Poliisi

Under the Police Act, the primary duties of the police are maintaining public order and safety, and prevention and solving of crimes.

You can find additional information in English on the following websites:

Criminal Investigation
Permits to Foreigners
General Permits
Passports
Personal Identity Cards
Driving Licences

A brochure outlining the tasks of the police in Finland is available in the following languages:

Albanian
Estonian
French
German
Russian
Somali
Spanish
Turkish
Vietnamese
Arabic
Kurdish

Criminal investigation (Rikostutkinta)

The police are responsible for the investigation of and consideration of charges for crimes committed in Finland. You can report an offence at the nearest police station, by telephone or telefax, by using an online form or by informing a police patrol unit. The police will begin an investigation if there is cause to suspect that an offence has been committed.

Permits and licences for foreigners (Ulkomaalaisluvat)

The police issue residence permits for foreigners living in Finland, as well as visa extensions and return visas. Further information is available on the Police website in Finnish, Swedish and English.

Licence services (Lupapalvelut)

The local police are responsible for police licensing services. Passports, identity cards, driving licences and firearms permits make up the majority of licences issued by the police. Further information can be obtained from the Police website in Finnish, Swedish and English.

Passport (Passit)

Passports valid for up to one year and longer-term passports, as well as seaman's passports and collective (group) passports for Finnish citizens, are issued by the police. Passports are applied for in writing to the local police. Passport applications may be submitted to any police service point, but the passport is always issued by the police station for the place of domicile. Further information can be obtained from the Police website in Finnish, Swedish and English.

Identity cards (Henkilökortit)

minorsand temporaryidentity cards are issued by the police. Indentity cards are applied for in writing to the local police. Identity card applications may be submitted at any police service point. Further information is obtainable from the Police website in Finnish, Swedishand English.

The police may grant an identity card to a foreigner permanently residing in Finland who is entered in the population register and whose identity can be reliably verified. The card is not valid as a travel document for use abroad, but serves as a form of personal identification within Finland. (Image, 51 kb). Further information can be obtained from the police website in Finnish, Swedishand English.

Appointments can be made online with your local police licensing services.

Driving licence permit (Ajokortit)

Driving licence permits for those authorised to operate vehicles are issued by the police. Application for a driving licence permit is in writing and in person from the applicant's local police station. Payment is made when submitting the application. Further information can be obtained from the police website in Finnish, Swedish and English.