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.

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...

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...

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...

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.

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.

Service of Documents In connection with judicial proceedings, courts sometimes need to serve documents, such as summonses and invitations to appear in court, on persons residing or companies located in another country. When the service of document...

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 ...

The Ministry of Justice The Ministry of Justice maintains and develops legal order and legal protection, reinforces the structures of democracy, and safeguards citizens’ fundamental rights. The Ministry is responsible for drafting the key legislat...

Representative actions are a joint EU tool for improving consumer rights. They are based on the EU Representative Actions Directive.

2.9.2025 | The Government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has reached a decision on its budget proposal for 2026. The Government’s decisions aim to support economic growth, which is picking up. Supporting economic growth and continuing responsible fiscal management is necessary to ensure the security of people in Finland and safeguard their access to important services going forward.

14.4.2019 | Linguistic rights 2 3 Linguistic rights are fundamental rights Pursuant to the Constitution of Finland, the national languages of Finland are Finnish and Swedish. Every person has the right to use their language, either Finnish or Swedish, when us...

10.11.2017 | 1Strategy for the National Languages of Finland Strategy for the National Languages of Finland Toolkit 3Strategy for the National Languages of Finland The purpose of this toolkit is to help official authorities and public servants to use the lin- ...

10.11.2017 | Prime Minister’s Office Publications 7/2012 STRATEGY FOR THE NATIONAL LANGUAGES OF FINLAND Government resolution STRATEGY FOR THE NATIONAL LANGUAGES OF FINLAND Prime Minister’s Office Publications 7/2012 Government resolution Published by PRIME MI...

8.2.2018 | Report of the Government on the application of language legislation 2017 Government publications 10/2017 Government publications 10/2017 Prime Minister’s Office, Helsinki 2017 Report of the Government on the Application of Language Legislation 201...

30.5.2017 | 1 Reports and guidelines Layout: Government Administration Department, Information Support and Publications Unit, Anne-Marie Paakkari Description sheet Published by Ministry of Justice 28 February 2017 Authors Corinna Tammenmaa, Vava Lunabba Unit ...

8.2.2018 | Report of the Government on the application of language legislation 2017 Government publications 10/2017 Government publications 10/2017 Prime Minister’s Office, Helsinki 2017 Report of the Government on the Application of Language Legislation 201...

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.