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27.3.2025 | The requirements for acquiring Finnish citizenship will be tightened in accordance with the Government Programme. Amendments are proposed to the provisions on the establishment of identity, the integrity requirement and the requirement for sufficient financial resources. The Government submitted a proposal on the matter to Parliament on 27 March.

27.11.2024 | The requirements for acquiring Finnish citizenship will be tightened in accordance with the Government Programme. Amendments are proposed to the provisions on the establishment of identity, the integrity requirement and the requirement for sufficient financial resources. The government proposal to amend the Citizenship Act was sent out for comments on 27 November.

4.7.2024 | The period of residence required for Finnish citizenship will be extended from the current five years to eight years starting from 1 October. This underlines successful integration as a prerequisite for being granted citizenship. It will also enable addressing security concerns more effectively than before. In addition, only time lived in Finland under a residence permit will be taken into account when calculating the period of residence.

9.2.2024 | The Ministry of the Interior has requested comments on a draft version of amendments to the Citizenship Act concerning the period of residence. The public consultation will end on 4 March 2024. According to the proposed amendments, the period of residence required for Finnish citizenship would be extended from the current five years to eight years.

8.10.2025 | Minister of Education and Minister for Nordic Cooperation Anders Adlercreutz will visit Japan on 9–12 October. During his visit, he will take part in events at the Osaka World Expo.

27.8.2025 | "I’m glad to see strong momentum for Nordic cooperation. Our goal is a united and strong Nordic region that benefits us all."

23.6.2025 | Travelling to the territory of the European Union will change when the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) becomes operational in late 2026. The change will also affect people with dual nationality.

9.5.2025 | The topics on the agenda include the joint European degree label and the role of education in preventing inequality. The Council will also discuss the impact of disinformation, manipulation and cyber threats on young people and delve into the future strategic priorities for the cultural sector in the EU. Council conclusions are expected on the promotion of sport and physical activity in the educational context.

22.11.2024 | As part of the legislative reform of basic education in the arts, the Ministry of Education and Culture has charted the experiences of children and young people participating in basic education in the arts when engaging in the arts as a recreational activity. Children and young people must be consulted in all legislative drafting concerning them. The consultation was conducted using an open online survey.

20.1.2025 | Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz and the Ministry's experts will take part in the Educa Fair on 24-25 January.

18.4.2024 | On 18 April, the Government submitted a number of proposals related to migration to Parliament. They concern more stringent provisions on international protection, preventing evasion of provisions on entry, introducing a border procedure and reducing the reception allowance. A proposal concerning the period of residence laid down in the Citizenship Act was also submitted to Parliament.

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...

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.

1.7.2019 | In future, appointments to military posts in the Border Guard will require candidates not to hold such citizenship of or other ties to a foreign country, as referred to in the Security Clearance Act, that could constitute a danger to the security of the State, general security, national defence or Finland’s international relations, or to the security of duty in the Border Guard.

20.12.2023 | The start of 2024 will see the entry into force of amendments to acts and decrees. This press release provides a summary of the most important changes.

16.12.2021 | The Ministry of the Interior has issued a decree on fees charged by the Finnish Immigration Service. The decree will enter into force on 1 January 2022.

4.1.2023 | The European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission (EC) are looking for Junior Professionals for 140 EU Delegations around the world. The call for expressions of interest is open from 4 January 2023 until 31 January 2023.

17.2.2023 | Children and young people have the right to participate and be heard in matters that concern them. The project of the Ministry of Justice has developed methods, compiled good practices and produced communication and training materials on the participation and consultation of children and young people, aimed at authorities.

15.8.2022 | What does the future of democracy and the rule of law look like in today’s Europe? How is democracy being developed in Finland and elsewhere in Europe? These questions will be on the agenda of a panel discussion organised by the Ministry of Justice at the Europe Forum in Turku on 25 August at 13.00–13.45.

26.8.2024 | Speech by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the Annual Meeting of Heads of Mission in Helsinki on 26 August 2024. Speech to be checked against delivery.