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National Commemorative Years The national commemorative years organised by the Prime Minister’s Office are celebrated both in Finland and internationally. Commemorative years are held especially to mark milestone anniversaries of Finland’s indepen...

Finland’s 110th anniversary In 2027, Finland will have been independent for 110 years. It has become customary to celebrate major anniversaries of Finland’s independence with greater ceremony than usual. In addition to commemorating Finland’s inde...

Finland’s 110th anniversary In 2027, Finland will have been independent for 110 years. It has become customary to celebrate major anniversaries of Finland’s independence with greater ceremony than usual. In addition to commemorating Finland’s inde...

Decorations Organisations and enterprises in the administrative branch of the Prime Minister's Office may submit proposals to the Prime Minister's Office for decorations belonging to the orders of the White Rose of Finland and the Lion of Finland,...

Awards The Prime Minister’s Office is responsible for organising celebrations to commemorate the anniversary of Finland’s independence and other historical milestones. Proposals for honorary titles by the Title Board are prepared at the Prime Mini...

History and buildings History of the Finnish Government The War of Finland in 1808-09 brought the transfer of Finland from Swedish rule to become an autonomous grand duchy of the Russian empire. In 1809 the new Grand Duchy of Finland received its ...

29.5.2026 | At its meeting on 29 May, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs discussed supporting Ukraine on the path to a just and lasting peace, strengthening the EU’s defence within the framework of the Permanent Structured Cooperation and promoting energy efficiency.

5.3.2026 | In 2027, Finland will have been independent for 110 years. On 5 March, the Government appointed a committee to organise the festivities for the 110th anniversary.

9.6.2026 | Joint Declaration on Enhanced Security and Defence Cooperation We, the leaders of the Nordic-Baltic States (NB8) and Ukraine – Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Latvia Andris K...

Government Palace 1822–1918 House of the Senate 1918– Government Palace The Government Palace overlooking Senate Square is a national memorial and key monument of Finnish architecture and cultural and political history. The building has served as ...

Overview of information influence activities Information influence activities are goal-oriented and systematic acts aimed at influencing public opinion, perceptions and behaviour and undermining the ability of society to function. Methods include ...

22.8.2025 | Finland’s state leadership will attend events marking Ukraine’s independence day in Helsinki.

9.6.2026 | Joint statement of the Nordic-Baltic Prime Ministers Tallinn, 9 June 2026 We, the Heads of Government of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden stand united in strengthening Nordic-Baltic cooperation on security a...

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...

Data protection in the Prime Minister's Office Data Protection Officer Data Protection Officer Heidi Alajoki Prime Minister’s Office, Economy Unit [email protected] Controller Prime Minister’s Office, PO Box 23, 00023 Government Registry: [email p...

30.9.2025 | In its meeting on Tuesday 30 September, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions for two upcoming meetings in Copenhagen: the informal European Council on 1 October and the meeting of the European Political Community on 2 October. The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs also discussed the 19th package of sanctions being prepared in response to Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.

20.5.2025 | In its 17th sanctions package, the European Union continues to respond to Russia’s ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine, to Russia’s destabilising measures against the EU and third countries and to the deterioration of the domestic human rights situation in the country. A significant number of vessels belonging to the Russia’s shadow fleet were added to the EU sanctions list.

16.4.2025 | On 16 April 2025, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal on legislation complementing the European Media Freedom Act, EMFA. The Act aims to safeguard the pluralism and independence of media services in the EU and reinforce the common rules for the functioning of the internal market for media services.

16.4.2025 | On 16 April 2025, the Government submitted a proposal to Parliament to amend the Act on the Finnish Broadcasting Company (Yle). The proposed amendments will implement the legislative changes outlined by the parliamentary working group on Yle. The proposal also incorporates the criteria and procedures for the appointment and dismissal of managers of public service media required by the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).

22.9.2025 | The Government proposes EUR 245 million for the operating expenses of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The operating expenses will be subject to an additional saving of EUR 6.4 million. The impact of the saving in development cooperation outlined in the Government Programme will increase by EUR 73 million. Moreover, additional savings totalling EUR 70 million will be allocated to development cooperation appropriations.

19.6.2025 | Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen: Parliament’s decision to accept Finland’s withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention will strengthen security in Finland Ministry of Defence Publication date 19.6.2025 15.22 Type: Press release On 19 June 2025, the F...

22.5.2025 | Ukraine held a Ministerial Social Policy Summit in Lviv on 22 May. The theme of the Summit was ‘Building Resilient Societies: Innovative Solutions for Demographic Change’. The Summit also issued a joint communiqué, in which the participating countries expressed their support for Ukraine and Moldova on their path towards joining the European Union.

6.5.2025 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Prime Minister of Luxembourg Luc Frieden met in Helsinki on Tuesday 6 May. Their discussions focused on European security, Ukraine, transatlantic relations and deepening economic relations between Finland and Luxembourg.

17.4.2025 | Withdrawal from of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, known as the Ottawa Convention, requires a government proposal. Comments on the draft proposal may be given until 16 May 2025.

1.4.2025 | The security environment in Finland and Europe has changed fundamentally. Russia poses a long-term threat to Europe. This requires the Government to take action. Finland will continue to strengthen its defence on a threat-informed and needs-driven basis.

1.4.2025 | The security environment in Finland and Europe has changed fundamentally. Russia poses a long-term threat to Europe. This requires the Government to take action. Finland will continue to strengthen its defence on a threat-informed and needs-driven basis.

24.9.2024 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications has launched legislative projects to implement the policies of the parliamentary working group assessing the public service duties and funding of the Finnish Broadcasting Company, YLE. To increase the transparency of YLE’s operations and finances, the working group proposed in its report of 12 September 2024 cuts to YLE's funding and amendments to the YLE Act.

2.9.2024 | The Finnish Government aims to improve national security of Finland by tightening the legislation on foreign real estate transactions. A working group appointed by Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen drew up a report on the matter, which will be sent out for comments next. The legislative proposal is due to be submitted to Parliament before the end of the year.

17.5.2024 | Working group completes report on prohibition of foreign real estate transactions Ministry of Defence Publication date 17.5.2024 12.38 Type: Press release A working group, appointed by Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen , has completed its report ...

27.3.2024 | The Council of the European Union adopted the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) on 26 March 2024. The EMFA will change the way media is regulated.

16.10.2023 | I have been saddened to hear the news of the passing of former President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari. I offer my deepest condolences to President Ahtisaari’s family and friends, both personally and on behalf of the Government of Finland.

13.4.2023 | The new act will lay down provisions on the organisation of the activities of patient ombudspersons and social services ombudspersons and their independence, qualifications and duties. It will also include provisions on the processing of personal data.

16.10.2023 | I have been saddened to hear the news of the passing of former President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari. I offer my deepest condolences to President Ahtisaari’s family and friends, both personally and on behalf of the Government of Finland.

12.10.2023 | The Finnish Government has appointed a parliamentary working group to assess the Finnish Broadcasting Company’s (YLE) public service duties and funding. The parliamentary working group will submit its report by the end of Parliament’s spring session 2024.

17.3.2023 | A panel of international experts convened by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health began its audit of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare in August 2022 and submitted its report to Permanent Secretary Veli-Mikko Niemi on 17 March 2023. The previous international audit of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare took place in 2013–2014.

10.11.2022 | On 10 November 2022, the Government submitted a Union communication to Parliament on the European Media Freedom Act (MFA), outlining Finland's positions on the Act. Finland as a rule supports the aim of the Act to harmonise the legal framework of EU Member States in the media sector to enhance the functioning of the internal market and to promote media freedom.

23.8.2023 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo is on a visit to Ukraine and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv this morning. Orpo will also attend the third Crimea Platform Summit. In his meeting with Zelenskyy, Orpo stressed that Finland’s strong and unwavering support to Ukraine would continue.

10.11.2022 | On 10 November 2022, the Government submitted a Union communication to Parliament on the European Media Freedom Act (MFA), outlining Finland's positions on the Act. Finland as a rule supports the aim of the Act to harmonise the legal framework of EU Member States in the media sector to enhance the functioning of the internal market and to promote media freedom.

12.6.2026 | Finnish civil society organisations working against racism have begun close cooperation within a new network convened by the Prime Minister’s Office. The network’s activities began in December 2025 with its first online meeting. Now, following the first hybrid meeting this spring, attention is focused on the independent monitoring of the anti-racism action plan.

15.10.2021 | The centenary of Finland’s independence in 2017 showed that small-scale everyday matters with positive aspects that are characteristic of Finnishness can also be celebrated in connection with official anniversaries. This emerges from a study produced by the Center for Cultural Policy Research Cupore, Owal Group and Demos Helsinki. The three thematic reports of the study assessed the impacts of Finland’s centenary year.