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21.5.2026 | The Government will establish a police reserve in Finland to ensure the police have sufficient resources in exceptional circumstances. In its session, the Government proposed that the President of the Republic approve the bill on establishing a police reserve on Friday 22 May. Most of the legislative amendments are scheduled to enter into force on 1 January 2027.

25.5.2026 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications is inviting comments on a draft government proposal and draft decrees concerning maritime regulation. The aim of the proposed amendments is to clarify and harmonise the regulation of maritime safety, qualifications and supervision. The deadline for submitting comments is 18 June 2026.

21.5.2026 | The Government has appointed Anna-Mari Ahonen, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, as the Saimaa Canal Delegate for a term of five years, from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2031.

4.6.2026 | The Government is proposing a new type of integration assistance. The general social security benefit would be paid as integration assistance to immigrants registered as unemployed jobseekers who do not meet the prior work requirement or have lived in Finland for less than three years.

4.3.2026 | A new pilot scheme will offer free open university studies to young people who have not been admitted to a higher education institution. The aim of the scheme is to give young people the opportunity to explore different fields of study and to support a faster transition into higher education.

5.3.2026 | The Government intends to establish a police reserve in Finland to ensure sufficient police resources in all circumstances. The threshold for deploying the reserve would be high. The Government submitted a proposal on the matter to Parliament on 5 March. Most of the legislative amendments are scheduled to enter into force on 1 January 2027.

22.4.2026 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government has agreed on the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2027–2030. Both the global economy and Finland’s finances are facing challenges. In its spending limits session, the Government focused on new targeted measures to strengthen people’s confidence in the future and improve the conditions for growth and employment.

10.11.2025 | The Ministry of the Interior is requesting comments on a draft government proposal for the establishment and deployment of a police reserve. The aim is to ensure that the police have sufficient resources in all circumstances. The draft proposal also includes an amendment concerning the qualification requirements for the Master of Police Services degree. The deadline for submitting comments is 22 December 2025.

9.10.2025 | Students from non-EU countries will in future be required to pay tuition fees in both general upper secondary education and vocational education and training. These students will therefore no longer be included in the system of central government transfers to local government. At the same time, providers of vocational education and training will be permitted to sell commissioned education leading to a qualification also to citizens of EU Member States and EEA countries.

20.11.2025 | On Thursday 20 November, the Government submitted its proposal to Parliament to amend the budget proposal for 2026. It includes proposals to launch new transport projects and to support Ukraine. The proposal will decrease the revenue estimate by EUR 189 million and increase the requirement for appropriations by EUR 455 million.

10.12.2024 | Key information processing skills needed by Finland’s adult population (aged 16 to 65) in different areas of life were assessed in the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). The survey focused on literacy, numeracy and adaptive problem-solving skills. By international standards, Finland ranked at the top in literacy and numeracy skills.

18.2.2021 | The Government is proposing that the validity of fixed-term ships' crew certificates of competency and certificates of proficiency be extended due to the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic. A derogation permitting a special dispensation from certificates of proficiency required on a vessel would also be extended. The derogations would be temporary.

23.4.2025 | 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(7) Putting Finland on a path to growth Making Finland the most attractive destination for inve...

18.2.2021 | The Government is proposing that the validity of fixed-term ships' crew certificates of competency and certificates of proficiency be extended due to the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic. A derogation permitting a special dispensation from certificates of proficiency required on a vessel would also be extended. The derogations would be temporary.

28.12.2023 | The President of the Republic has approved the amendments to the Vessel Traffic Service Act, the Ship Safety Control Act and the Act on the Enforcement of a Fine. Most of the amendments will enter into force on 1 January 2024.

5.3.2026 | On 5 March 2026, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal to amend the Act on Transport Services, Driving Licence Act, Act on the Organisation of Driver Examinations and Act on the Enforcement of a Fine.

30.1.2025 | A working group preparing an overhaul of student financial aid has assessed the current situation in student financial aid and key development needs in the student financial aid system. Needs for development that were deemed essential include reinstating indexation and restructuring interest assistance and loan granting practices to improve the security of student loans. The working group's proposals were submitted to Minister Sandra Bergqvist on 30 January.

20.2.2024 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a proposal for a legislative amendment that would shorten the length of international protection permits to the minimum allowed by the Qualification Directive. The deadline for submitting comments is 12 March 2024.

16.11.2023 | On 16 November 2023, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal to amend the Vessel Traffic Service Act, the Ship Safety Control Act and the Act on the Enforcement of a Fine.

16.4.2024 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government has agreed on the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2025–2028. The Government has made decisions that will improve the sustainability of public finances and create conditions for reversing the trend in indebtedness. The decisions aim to safeguard the key factors for future prosperity: employment, security, and knowledge and competence. Fairness has been one of the guiding principles of the decisions.