Saami languages The Saami are the only indigenous people in Finland. According to data collected by the Saami Parliament, around 10,500 Saami people live in Finland. It is difficult to estimate the total number of people speaking the Saami languag...

Other languages People speaking some other language than Finnish or Swedish as their native language account for 4.5% of the total population of Finland. The largest language groups after Finnish and Swedish are Russian, Estonian, Arabian, Somali ...

In accordance with the programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government, the Government will draw up a revised Strategy for the National Languages of Finland to ensure that everyone has the right to receive services in the national languages and to improve the language climate. This project is aimed at improving the language climate.

In accordance with the Language Act (423/2003), the Government submits a report to Parliament each parliamentary term on the application of language legislation and the realisation of linguistic rights as well as, where necessary, on other linguistic conditions. In addition to Finnish and Swedish, the report discusses at least the Sámi, Romani and sign languages.

Sign language The linguistic rights of sign language users are safeguarded under the Constitution of Finland. Pursuant to the Constitution, language groups have the right to maintain and develop their own language and culture, and the rights of pe...

15.1.2026 | Today the Government decided in its plenary session to submit to Parliament the Government Report on the Application of Language Legislation in 2025. The report provides important monitoring data on the current state of Finland’s national languages and other indigenous languages and on the realisation of linguistic rights.

Finnish and Swedish Linguistic rights are based on section 17 of the Constitution . The Language Act contains more detailed provisions on the linguistic rights laid down in the Constitution, and it applies to the Finnish and Swedish languages. Eve...

Linguistic rights The Ministry of Justice is responsible for promoting the realisation of linguistic rights by monitoring the implementation and application of the Language Act and by issuing recommendations. The Unit for Democracy, Language Affai...

Accessibility statement for the website of the Ministry of Justice, oikeusministerio.fi The Act on the Provision of Digital Services applies to the website of the Ministry of Justice. Under the Act, public online services must be accessible, which...

Rights of the Sámi people Ministry of Justice safeguards the rights of the Sámi people The Ministry of Justice supports the development of Sámi cultural autonomy and coordinates the handling of Sámi rights across the ministries. The Ministry of Ju...

Rights of the Sámi people Ministry of Justice safeguards the rights of the Sámi people The Ministry of Justice supports the development of Sámi cultural autonomy and coordinates the handling of Sámi rights across the ministries. The Ministry of Ju...

Materials This page contains materials and publications of the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relation. Documents related to the work of the Advisory Board, such as meeting agendas, are available on the page operation. Publications Publications by the ...

Equality and non-discrimination Equality is a fundamental right, and guaranteeing equality plays a key role in the implementation of fundamental and human rights. Under the Constitution, everyone is equal before the law, and no one shall, without ...

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New legislation on sexual offences The new legislation on sexual offences entered into force on 1 January 2023. The legislative reform strengthens everyone’s right to sexual self-determination and personal integrity. The key change is that the def...

The goal of the project is to facilitate the participation of children and young people in policy-making at the national level. The goal is to develop methods, gather best practices and produce training materials on child participation and to provide relevant training for public authorities. The project in Finland is part of the joint European CP4Europe project, which is coordinated by the Council of Europe.

Influencing the preparation of decisions and legislation Under Finnish legislation, authorities must act in an open and transparent manner. Citizens must be provided with opportunities to protect their rights and interests, receive information abo...

Taking of evidence Taking of evidence through international legal assistance is required when a witness to be heard or a document to be used as evidence in judicial proceedings is located abroad. As a rule, courts have three options if they wish t...

Instructions for law drafting The Government applies instructions and recommendations, which aim at harmonising law drafting practices in different Ministries and ensuring that quality requirements for legislation are met. The following instructio...

Fundamental rights The Ministry of Justice prepares the fundamental provisions relating to the Constitution and the public administration. These include the laws regulating the competency of the President of the Republic, the Parliament and the Go...