Budget proposal for Ministry for Foreign Affairs and its branch of government for 2027

The Finnish Government is proposing EUR 244 million for the operating expenses of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The operating expenses would be subject to a productivity saving of EUR 0.4 million as part of the additional measures the Government adopted in spring 2026 to adjust general government finances. The Ministry will primarily target the savings at its activities in Finland by limiting backfill recruitment and improving efficiency. The savings outlined in the Government Programme for development cooperation will increase by EUR 50 million.

The goal of Finland’s foreign and security policy is to safeguard the country’s independence and territorial integrity, avoid becoming involved in a military conflict and ensure the security and wellbeing of its people.

The global political situation has evolved significantly, and Finland’s foreign and security policy is affected by the difficult and unpredictable operating environment. In the face of increasing pressures, the Foreign Service serves the whole of central government as well as citizens, companies, organisations, the media and other partners.

Operating expenses of the Foreign Service

A total of EUR 21.6 million in savings has been allocated to the appropriations of the Foreign Service through productivity programme measures and other savings in operating expenses decided during the government term. Of these savings, EUR 11.8 million has been allocated directly to the operating expenses of the Foreign Service.

The Finnish Government is proposing EUR 244 million for the operating expenses of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The operating expenses would be subject to a productivity saving of EUR 0.4 million as part of the additional measures the Government adopted in spring 2026 to adjust general government finances. The Ministry will primarily target the savings at its activities in Finland by limiting backfill recruitment and improving efficiency. Savings will be sought in all functions and categories of expenditure.

The activities of the Foreign Service rely on a comprehensive network of diplomatic and consular missions abroad. In accordance with the Government Programme, this network and its resourcing will be systematically reviewed in the long term. Finland currently has 94 diplomatic and consular missions, including offices transferred from Business Finland.

Team Finland

The foreign functions of Business Finland were integrated into the Foreign Service on 1 January 2026. Finnish businesses can now obtain export promotion services abroad in a centralised manner. EUR 22.5 million has been budgeted for export promotion services in connection with the Team Finland reform. Savings of EUR 1.8 million will be allocated to these appropriations during the government term, EUR 0.6 million of which will be allocated in 2027.

Development cooperation

The priorities of the Government’s development policy include improving the position, right to self-determination and sexual and reproductive health of women and girls, all of which are key to curbing population growth. Education and climate measures are also a priority. Ukraine is a strong regional priority. Finland also pursues its objectives through EU development policy, international development finance institutions and UN organisations. It effectively promotes the participation of Finnish companies in investment projects funded within the framework of the EU’s Global Gateway initiative. It also fosters opportunities for Finnish businesses in developing countries and improves the ability of businesses to apply for funding from the UN, the EU and development finance institutions.

The Government is proposing that EUR 483 million and mandate commitments of EUR 365 million be allocated to official development assistance (ODA) administered by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The expenditure arising from the commitments will be incurred after 2027. Government decisions will increase savings in the appropriation for the exclusive ODA budget item. The saving outlined in the Government Programme will increase by EUR 50 million.

The Government is proposing to continue its support for developing countries by allocating EUR 34.7 million to development cooperation funding in the form of loans and investments. These appropriations will be reduced by EUR 35 million as part of the measures the Government adopted in spring 2026 to adjust general government finances. A total of EUR 5 million is proposed for increasing the capital of Finnfund.

An appropriation of EUR 57 million and mandate commitments of EUR 40 million are proposed for the item Humanitarian Assistance to Ukraine. The total amount of the assistance paid to Ukraine from the Foreign Ministry’s appropriations is estimated at approximately EUR 65 million in 2027. Ukraine is the largest beneficiary of Finland’s development cooperation assistance during this government term.

It is proposed that an appropriation of EUR 30 million be allocated to mediation, as in 2026.

Finland’s overall public development cooperation expenditure is estimated at EUR 1.105 billion, which corresponds to around 0.36% of gross national income (GNI).

Other appropriations

The Government proposes EUR 45 million for the material and administrative costs of Finland’s crisis management contingents. The appropriation will be reduced by EUR 5 million because of the impending conclusion of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and by EUR 3.1 million because the estimated use of the appropriation has been adjusted.

EUR 13.1 million is proposed for civilian crisis management. A reduction of EUR 3.9 million is allocated to the appropriation as part of the savings in operating expenses adopted by the Government in autumn 2025 and in spring 2026.

It is proposed that an appropriation of EUR 3.2 million be allocated to mediation, as in 2026.

The Government proposes approximately EUR 149 million for membership fees and contributions to international organisations. Finland’s contributions to the EU account for the bulk of the appropriation, totalling EUR 66 million. About EUR 27 million is proposed for contributions to the UN and EUR 11 million for NATO.