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8.12.2025 | The Government has published an updated version of its guidelines on the use of sign languages in government communications. The aim of the guidelines is to promote the realisation of the linguistic rights of sign language users and to provide support in choices, decisions and practical work related to this.  

15.1.2026 | Today the Government decided in its plenary session to submit to Parliament the Government Report on the Application of Language Legislation in 2025. The report provides important monitoring data on the current state of Finland’s national languages and other indigenous languages and on the realisation of linguistic rights.

13.11.2025 | International higher education students could play an even bigger role in driving Finland’s growth. Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen and Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie invited businesses, cities, higher education institutions and students to find solutions to improve international students’ employment prospects in Finland.

5.1.2026 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health invites comments on the integration support. The comments should be submitted by 16 February 2026.

5.6.2025 | The conditions for obtaining a permanent residence permit will be tightened. For example, the continuous period of residence required for the permit will be extended. Applicants will also be required to demonstrate proficiency in Finnish or Swedish and have a work history of a certain length. The Government submitted to Parliament the relevant proposal for amending the Aliens Act on 5 June.

22.12.2025 | The conditions for obtaining a permanent residence permit will be tightened. For example, the continuous period of residence required for the permit will be extended. Applicants will also be required to demonstrate higher integrity, proficiency in Finnish or Swedish and have a work history of a certain length. The President of the Republic approved the relevant amendments to the Aliens Act on 22 December. The amendments will enter into force on 8 January 2026.

3.11.2025 | The Ministry of Education and Culture has granted the first five authorisations to provide general upper secondary education in English. The authorisations were granted to Gradia, Jyväskylä Educational Consortium Gradia, and to the cities of Helsinki, Oulu, Pori and Tampere. This is part of the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government.

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.

28.11.2025 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications is finalising the government proposal to amend taxi regulation. Next, the proposal will be reviewed by the Finnish Council of Regulatory Impact Analysis, translated and submitted to legislative editing. The aim is to submit the government proposal to Parliament in spring 2026.

20.11.2025 | This week, 17–23 November 2025, is Children’s Rights Week. As in previous years, the Children’s Rights Week session was held at the Government Banquet Hall. Children and youth from various parts of Finland were invited to the session to discuss matters important to them with members of the Government.

5.7.2023 | The NATO Glossary, prepared in a terminology project set up by the Finnish Prime Minister’s Office, gives recommendations for Finnish and Swedish equivalents of English NATO terms. The first edition of the glossary contains the names of some 80 organisations in NATO’s political and military structure.

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...

26.1.2023 | The Translation and Language Division of the Prime Minister’s Office has updated the glossary of concepts related to the reform of healthcare, social welfare and rescue services that was published in Finnish and Swedish in March 2022.

27.1.2025 | The Government proposes tightening the conditions for a permanent residence permit by extending the continuous period of residence required for a permanent residence permit and by requiring language skills in Finnish or Swedish and a work history of a certain length, among other things. The government proposal to amend the Aliens Act was sent out for comments on 27 January.

9.12.2021 | In its Plenary Session today, on 9 December, the Government decided to submit the Government Report on the Application of Linguistic Rights to Parliament. The Language Report, compiled during each electoral term, contains up-to-date information on the situation in Finland in terms of languages, structures supporting linguistic rights and the impact of administrative changes on language groups.

28.2.2025 | This year's Finnish State Award for Foreign Translators goes to Sébastien Cagnoli, who has translated a wealth of quality literature from Finnish into French.

16.1.2025 | The Government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has drawn up a Government Integration Programme for 2024–2027. The programme includes 32 measures based on the Government Programme. Integration policy is based on the learning of Finnish or Swedish, employment, familiarisation with Finnish society and compliance with its rules.

18.12.2024 | The comprehensive reform of the Integration Act (KOTO24) aims to speed up the integration and employment of immigrants and to strengthen their knowledge of Finnish society. The reform is related to the T24 reform where employment and economic development services are transferred from the central government to municipalities.

10.1.2025 | Finland, together with Åland, holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2025. In the branch government of the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Presidency programme highlights cultural cooperation between the Nordic countries as well as cultural diversity, inclusiveness and equality. In terms of education and research cooperation, the emphasis is on raising the level of educat...

12.10.2021 | A Swedish translation of the Finnish integration glossary has been published. The glossary on integration harmonises the use of concepts related to integration, equality and discrimination.