Finland–Sweden relations

Finland and Sweden share a long history, similar legal systems, and an economic and social model. Finland was part of Sweden for almost 700 years from around 1150 until the Finnish War of 1809 after which Finland became an autonomous part of the Russian Empire as the Grand Duchy of Finland. Since Finland gained its full independence from Russia in 1917, Finland and Sweden have been close partners, enjoying a special relationship. The number of Finnish-Swedish connections and the quality of cooperation in most areas of the government is unique when compared to other international relations involving both countries. The Swedish language has an official status in Finland, whilst Finns form the largest ethnic minority in Sweden, estimated to be about 675,000.

Relationships are maintained at the highest political level on a regular basis, and interactions between public authorities and civil society are very strong. New elements of the special relationship are the official minority language status that the Finnish language received in Sweden, as well as the business integration between the two countries. Finland and Sweden joined the European Union together in 1995.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, both countries applied to join NATO together in May of that year. Russia stopped its electricity export to Finland, with Finland electing to import from Sweden as a result. After the two countries officially applied for membership in NATO on 18 May 2022, Turkey officially blocked the initiation of the membership processes of the two countries. On 28 June 2022, the two countries signed a tripartite memorandum with Turkey to pave the way for their membership, and the membership processes of the two countries officially started. Finland became a member of NATO on 4 April 2023 and Sweden became a member of NATO on 7 March 2024.

Finland has an embassy in Stockholm, consulate general in Gothenburg and 21 consulates in Borlänge, Borås, Eskilstuna, Gävle, Haparanda, Halmstad, Karlshamn, Karlskoga, Karlstad, Landskrona, Luleå, Malmö, Norrköping, Oskarshamn, Skellefteå, Sundsvall, Trollhättan, Uppsala, Umeå, Visby and Västerås. Sweden has an embassy in Helsinki, consulate general in Mariehamn, and 17 consulates in Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Kokkola, Kotka, Kuopio, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Mikkeli, Oulu, Jakobstad, Pori, Raseborg, Rovaniemi, Tampere, Tornio, Turku and Vaasa.

On a larger scale, both Finland and Sweden also share a special relationship with the other Nordic countries: Denmark, Iceland and Norway, and these five countries are members of the Nordic Council. Both countries are full members of Council of Europe, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the European Union and NATO.