Investment framework and opportunities in Finland

Procedures Relative to Foreign Investment

Freedom of Establishment: Foreigners can invest in Finland at the same conditions as citizens, except for sectors considered critical, such as energy, communications, defense or food supply.
Acquisition of Holdings: For defense acquisitions, all foreign investors must apply for prior approval. The same concept applies for investments in sensitive sectors of the economy (like energy, communications, food supply, etc.) from foreign investors domiciled outside the EU and European Free Trade Association area, with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment having the power to stop the investment in case of conflict with “vital national interests”.
Obligation to Declare: The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment validates FDI and decides on the possibilities for a foreign investor to target a sector considered strategic by the Finnish state.
Competent Organisation For the Declaration: Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Requests For Specific Authorisations: Certain acquisitions of large Finnish companies may require follow-up clearance from the Ministry of Employment and the Economy in accordance with the act on the control of foreign acquisitions of Finnish companies. The purpose of the clearance is to protect essential national interests.

Investment Aid Agency: Invest in Finland (official investment promotion agency for Finland)
Findland Chamber of Commerce (international network of the Finnish chambers of commerce)
Finland’s Centers for Economic Development, Transport, and the Environment (ELY)
Tenders, Projects and Public Procurement: Tenders Info, Tenders in Finland
Ted - Tenders Electronic Daily, Business opportunities in EU 27
DgMarket, Tenders Worldwide
Other Useful Resources: Enterprise Finland
Finnavera (financing company owned by the State of Finland)
The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra

Find out more about Investment Service Providers in Finland on GlobalTrade.net, the Directory for International Trade Service Providers.

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