Official languages of Finland: Finnish and Swedish
Finland is officially a bilingual country. Finnish and Swedish are both national languages, protected by the Constitution. Language rights ensure that individuals can use their own language in contacts with public authorities and participate fully in society.
Constitutional status of the languages
The Constitution of Finland recognises Finnish and Swedish as the country’s national languages. This status guarantees equal legal protection for both languages.
Public authorities are required to respect language rights and provide services in both languages according to the law.
Language rights of individuals
Everyone has the right to use Finnish or Swedish when dealing with courts, authorities, and public institutions. These rights apply regardless of citizenship.
Language rights support equality and help ensure fair treatment in public administration.
Bilingual and monolingual municipalities
Municipalities in Finland are classified as monolingual or bilingual based on the size of their language minorities.
In bilingual municipalities, public services must be available in both Finnish and Swedish.
Language in education and media
Education is available in both Finnish and Swedish. This includes early childhood education, basic education, and higher education.
Media in both languages contributes to cultural diversity and access to information.
The role of languages in society
Finnish and Swedish shape cultural identity and everyday interaction. Bilingualism reflects Finland’s history and commitment to minority rights.
Respect for language diversity supports social cohesion and mutual understanding.