Current affairs

According to preliminary data, a total of 5,291 votes were cast in advance in the 2025 county elections and 8,310 votes in the municipal elections at Finnish missions abroad. In the dual elections, a total of 180 votes were cast on board Finnish vessels. In the 2022 county elections, 2,923 advance votes were cast, and about a hundred crew members cast their vote on board ships. In the 2021 municipal elections, 2,693 advance votes were cast, and over a hundred crew members voted on board ships.

This is FINLAND Magazine is now available in English. Part of the 'This is FINLAND' country brand media, promoted across several channels, the Magazine targets an international readership.

Helsinki Roundtable on AI and International Security, an event to be held at Aalto University on 13 March 2025, will bring together international experts, decision-makers and business leaders to discuss the impacts of artificial intelligence on global security.

Following legislative amendments that entered into force on 17 February, wild-berry picking carried out by foreign nationals is treated as seasonal work. Companies must hire foreign berry pickers for a contractual employment relationship to enable them apply for an entry permit to Finland. In future, berry pickers will apply for a seasonal work visa for stays up to three months.

The operations and management of the Team Finland network will be reformed in cooperation with business and industry, as outlined in the Finnish Government Programme. Business Finland’s foreign functions will be directly integrated into the structures of the Foreign Service by 1 January 2026.

Education, good governance, nature, equality and happiness are themes that Finland is known for worldwide, according to Finland Promotion Board’s publication How the World Views Finland. In 2024, especially Finland’s NATO membership and security policy brought international media coverage. Despite the challenging global situation, Finland’s country brand has remained largely positive, but differences between countries in attitudes towards Finland have increased. This is why it is increasingly important for Finland to be known for its strengths, the publication states.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the missions abroad provided consular services to approximately 205,000 customers last year. Over the course of the year, the Ministry’s 24/7 service was contacted around 6,800 times in total.

The Commission welcomes today's unanimous decision by the Council to lift internal land border controls with Romania and Bulgaria as of 1 January 2025. This important step completes the full entry of both countries into the Schengen area. This not only strengthens the Schengen area but it will further strengthen the internal market, increase travel, trade and tourism. A robust Schengen area reinforces the EU's unity and makes the EU stronger at a global scale.

The new decree of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on fees charged for services provided by the Finnish Foreign Service in 2025 enters into force on 1 January 2025. Several services that are now provided free of charge will become subject to a fee as of 1 January 2025.