Emergency powers act: Emergency conditions
Updated December 2025
Exceptional circumstances according to the law:
- An armed attack against Finland or an attack of comparable severity and its immediate aftermath
- A particularly serious event or threat affecting the livelihood of the population or the economic foundations of the country, as a result of which functions essential for the functioning of society are materially endangered
- A particularly serious major accident and its immediate aftermath
- A very widespread dangerous communicable disease corresponding to a major accident with particularly severe effects.
Sources and links
Emergency Powers Act (1552/2011):
https://www.finlex.fi/en/legislation/translations/2011/eng/1552
Government proposal on COVID-19 operating authorisations (2021):
https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-/government-to-introduce-powers-necessary-to-manage-covid-19-with-decrees-on-use-of-powers-under-emergency-powers-act

