Valvira’s operations to end; duties will be transferred to the new Finnish Supervisory Agency

The operations of the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health Valvira will end at the end of 2025. All Valvira’s duties will be transferred to the new nationwide Finnish Supervisory Agency, which will launch on 1 January 2026. In addition to Valvira’s duties, the Finnish Supervisory Agency will be responsible for most of the tasks of the Regional State Administrative Agencies, as well as most of the environment-related tasks of the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres).

The reform is part of the reform of regional state administration, the legislation on which was adopted by the Parliament on 18 June 2025. The acts will proceed to the President of the Republic for confirmation.

Harmonised and streamlined licensing and supervision practices

The aim of the new Finnish Supervisory Agency is to harmonise and streamline licensing and supervision practices nationwide. 

“Currently, the licensing and supervision tasks in social welfare and health care are carried out in seven different agencies – Valvira and six independent Regional State Administrative Agencies. This may result in unclear situations for customers. The launch of the Finnish Supervisory Agency will provide an excellent opportunity to develop and harmonise licensing and supervision processes and related solutions,” says Valvira’s Director General Markus Henriksson. 

The independent bodies currently operating in connection with Valvira, the Finnish Adoption Board and the National Committee on Medical Research Ethics (Tukija), will also be transferred to the Finnish Supervisory Agency.

The new Finnish Supervisory Agency will be a nationwide, multidisciplinary state agency. The Agency’s duties will cover the social welfare and health care sector, environmental issues, occupational health and safety, rescue services, preparedness, education, culture and early childhood education, as well as business activities in certain sectors. The Agency will have offices in 18 locations.  The head office will be located in Tampere. There will be about 2,000 employees located in different parts of Finland.

The change will be actively communicated to Valvira’s customers and stakeholders throughout the rest of the year on Valvira’s website and LinkedIn account.

Further information

Markus Henriksson, Director General, +358 295 209 300

Lue lisää

Valvira’s duties to be transferred to the Finnish Supervisory Agency

Ministry of Finance press release 19 June 2025 (in Finnish)

Regional State Administrative Agencies press release (in Finnish)

ELY Centres press release (in Finnish)