Population Information System
The Finnish Population Information System is a computerised national register that contains basic information about Finnish citizens and foreign citizens residing in Finland on a permanent or temporary basis. Also recorded is information about buildings, construction projects, residences and real estate.
The information in the system is used throughout Finnish society’s information services and management, including public administration, elections, taxation, judicial administration, research and statistics. Businesses and other private organisations can also gain access to the information. Basic information related to the identification of people and buildings is registered in the Population Information System.
Personal data recorded in the system includes
- name
- personal identity code
- address
- citizenship
- native language
- family relations
- date of birth and death (if applicable)
Building data registered includes
- the building code
- location
- owner
- area
- facilities
- network connections
- intended use
- year of construction
Real estate data registered includes the real estate unit identifier, owner’s name and address, and buildings located on the property.
Finland’s registration of population data is viewed internationally as being of a high standard. Population registers have a long history in Finland, with population information having been registered since the 1530s.
Links to laws related to the matter
Act on the Population Information System and the certificate services of the Digital and Population Data Services AgencyLink to an external website, Opens in a new tabyja-external-link-opens-in-a-new-tab (661/2009) (in Finnish)
Government Decree on the Population Information SystemLink to an external website, Opens in a new tabyja-external-link-opens-in-a-new-tab (128/2010) (in Finnish)
GDPRLink to an external website, Opens in a new tabyja-external-link-opens-in-a-new-tab
The Data Protection ActLink to an external website, Opens in a new tabyja-external-link-opens-in-a-new-tab (1050/2018) (in Finnish)