General legislation
Act on Public Officials in Central Government 750/1994 / Valtion virkamieslaki 750/1994. The Act provides for state civil service. The aim is to ensure that state duties are performed effectively, appropriately and in a manner that meets legal requirements, and to ensure that civil servants have a fair position in relation to their employers.
Act on Statistics Finland 48/1992 / Laki tilastokeskuksesta 48/1992. The Act defines the duties of Statistics Finland, the national statistical authority.
Act on the Autonomy of Åland 1144/1991 / Ahvenanmaan itsehallintolaki 1144/1991. The province of Åland has self-government in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
Act on the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment 897/2009 / Laki elinkeino-, liikenne- ja ympäristökeskuksista 897/2009. The Act establishes and regulates the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres). These are regional government authorities responsible for implementing state administration tasks at the regional level.
Act on the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare 668/2008 / Laki Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitoksesta 668/2008. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is a government research and expert agency under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Its mission is to promote the health and welfare of the population, prevent diseases and social problems, and develop social and health services.
Act on the National Audit Office of Finland 676/2000 / Laki valtiontalouden tarkastusvirastosta 676/2000. The National Audit Office of Finland (VTV) is an independent authority operating in connection with the Finnish Parliament. Its main role is to audit the legality and effectiveness of central government finances and ensure compliance with the state budget.
Act on the Regional State Administrative Agencies 896/2009 / Laki aluehallintovirastoista 896/2009. The Act establishes Regional State Administrative Agencies (AVIs) as part of Finland’s regional state administration. Their mission is to promote regional equality by implementing, guiding, and supervising legislation across various sectors.
Act on the Sámi Parliament 974/1995 / Laki saamelaiskäräjistä 974/1995. The Sámi, as an indigenous people, have self-government concerning their own language and culture in the Sámi homeland. For the purposes of this self-government, the Sámi elect the Sámi Parliament from among themselves.
Administrative Procedure Act 434/2003 / Hallintolaki 434/2003. The Act lays down provisions on the foundations of good administration and on the procedure to be applied in administrative matters.
Constitution of Finland 731/1999 / Suomen perustuslaki 731/1999. The Constitution details the fundamental rules, values and principles of Finnish democracy. It specifies the foundations of the relationship between the individual and government.
Disability Services Act 675/2023 / Vammaispalvelulaki 675/2023. The purpose of the Act is to achieve equality, inclusion and participation of disabled persons in society and to prevent and remove barriers to their realisation, to support their independent living and autonomy, and to ensure adequate and good quality services adapted to their individual needs.
Employment Contracts Act 55/2011 / Työsopimuslaki 55/2011. The Act contains norms governing the employment relationship that relate to, for example, the conclusion of an employment contract, termination of employment, employee protection, working hours, and remuneration.
Employees' Pension Act 395/2006 / Työntekijän eläkelaki 395/2006. The Act provides for the right of an employee working in the private sector to an old-age pension, partial early old-age pension, rehabilitation, disability pension and long-service pension, and the right of an employee's beneficiary to a survivor's pension.
Government Decree on the Implementation of the Sámi Language Act 108/2004 / Valtioneuvoston asetus saamen kielilain täytäntöönpanosta 108/2004.The Decree provides detailed provisions for implementing the Sámi Language Act (1086/2003), which safeguards the linguistic rights of the Sámi people in Finland.
Language Act 423/2003 / Kielilaki 423/2003. The purpose of the Act is to safeguard everyone's right to use their own language, either Finnish or Swedish, as laid down in the Constitution. The aim is that everyone's right to a fair trial and good administration is guaranteed, regardless of language, and that the linguistic rights of the individual are implemented without needing to be separately invoked.
Non-discrimination Act 1325/2014 / Yhdenvertaisuuslaki 1325/2014.The purpose of the Act is to promote equality and prevent discrimination, and to enhance legal protection of those who have been subjected to discrimination.
Public Sector Pension Act 81/2016 / Julkisten alojen eläkelaki 81/2016. The Act provides for pension security for employees of Keva member organisations, the state, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Social Insurance Institution, and the Bank of Finland.
Education in general
Legislation
Act on Central Government Transfers to Local Government for Basic Public Services 618/2021 / Laki kunnan peruspalvelujen valtionosuudesta 618/2021. The Act is applied to central government transfers granted for operating costs incurred by local authorities in the performance of their statutory duties defined e.g. in the Basic Education Act 628/1998.
Act on Checking the Criminal Background of Persons Working with Children 504/2002 / Laki lasten kanssa työskentelevien rikostaustan selvittämisestä 504/2002. The Act requires that persons working with children show their employer an extract of their criminal records for the purposes of their employment.
Act on Discretionary Government Transfers 688/2001 / Valtionavustuslaki 688/2001. The Act lays down provisions on the criteria and procedures to be followed when granting subsidies for activities or projects.
Act on School Journey Support 48/1997 / Koulumatkatukilaki 48/1997. The Act provides financial support for daily travel costs between a student's home and educational institution.
Act on the Administration of Education Provided by the State and the Private Sector 634/1998 / Laki valtion ja yksityisen järjestämän koulutuksen hallinnosta 634/1998. The Act lays down provisions on, for example, the school board, school head, rules of procedure, subsidies and donations, oversight of legality, and the application of the Administrative Procedure Act (434/2003) to the education provided by the State and the private sector.
Act on the Financing of Educational and Cultural Provision 1705/2009 / Laki opetus- ja kulttuuritoimen rahoituksesta 1705/2009. The Act lays down provisions on, for example, central government transfers and discretionary government transfers granted for activities referred to in the Basic Education Act (628/1998).
Act on the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre 1295/2013 / Laki Kansallisesta koulutuksen arviointikeskuksesta 1295/2013. The Act establishes the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC) as an independent expert agency responsible for evaluating education in Finland.
Act on the Finnish National Agency for Education 564/2016 / Laki Opetushallituksesta 564/2016. The Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) is a national development agency under the Ministry of Education and Culture. The Act defines its mandate, duties, and governance.
Act on the National Framework for Qualifications and Other Competence Modules 93/2017 / Laki tutkintojen ja muiden osaamiskokonaisuuksien viitekehyksestä 93/2017. The Act establishes a national qualifications framework that classifies qualifications and other extensive competence modules into eight reference levels based on learning outcomes.
Decree on the Qualification Requirements for Teaching Staff 986/1998 / Asetus opetustoimen henkilöstön kelpoisuusvaatimuksista 986/1998. The Decree contains provisions on the qualifications required of the teaching staff referred to in the Basic Education Act (628/1998), the Act on General Upper Secondary Education (714/2018), the Act on Liberal Adult Education (632/1998) and the Act on Basic Education in Arts (633/1998).
Government Decree on the Financing of Educational and Cultural Provision 1766/2009 / Valtioneuvoston asetus opetus- ja kulttuuritoimen rahoituksesta 1766/2009. The Decree regulates the calculation and allocation of state funding for education and cultural services in Finland, based on the Act on the Financing of Education and Culture (1705/2009).
Government Decree on the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre 1317/2013 / Valtioneuvoston asetus Kansallisesta koulutuksen arviointikeskuksesta 1317/2013. The Decree defines the operational principles, governance, and responsibilities of the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC), based on the Act on the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (1295/2013).
Student Welfare Act 1287/2013 / Oppilas- ja opiskelijahuoltolaki 1287/2013. The Act lays down provisions on, for example, the right of students in pre-primary education, comprehensive school education and general upper secondary education to receive student welfare services.
Collective agreements
Collective agreement for state civil servants for the contract period 2023–2025 / Valtion virka- ja työehtosopimus sopimuskaudelle 2023–2025. The agreement applies to the terms and conditions of service of civil servants and employees of government agencies.
Other
Ministry of Education and Culture, 2022: Teacher Education Development Programme 2022–2026. The Programme describes how teacher education will be developed in the 2020s. It covers teachers’ core education and induction as well as career-long professional and continuous learning.
Early childhood education and care (ISCED 0)
Legislation
Act on Client Fees in Early Childhood Education and Care 1503/2016 / Laki varhaiskasvatuksen asiakasmaksuista 1503/2016. The Act regulates how the client fees charged for early childhood education and care are determined, the monthly fee and income thresholds, as well as the maximum fee charged by local authorities. It also includes provisions on the income that the fee is based on as well as the conditions for not charging a fee or charging a lower fee.
Act on Early Childhood Education and Care 540/2018 / Varhaiskasvatuslaki 540/2018. The Act provides for the right of the child to early childhood education and care, the organisation and production of early childhood education and care, and the knowledge reserve of early childhood education and care. An English translation of the Act is available here. For up-do-date and official legal texts, please refer to the Finnish or Swedish version.
Act on Service Vouchers in Social Welfare and Health Care Services 569/2009 / Laki sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon palvelusetelistä 569/2009. A user of early childhood education and care services may be provided with a service voucher in accordance with this Act.
Child Home Care and Private Day Care Allowance Act 1128/1996 / Laki lasten kotihoidon ja yksityisen hoidon tuesta 1128/1996. The Act provides on the right of parents with children under school age to receive financial aid in place of early childhood education and care, so they can organise care for their child in ways other than those provided in municipal early childhood education and care. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for the central government level tasks related to home care allowances and private daycare allowances.
Government Decree on Early Childhood Education and Care 753/2018 / Valtioneuvoston asetus varhaiskasvatuksesta 753/2018. The Decree contains provisions on the number and composition of staff at early education centres and in family daycare, on the studies leading to qualification as a childcarer in early childhood education and care, and on the eligibility of a family daycare childminder to work as a childcarer in early childhood education and care.
Curricula
National Core Curriculum for Early Childhood Education and Care 2022 / Varhaiskasvatussuunnitelman perusteet 2022. The Core Curriculum is a national regulation issued by the Finnish National Agency for Education. It covers all forms of activities and all age groups in early childhood education and care. Local curricula are drawn up based on the national document. An English translation is available here. For an up-to-date and official document, please refer to the Finnish or Swedish version.
National Core Curriculum for Pre-Primary Education 2014 / Esiopetussuunnitelman perusteet 2014. The Core Curriculum is a national regulation issued by the Finnish National Agency for Education. It guides the provision of pre-primary education in the year preceding the start of primary education. Local curricula are drawn up based on the national document.
Single-structure primary and lower secondary education (ISCED 1 and 2)
Legislation
Act on Compulsory Education 1214/2020 / Oppivelvollisuuslaki 1214/2020. The Act lays down provisions on completion of compulsory education, the responsibility for guidance and supervision of completing compulsory education and the free provision of education.
Basic Education Act 628/1998 / Perusopetuslaki 628/1998. The Act lays down provisions on comprehensive school education and compulsory education, pre-primary education, voluntary additional comprehensive school education, preparatory education for comprehensive school education, and morning and afternoon activities.
Basic Education Decree 852/1998 / Perusopetusasetus 852/1998. The Decree lays down provisions on, for example, the number of teaching hours, student assessment, legal protection, and authorisation to provide education.
Government Decree on the National Objectives and Distribution of Lesson Hours in Basic Education 422/2012 / Valtioneuvoston asetus perusopetuslaissa tarkoitetun opetuksen valtakunnallisista tavoitteista ja perusopetuksen tuntijaosta 422/2012. The Decree defines the national objectives and the distribution of lesson hours for education referred to in the Basic Education Act (628/1998).
Curricula
National Core Curriculum for Basic Education 2014 / Perusopetuksen opetussuunnitelman perusteet 2014. The Core Curriculum is a national regulation issued by the Finnish National Agency for Education. It contains the objectives and core contents of subjects in primary and lower secondary education, as well as transversal competencies that cross subject boundaries. It also includes the principles of pupil assessment, special needs education, pupil welfare and educational guidance. Also the principles of a good learning environment and the concept of learning are addressed.
Upper secondary education (ISCED 3 and 4)
Legislation
Act on General Upper Secondary Education 714/2018 / Lukiolaki 714/2018. The Act prescribes the aims of general upper secondary education, its organisation, instruction, curricula, publicity of education, assessment, and matriculation examination.
Act on Preparatory Education Leading to an Upper Secondary Qualification 1215/2020 / Laki tutkintokoulutukseen valmentavasta koulutuksesta 1215/2020. The Act lays down provisions on the organisation of education, the content and completion of education, and the rights and obligations of students, for example. Government
Decree on General Upper Secondary Education 810/2018 / Valtioneuvoston asetus lukiokoulutuksesta 810/2018. The Decree focuses on the main goals for education at a national level, how education is organised, and the ways in which teaching and assessment are done.
Vocational Education and Training Act 531/2017 / Laki ammatillisesta koulutuksesta 531/2017. The Act regulates the organisation, content, and quality assurance of vocational education and training (VET) in Finland. It aims to ensure that individuals can acquire the skills and qualifications needed for working life, further studies, and lifelong learning.
Vocational Education and Training Decree 673/2017 / Valtioneuvoston asetus ammatillisesta koulutuksesta 673/2017. The Decree specifies the structure, content, and credit requirements of vocational qualifications and preparatory education leading to an upper secondary qualification, based on the Act on Vocational Education and Training (531/2017).
Curricula
National Core Curriculum for General Upper Secondary Education 2019 / Lukion opetussuunnitelman perusteet 2019. The National Core Curriculum is a national regulation issued by the Finnish National Agency for Education. It provides the framework for local curricula used in Finnish general upper secondary schools.
Higher education (ISCED 6, 7 and 8)
Legislation
Government Decree on Universities 770/2009 / Valtioneuvoston asetus yliopistoista 770/2009. The Decree regulates the calculation and distribution of universities' funding. It also contains provisions on the language requirements for university personnel, governing bodies of student unions, and the tasks of the National Library's board of directors.
Government Decree on Universities of Applied Sciences 1129/2014 / Valtioneuvoston asetus ammattikorkeakouluista 1129/2014. The Decree regulates, among other things, the degrees to be obtained at universities of applied sciences, studies leading to degrees, specialisation training, certificates and funding.
Universities Act 558/2009 / Yliopistolaki 558/2009. The Act contains the basic provisions on the universities' duties, administration, degrees and teaching.
Universities of Applied Sciences Act 932/2014 / Ammattikorkeakoululaki 932/2014. The Act contains the basic provisions on the universities of applied sciences' duties, administration, degrees and teaching.
Collective agreements
General collective agreement for universities 1.4.2023-31.3.2025 / Yliopistojen yleinen työsopimus 1.4.2023-31.3.2025. The agreement concerns the terms and conditions of employment and remuneration of the employees of universities.
Collective agreement for universities of applied sciences 1.4.2024–31.3.2026 / Ammattikorkeakoulujen työehtosopimus 1.4.2024–31.3.2026. The agreement concerns the terms and conditions of employment and remuneration of the employees of universities of applied sciences.
Other
Ministry of Education and Culture: Universities Core Funding Model from 2021.
Ministry of Education and Culture: Universities of Applied Sciences Core Funding Model from 2021.
Adult education and training
In general, legislation on different education levels considers also adults, because usually the provision of education is similar to that of young people. The following documents refer to adults in particular.
Legislation
Act on Liberal Adult Education 632/1998 / Laki vapaasta sivistystyöstä 632/1998. The Act promotes lifelong learning, social cohesion, equality, and active citizenship by supporting voluntary non-formal education for adults.
Curricula
National Core Curriculum for Integration Training 2022 / Kotoutumiskoulutuksen opetussuunnitelman perusteet 2022. The Core Curriculum is a national regulation issued by the Finnish National Agency for Education. In the Curriculum, instruction of Finnish/Swedish in integration training is determined. The Curriculum also describes the other instruction provided in integration training to promote students’ access to working life and further education and to improve their social, cultural and life management skills.