State and municipalities

Finland’s public administration comprises:

• Highest organs of Government
• State administration
• Local government
• Independent judiciary
• Other self-government
• Indirect State administration

State administration covers central, regional and local State administration. Indirect State administration supports and complements the official duties of the country’s public administration.

Local government covers municipal self-government, regional municipal administration and cooperation between municipalities at the regional level.

The most important tasks of public administration are general administration, maintaining of public order and safety and the provision of welfare services such as education, health care and social services.

• Changes in the Administration 1.1.2012
  Several organizations are renamed or appointed new responsibilities due to changes in the legislation.
• Highest organs of government
  Finland is a consitutional republic whose highest state organs are the Parliament, the President of the Republic and the Government.
• State administration and central government
  State administration includes e.g. ministries, the State's bureaus and agencies, and the State's business activities.
• Ministries
  The ministries function as administrative and political experts and prepare Government decisions within their mandates.
• State local administration
  Authorities in Finland's 90 State Local Districts carry out both general and special administrative tasks.
• Regional administration
  Regional authorities enable ministries to carry out their responsibilities at a regional and local level.
• Municipalities and local government
  Municipalities and local government are the most important system of self-government in Finland. Municipalities provide their residents with statutory basic services.
• Other self-government
  In addition to municipalities, the right to self-government is granted to the Åland islands, churches and religious communities, and universities.
• The State's business activities
  Incorporated State companies are part of state business activities, meanwhile the Unincorporated State enterprises have their economy separated from the Budget.
• Indirect public administration
  Indirect public administration supplements and supports the authorities in managing the tasks of the welfare society.
• Courts of law
  Finnish courts of law are independent from other administration. They base their decisions solely on the law in force.
• Handling of EU affairs in Finland
  Responsibility for the monitoring and preparation of EU affairs rests with the ministries. The Government must enjoy the Parliament's trust also in EU affairs.
• An overview and institutions of the EU
  Made up of its Member States, the European Union (EU) is a union established on common treaties and institutions.
• Public servants
  Searches for contact details of public servants.
• Finland essentials
  Information on Finnish history and aspects of Finnish society and culture.