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28.3.2024 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications is requesting comments on a memorandum assessing legislative amendments required for road transport automation in Finland. Comments on the memorandum can be submitted until 17 May 2024.

25.3.2024 | The development measures of the employment and economic development services (TE services), the Finnish Immigration Service and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment reduced the processing time of residence permits for employed persons to an average of 41 days in February 2024 from the previous year’s figure of 77 days.

25.11.2021 | On 25 November 2021, the Government adopted a resolution on promoting automation in the transport sector. It is Finland's aim to be one of the pioneers of transport automation, and with the resolution the Government wishes to guide the automation development to meet people's needs in a sustainable and safe manner.

25.11.2021 | On 25 November 2021, the Government adopted a resolution on promoting automation in the transport sector. It is Finland's aim to be one of the pioneers of transport automation, and with the resolution the Government wishes to guide the automation development to meet people's needs in a sustainable and safe manner.

4.11.2021 | The Government proposes that the President of the Republic approve amendments to the international Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. The amendments concern transport automation. Finland has actively promoted transport automation, which is why the adoption and international entry into force of the amendments are important for Finland.

4.11.2021 | The Government proposes that the President of the Republic approve amendments to the international Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. The amendments concern transport automation. Finland has actively promoted transport automation, which is why the adoption and international entry into force of the amendments are important for Finland.

5.5.2021 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications has, on 4 May 2021, invited comments about a draft government resolution on the promotion of transport automation. The resolution applies to all modes of transport. It opens up the current state of the development of automation and outlines the possible directions this development may take.

5.5.2021 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications has, on 4 May 2021, invited comments about a draft government resolution on the promotion of transport automation. The resolution applies to all modes of transport. It opens up the current state of the development of automation and outlines the possible directions this development may take.

15.7.2024 | Cooperation between the law enforcement authorities of the EU Member States and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) will be improved by developing automated search and exchange of data. The Ministry of the Interior set up a legislative project on 15 July 2024 to prepare the amendments to the national legislation that may be required by the EU Regulation.

9.6.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project to enable automated decision-making in the Finnish Immigration Service’s activities. This would make it possible to resolve simpler matters as efficiently as possible.

8.6.2026 | Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will lead a Team Finland trade mission to Dalarna and Västmanland, Sweden, on 9–10 June. The business delegation to accompany Minister Tavio consists of eight Finnish companies working in automation, smart grids and information networks, energy production and cloud services.

13.8.2026 | On 13 August 2026, the Government appointed Laura Eiro, Master of Laws, as Director General of the Information and Security Department at the Ministry of Transport and Communications for a new five-year period, from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2031.

19.10.2021 | Internationella sjöfartsorganisationens (IMO) sjösäkerhetskommitté har beslutat att främja automationen inom sjöfarten och föreslår att lagstiftning som möjliggör automation ska börja beredas. Finland deltog aktivt i beredningen av beslutet.

19.10.2021 | Internationella sjöfartsorganisationens (IMO) sjösäkerhetskommitté har beslutat att främja automationen inom sjöfarten och föreslår att lagstiftning som möjliggör automation ska börja beredas. Finland deltog aktivt i beredningen av beslutet.

16.4.2026 | On 16 April 2026, the Government proposed that the amendments made to the international Convention on Road Signs and Signals be approved. The amendments will have only minor effects in Finland.

5.3.2026 | On 5 March 2026, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal on approving the amendments made to the international Convention on Road Signs and Signals. The amendments would have only minor effects in Finland.

12.12.2025 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications is seeking comments on a Government draft on approving amendments to the Convention on Road Signs and Signals until 27 January 2026.

30.6.2025 | The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) met in London from 18 to 27 June 2025 for their 110th session.

27.3.2025 | The Government proposes that the President of the Republic approve the amendment to the Act on Transport Services and that it would enter into force on 14 April 2025. The President of the Republic is expected to approve the Act on Friday, 4 April 2025. Individual amendments were made to the Act due to EU regulation, for example.

19.12.2024 | The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) met for its 109th session in London from 2 to 6 December 2024.

24.10.2024 | On 24 October 2024, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal to amend the data provisions of the Act on Transport Services. The proposal concerns individual amendments that are needed, for example, due to EU regulation.

4.7.2024 | The Government proposes that the President of the Republic approve the new Act on the Distribution of Alternative Fuels for Transport and that the Act enter into force on 15 July 2024.

3.5.2024 | The strategy for digitalisation and information management in healthcare and social welfare sparked discussion at a meeting of the ministerial working group on a sustainable welfare society. The ministers of the working group recognise that digitalisation plays an important role in developing new ways of providing services and using existing information to support people’s wellbeing in Finland.

9.10.2023 | The Government will propose an appropriation of approximately EUR 2.5 billion for the administrative branch of the Ministry of the Interior in the 2024 Budget.

17.11.2022 | The Government proposes that the Vehicles Act and certain acts related to it be amended. The Government submitted a proposal on the matter to Parliament on 17 November 2022.

28.3.2024 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications requests comments on a draft government proposal for amending certain provisions on data in the Act on Transport Services. The proposal concerns individual amendments that are needed, for example, due to EU regulation. The deadline for submitting comments is 19 May 2024.

13.3.2024 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications is inviting comments on the government proposal for a new act on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure for transport. The deadline for submitting comments is 10 April 2024.

5.8.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a draft for amendments to the special legislation on migration. The purpose is to enable automated decision-making in the activities of the Finnish Immigration Service. This would make it possible to resolve simpler matters as efficiently as possible.

16.2.2023 | The amendments to the Aliens Act will streamline the application and decision-making process for work-based residence permits. The reform is part of a broader package that aims to reduce the average processing time of permits to a maximum of one month. The new provisions will increase the automation of the application process and introduce a certification for employers.

17.11.2022 | The Government proposes an amendment to the Aliens Act to enable clients of the Finnish Immigration Service to request an administrative review of decisions concerning residence permits for specialists and the EU Blue Card. The proposal aims to allow the Service to make automated decisions on these case types. The Government submitted its proposal to Parliament on 17 November.

6.6.2022 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications invites comments on a government proposal to amend the Vehicles Act and certain related acts.

6.6.2022 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications invites comments on a government proposal to amend the Vehicles Act and certain related acts.

20.12.2022 | The President of the Republic approved supplementary legislation on the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) on 20 December. The supplementary legislation amends the national legislation as required by the relevant European Parliament and Council regulations. 

21.11.2023 | The Talent Boost programme on work-based and education-based immigration will continue in a revised form during this Government term. The aim is to provide Finland with skills that meet its needs and to strengthen economic growth, employment and innovation activities. The ministerial working group on employment and entrepreneurship approved the programme on 21 November 2023.

21.8.2023 | The implementation of the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government has started at the Ministry of Transport and Communications. 

19.10.2021 | The Marine Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has decided to promote autonomous shipping. It proposes the launching of preparations for regulations enabling autonomous maritime systems. Finland played an active role in the preparation of the decision.

19.10.2021 | The Marine Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has decided to promote autonomous shipping. It proposes the launching of preparations for regulations enabling autonomous maritime systems. Finland played an active role in the preparation of the decision.

3.12.2021 | Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka will deliver Finland's general statement at the IMO General Assembly on 6 December 2021. Alongside decisions relating to the activities of the organisation, the remote meeting will discuss environmental and maritime safety issues.

15.9.2023 | The ministerial working group on reforming society held its first meeting on 14 September 2023. This working group will seek to reform public administration and digitalisation, thereby strengthening Finland as a whole.

24.8.2023 | Finland needs international workforce to respond to the labour market demand and the shortage of skilled employees. In order for international experts to come to work in Finland, our country must be able to attract and retain both employees and employers. 

25.8.2022 | The Government’s proposed amendments to Chapter 5 of the Aliens Act would make it easier to apply for and receive work-based residence permits in Finland. The reform is part of a broader package that aims to reduce the average processing time of permits to a maximum of one month. The reform would also increase automation of the application process and allow certification of employers. 

3.12.2021 | Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka will deliver Finland's general statement at the IMO General Assembly on 6 December 2021. Alongside decisions relating to the activities of the organisation, the remote meeting will discuss environmental and maritime safety issues.

27.10.2022 | The EU’s objective is to create common rules for the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The regulation aims to ensure that the use of artificial intelligence is safe for all companies and people. Amendments have been made to the original proposal and the Government will inform Parliament of the amendments. 

8.12.2022 | The researcher's information in Research.fi provides quick access to information on researchers and experts. Research.fi service is maintained by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

25.1.2022 | The Government wants to speed up the residence permit processes by reforming Chapter 5 of the Aliens Act. It therefore proposes to shorten the processing time for work-based residence permits to an average of 30 days by the end of the government term. The reform would also increase the use of automation and enable the certification of employers to make the application process easier. 

2.11.2021 | Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä will travel with a Team Finland business delegation to the Europort event in Rotterdam on 2–4 November 2021. The goal of the visit is to increase the export of solutions related to automation and low emissions in shipping and ports. The Minister will then travel to Copenhagen where he will discuss industrial policy and digital economy with his Danish colleagues.

14.10.2021 | The Government has submitted to Parliament a government proposal for supplementary legislation on the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The purpose of the proposal is to make amendments to the national legislation as required by the relevant European Parliament and Council regulations. 

13.12.2022 | How to reduce emissions from shipping? How to make the most of new technologies to make maritime transport safer? For Finland, solving these questions is crucial. And for this reason, Finland is seeking membership in the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 2024-2025 term.

13.12.2022 | How to reduce emissions from shipping? How to make the most of new technologies to make maritime transport safer? For Finland, solving these questions is crucial. And for this reason, Finland is seeking membership in the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 2024-2025 term.

2.5.2022 | Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari will visit Italy on 2–5 May.

3.3.2022 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications has circulated a draft memorandum on development of the electric car charging network for comments. The memorandum assesses the current state of the electric car charging infrastructure, anticipated development, and the prospects for developing the national electric car charging network, especially at service stations. The commenting period ends on 24 March 2022.

8.6.2021 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent a draft government proposal for supplementary legislation on the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) out for comments. The purpose of the proposal is to make amendments to the national legislation as required by the relevant European Parliament and Council regulations. 

4.11.2021 | Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka will visit the United States on 4-9 November 2021. He will travel to Seattle, Tacoma and Washington DC. In Seattle and Tacoma, Minister Harakka will be accompanied by a business delegation.

4.11.2021 | Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka will visit the United States on 4-9 November 2021. He will travel to Seattle, Tacoma and Washington DC. In Seattle and Tacoma, Minister Harakka will be accompanied by a business delegation.

8.12.2022 | The outlook review by officials at the Ministry of Finance highlights measures to improve conditions for prosperity, return general government finances to a sustainable footing, reform public administration and services, and implement the green transition effectively. Corrective action must be taken quickly.

3.3.2022 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications has circulated a draft memorandum on development of the electric car charging network for comments. The memorandum assesses the current state of the electric car charging infrastructure, anticipated development, and the prospects for developing the national electric car charging network, especially at service stations. The commenting period ends on 24 March 2022.

8.4.2022 | People who have applied for temporary protection have the right to work in Finland as soon as they have submitted their application. In other words, they do not need to wait for a residence permit or a residence permit card to be issued to be able to work. A certificate of registration is sufficient.

19.9.2022 | The Government proposes approximately EUR 2,274 billion for the administrative branch of the Ministry of the Interior in the 2023 Budget. This is about EUR 689 billion more than in the Budget approved for 2022. The amount is largely explained by the significant increases for internal security and preparedness in the decision on spending limits which the Government made in the spring after Russia had launched its war of aggression.

2.9.2021 | The Government submitted a legislative proposal on interoperability of electronic road toll systems to Parliament on 2 September 2021. The proposal concerns amendments to the European electronic road toll system, and it does not oblige nor lead to the introduction of road toll systems in Finland.

31.3.2022 | The Government resolution on technology policy outlines the common goal and objectives for Finland’s technology policy, to which the Government and its ministries are jointly committed. The Government adopted the resolution on technology policy in its plenary session on 31 March.