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9.6.2026 | The EU’s new Pact on Migration and Asylum will improve the control of the EU’s external borders and increase the efficiency of asylum and return procedures. The Government proposed that the President of the Republic approve the relevant bills for acts on Tuesday 9 June. The acts will enter into force on 12 June.

16.4.2026 | The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum establishes a common EU system to strengthen external border control, ensure effective identification of third-country nationals and enhance procedures for asylum and return. The Pact will be implemented in Finland through a series of national legislative amendments. The Government submitted a proposal on these amendments to Parliament on 16 April.

22.12.2025 | The Ministry of the Interior has circulated for comment the draft government proposal on the national legislative amendments that relate to the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. The deadline for comments is 2 February 2026.

4.6.2026 | The Government has renewed its decision on the closure of border crossing points on the eastern border. On 4 June 2026, the Government decided that the border crossing points on the eastern border would remain closed and the submission of applications for international protection would continue to be centralised. The decision will remain in force until further notice.

26.5.2026 | The Finnish Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project to extend the validity of the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration (‘Border Security Act’). The purpose of the act is to respond to efforts to put pressure on Finland through the instrumentalisation of migrants. 

30.3.2026 | The Ministry of the Interior has set up a project to improve the efficiency of asylum procedures, bringing together key administrative branches and actors.

16.4.2026 | On 16 April 2026, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal to tighten the provisions concerning removal from the country and entry bans. The enforcement of deportation decisions would be expedited. In addition, an entry ban could in future be imposed in advance if a person is considered a serious danger to security.

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...

3.6.2026 | The Government submitted its second supplementary budget proposal for 2026 to Parliament on 3 June. The supplementary budget includes employment measures outlined in the spending limits session and investments in counter-drone capabilities and defence more broadly. The proposal also includes an increase to revenue estimates.

12.6.2025 | On 16 April, the European Commission submitted a proposal to establish a list of safe countries of origin for asylum seekers. The aim is to facilitate a swift examination of asylum applications that are likely to be unfounded: if the applicant comes from a safe country of origin, the examination of their application would be accelerated. The Government informed Parliament of the proposal by submitting a Union communication on 12 June.

15.10.2024 | The Ministry of the Interior has set up a project to prepare the necessary legislative amendments to implement the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum in Finland.

10.4.2026 | Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen is currently visiting Türkiye to meet with the Turkish Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi. Topics on the ministers’ agenda include the effects of the situation in the Middle East on migration as well as counterterrorism and police cooperation.

5.3.2026 | The EU home affairs ministers will gather in Brussels on 5 March for a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. The agenda includes the state of the Schengen area and partnerships with third countries concerning migration. Finland will be represented at the meeting by Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen, who will underline the importance of preventing illegal entry and stay.

18.2.2026 | The Nordic ministers responsible for migration will hold a video conference on 18 February on the initiative of Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen. The topics on their agenda will include return hubs located outside the EU and the implementation of the asylum application process in safe third countries.

18.6.2025 | On 20 May, the European Commission submitted a proposal to amend the rules concerning safe third countries. The aim is to make it possible for persons seeking asylum in the EU to go through the asylum process and receive international protection in safe countries outside the EU, the EEA and the Schengen area more often than at present. The Government informed Parliament of the proposal by submitting a Union communication on 18 June.

19.6.2025 | The interior ministers of Finland, Norway, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Sweden will meet in Estonia on 19 and 20 June. The topics on their agenda include border issues and the situation in the Baltic Sea. Finland will be represented at the meeting by Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

22.5.2025 | The efficiency of examining asylum applications will be improved. At the same time, restrictions will be placed on the ability of beneficiaries of international protection to visit the countries from which they have fled. The enforcement of deportation decisions will also be streamlined. The Government submitted the new amendments to the Aliens Act for approval on 22 May. The President of the Republic is scheduled to approve the amendments on 23 May, and they will enter into force on 1 June.

18.6.2025 | The validity of the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration (‘Border Security Act’) will be extended until 31 December 2026. The purpose of the act is to prevent efforts to put pressure on Finland through the instrumentalisation of migrants. The Government submitted the relevant amendments for approval on 18 June. The President of the Republic is scheduled to approve the amendments on 27 June, and they will enter into force on 1 July.

16.4.2025 | The Government has renewed its decision on the closure of border crossing points on the eastern border. On 16 April 2025, the Government decided that the border crossing points on the eastern border remain closed and the submission of applications for international protection continue to be centralised. The decision will remain in force until further notice.

8.12.2025 | The EU home affairs ministers will gather in Brussels on 8 December for a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. The agenda includes returns of people staying illegally in the EU and implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. Finland will be represented at the meeting by Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.