PIS modified data interface

The PIS modified data interface is suitable for updating large public administration person registers. The service is particularly suitable for situations in which keeping data up to date is important. The PIS modified data interface will replace the modified data update service by the end of 2024.

The PIS modified data interface is used to update organisations’ registers with changes recorded in the population data. The customer can choose the update interval of the data. Due to the flexible update interval, keeping the data up to date is also more efficient than in the previous modified data update service. For example, the update interval can be once a day.

Data can be retrieved from the PIS modified data interface using several different criteria:

• Personal data can be retrieved by personal identity codes.
• Municipalities, hospital districts and joint municipal authorities can retrieve personal data updates by the municipality. 
• The authorities that keep a national register can have their own customised retrieval criteria for updating personal data.

In connection with the commissioning of the service, the agreed basic data on all persons in the register will be relayed to the customer organisation's register. 

Test interface

To demonstrate and test the PIS modified data interface, a so-called sandbox website (in Finnish) has been made available. The service does not require signing in and is freely available to customers and software developers.

The data in the sandbox does not contain real personal data. The personal identity codes and other personal data are test materials. The data can be used for various service development tasks and for testing the service. The test personal identity codes starting with the number 9 are never real persons' personal identity codes.

Follow these instructions

If the organisation has previously been a user of the modified data update service, the format and relay method of the data will change when switching to the PIS modified data interface. It also requires changes to the technical implementation by which the customer's register is updated. 

A sequential file similar to the current modified data update service will be delivered until the end of 2024. Until then, the current modified data update service will operate alongside the new service. No changes other than those brought about by legislative changes will be made to the old modified data update service, and it is not offered to new users.

Commissioning the PIS modified data interface

The PIS modified data interface's data is relayed through the Digital and Population Data Services Agency's Suomi.fi Data Exchange Layer. Read more about the Data Exchange Layer.

The commissioning of the PIS modified data interface is done by applying for a data access authorisation in the Digital and Population Data Services Agency's e-services.

• PIS modified data interface application instructions for public administration customers (link)
• PIS modified data interface order instructions for municipalities (link)

When placing an order for the service, a report on data protection arrangements and the purpose for the use of the data must be provided.

Municipalities, hospital districts and joint municipal authorities have been granted a general data access authorisation for the organisation's official duties. These organisations do not need to apply for an authorisation separately, as the service can be ordered through the e-service.

When making the order, a report on data protection arrangements and the use of the data must be filled out.

Frequently asked questions