021 | The main themes of the General Affairs Council meeting on Tuesday 11 May in Brussels will be the preparations for the special European Council on 24–25 May and the coordination of the EU’s response to COVID-19. Minister of European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen is unable to attend the meeting due to quarantine regulations and Parliament’s vote on the EU recovery package on Wednesday 12 May.

13.1.2021 | The EU health ministers will hold an informal videoconference on Wednesday 13 January. The theme of the conference will be the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations in the EU Member States. Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru will represent Finland at the conference.

22.12.2021 | The COVID-19 pandemic has affected tourism in many ways, and even experienced travellers may encounter unexpected situations. We recommend that you plan and find out about matters in advance to make sure that your journey proceeds as planned. The Consular Services of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs approaches travellers in a letter with a number of tips on how to cope in various situations.

8.9.2021 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and the Social Insurance Institution of Finland will start preparing the technical implementation and operating model which will allow Finland to issue the EU COVID-19 vaccination certificate to people who have received a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in a non-EU country.

20.5.2021 | On 20 May, the Government decided to extend the restrictions on entry into the country until 15 June 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, and we do not yet have adequate measures available to replace the restrictions. For this reason, and to curb the spread of COVID-19 variants, both internal border controls and restrictions on external border traffic will continue. Minor amendments will be made to the decisions adopted on 22 April. These will enter into force on 24 May.

13.4.2021 | Finland's development cooperation expenditure in 2020 amounted to EUR 1 119 million. This represented 0.47 per cent of Finland's gross national income (GNI). Last year, the total amount of the exclusive ODA budget item administered by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs was EUR 708.4 million.