Authentication for electronic services provided by authorities is changing

6.5.2025 | Starting from May 12, approximately 2.8 million individuals will be prompted to activate Suomi.fi Messages when they authenticate themselves in public administration’s electronic services. The aim of this change is to encourage citizens to start receiving official mail primarily in digital form.

“Adopting Suomi.fi Messages saves time for both citizens and authorities, as messages are delivered quickly and reliably to the correct recipient. It also reduces the costs and environmental impact associated with handling paper mail. The goal is for more citizens to transition smoothly and securely to digital communication with authorities,” says project manager Annette Hotari from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.

How does the activation proposal change authentication?

In the change taking effect on May 12, Suomi.fi Messages will not be activated automatically for anyone. Instead, users can decide for themselves whether to activate the service.

The activation proposal is shown to adults who do not yet have Suomi.fi Messages in use.

The proposal appears each time a person authenticates using Suomi.fi authentication in a public administration service.

Activation requires the user to provide and confirm an email address within one hour. The user will receive a notification by email whenever new messages arrive in Suomi.fi Messages.

The proposal can be skipped, allowing the user to continue with authentication as normal. Suomi.fi Messages can also be activated later.

How can electronic messages be read?

Messages received in Suomi.fi Messages can be read via the Suomi.fi mobile app or by logging in to the Suomi.fi online service and navigating to the “Messages” section.
Authentication is done using online banking credentials, a mobile certificate, or the electronic ID certificate on a Finnish ID card.
Users will receive an email notification to the address they provided whenever a new message arrives. Notifications are also available via the Suomi.fi mobile app, if it is in use.
Users can later return to receiving paper mail by changing the settings in Suomi.fi Messages.

More information about Suomi.fi Messages: https://www.suomi.fi/instructions-and-support/messages
More information about Suomi.fi authentication: https://www.suomi.fi/instructions-and-support/identification/what-is-suomifi-e-identification