Changes to the processing schedule of the Digital First legislation in Parliament: What does this mean for organisations?

The legislative proposal on the transition to digital official communications (the "Digital First" change) will continue to be discussed in February 2026 after the parliamentary recess. It is estimated that the legislation will enter into force in the first half of 2026 instead of the 12 January 2026 set out in the Government proposal. The exact date will be confirmed as the parliamentary proceedings progress.

You can follow the progress on the Parliament's website (in Finnish; HE 124/2025 vp Government proposal to Parliament for legislation on the primacy of electronic communication in official matters.)

What does this mean for organisations?

• Please take note of the new processing schedule in your customer communications so that your customers receive up-to-date information on the implementation schedule. 
  • Tell your customers that the legislation is estimated to enter into force in the first half of 2026.
• Make sure that your customer service employees can explain how the schedule has changed and use the existing communications material in your customer communications.
  • The Digital and Population Data Services Agency has updated the communications material for public administration organisations to correspond to the changed schedule. 

What does this mean for citizens?

• At the beginning of 2026, citizens will still be prompted to activate Suomi.fi Messages when they identify themselves in the e-services of the state, municipality or wellbeing services county. 
  • The prompt will be displayed to adults who use the e-services of the authorities but have not yet activated Suomi.fi Messages.
  • The prompt will not be displayed to minors, people under guardianship or those who have a confirmed continuing power of attorney. 
• The activation of Suomi.fi Messages will be prompted in connection with identification until the Digital First legislation enters into force.
  • Once the legislation has entered into force, Suomi.fi Messages will be activated for the person when they identify themselves in the e-services of the state, municipality or wellbeing services county.

Currently, approximately 2.4 million people have already activated Suomi.fi Messages. Additionally, about 1.9 million people use the e-services of the authorities but have not yet activated Suomi.fi Messages.

Additional information for organisations

Digital and Population Data Services Agency, customer service for organisations, [email protected], tel. +358 295 535 115 (telephone service open Mon–Fri 9:00–15:00)