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30.4.2026 | The Government’s two legislative packages will address the income difficulties faced by international students. The first would strengthen the monitoring of students’ use of social assistance in accordance with the Government Programme. The Government submitted its proposal to Parliament on 30 April 2026.

16.1.2026 | The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has sent out for comments a proposal to amend the post-decision monitoring of education-based residence permits. The aim of better monitoring is to prevent the misuse of permits.

17.12.2025 | Finland will participate in the 17th replenishment of the African Development Fund (AfDF-17) to support sustainable economic growth in the poorest countries on the continent. The objective of the African Development Fund (AfDF) is to reduce poverty by promoting the economic and social development of African countries. Finland is also involved in supporting Africa’s debt sustainability.

21.11.2025 | The EU trade ministers will convene for a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 24 November to discuss the Union’s trade relations with the United States and China. The ministers will also take stock of the EU’s ongoing bilateral trade negotiations. The participation of Minister Tavio in the meeting has been cancelled. Finland will be represented by Finland’s EU Ambassador Jori Arvonen.

13.11.2025 | The Government proposes that the President of the Republic approve amendments to the Rail Transport Act and the Act on Transport Services on 14 November 2025. The amendments will enhance the safety and security of urban rail transport and allow more time to procure rolling stock that meets EU requirements for use in the forest and chemicals industries.

6.6.2025 | The EU Transport Council reached a political agreement on amending the regulations on air passenger rights on 5 June 2025. 

12.6.2025 | On 12 June 2025, the Government submitted a proposal to Parliament to amend the Rail Transport Act and the Act on Transport Services. The amendments would enhance the safety and security of urban rail transport. They would provide more time to procure rolling stock that meets the EU requirements for the use of the forest and chemicals industries.

17.10.2024 | The Government is seeking to strengthen the link between work and work-based residence permits, and to make permit supervision after the entry into Finland more systematic. The proposal takes the long recruitment times of specialists into consideration. At the same time, the proposal would offer foreigners more opportunities to find new work in the national labour shortage sectors. 

13.6.2024 | The Government is seeking to strengthen the link between work and work-based residence permits, and to improve permit supervision. Worker’s residence permit holders in Finland would also have better opportunities to find new employment in sectors with a labour shortage. The Government proposal has been circulated for comments between 13 June and 16 August 2024.

6.7.2023 | On 6 July 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation notified Ambassador of Finland Antti Helanterä of forthcoming expulsions. Russia also announced that it would cancel the authorisation of Finland's Consulate General in St Petersburg as of 1 October.

Ministers’ holidays Ministers are entitled to 30 days of paid leave corresponding to annual holiday. The right to 30 days of paid leave starts at the beginning of the calendar year or on the day on which the minister is appointed. If a minister do...

18.5.2026 | The Government is addressing the income difficulties faced by international students. The proposed amendments, open for comments, concern family reunification for international students, the income requirement and verification of students’ language proficiency.

24.11.2025 | The participation of Minister Tavio in the EU trade ministers meeting in Brussels on 24 November has been cancelled.

18.1.2021 | Direct passenger flights from the UK, Ireland and South Africa continue to be suspended Ministry for Foreign Affairs Publication date 18.1.2021 15.37 Type: News item The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom has decided that the sus...

8.1.2021 | Suspension of passenger flights from the UK extended Ministry for Foreign Affairs Publication date 8.1.2021 19.49 Type: News item The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom has decided to continue to suspend passenger flights from th...

22.12.2020 | The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom has decided to suspend air passenger flights from the UK to Finland for two weeks from 21 December 2020 until 4 January 2021.

9.12.2021 | The purpose of the proposed amendments is to make working conditions more predictable and to improve the position of those employed under a variable hours contract. This was brought on by the implementation of the EU Directive on Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions and the Government decision to improve the status of employees in temporary employment and on zero-hours contracts. The proposed legislative amendments have been prepared in tripartite consultation.

21.12.2021 | In its negotiations on Tuesday 21 December, the Government discussed the COVID-19 situation and decided on new restrictions and other necessary measures. In addition to increasing vaccination coverage, effective national and regional measures to limit close contacts are needed to slow down the spread of the epidemic. This will allow more time for giving people third vaccine doses.

27.6.2019 | Finland will offset emissions from air travel during the Presidency of the Council of the EU. This will be achieved by funding projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and simultaneously advance sustainable development goals. Offsetting flight emissions is a concrete climate action and part of the sustainable meeting arrangements for Finland’s Presidency. The approach is driven by the need to respond to climate change.

21.12.2021 | In its negotiations on Tuesday 21 December, the Government discussed the COVID-19 situation and decided on new restrictions and other necessary measures. In addition to increasing vaccination coverage, effective national and regional measures to limit close contacts are needed to slow down the spread of the epidemic. This will allow more time for giving people third vaccine doses.