Diplomatic Missions

The network of Finnish missions

The signboard of the Finland's embassy

Finland's representation abroad comprises diplomatic missions and consular missions. Diplomatic missions refer to embassies and their separate offices in different states and permanent and special missions to international organisations and cooperation organs. Finland has also diplomatic missions called liaison offices. Consular missions refer to consulates general, consulates, and offices under the administration of a consulate general, headed by a career official, or honorary consulates, led by an honorary consul.

The network of Finnish missions abroad comprises 98 offices:

• 77 embassies in sovereign states and one separate office under the administration of an embassy
• 6 permanent representations to international organisations1 special missions
• 1 liaison office
• 7 consulates general
• 3 consulates headed by a career official
• 2 separate offices under the administration of a consulate general
• 4 roving ambassadors, based in Helsinki.

In addition, Finland has about 400 honorary consulates.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs published a report on Finland representation abroad on September 21, 2009.

• Finland's Representation Abroad (PDF) 
   

The network of Finnish missions abroad 2009 (PDF, 1 MB) 

Multiple accreditation

The President of the Republic can authorise the head of an embassy or mission to serve as a diplomatic representative in not only the host state but also in another state (side accreditation), which means that the head of mission is also a non-resident head of an embassy or mission in another state.

Honorary consuls of Finland abroad

The Finnish Foreign Service upholds a long tradition of honorary consular services. The network of honorary consulates started immediately after Finland had become independent.

At present, honorary consuls monitor the rights of Finnish citizens in their sphere of operation and, for their part, promote the economic and cultural relations between Finland and their country. Honorary consuls thus play a part in the promotion of export and internationalisation of Finnish companies (EPI). Honorary consuls' activities are supervised by the local Finnish embassy or the consulate general responsible for the region.

In compliance with international practice, Finland has four different honorary consular titles: honorary consul general, honorary consul, honorary vice consul and honorary consular agent. Honorary consuls are not necessarily Finnish citizens. They are persons of a prestigious social position discharging their honorary consular duties as a part-time occupation without remuneration.

Honorary consuls' contact details can be found and accessed at Finnish missions abroad by country.