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Finnish legislation for entrepreneurs

Finnish legislation in the field of business and labor

Finland is the best country for Startups!

Finnish legislation

The Finnish legislation for entrepreneurs is the totality of regulatory acts, which contain the rules of law governing the actions of entrepreneurs in connection with their entrepreneurial activities. Legislation always plays a huge part in an activity of any business. This section of business plan covers the information showing the legal aspects of ensuring the processes of creation and functioning of a company, describes the main laws and regulations governing the activities of different types of the organization in Finland.

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Main content

  1. Company and labor law in Finland
  2. Legislation relating to business related activities in Finland
  3. Finnish Labor Legislation
  4. Business plan section: Legislation for your business

Company and labor law in Finland

Legislation relating to business related activities in different industries in Finland. This part of a business plan is very important for just newly created companies. Some legal issues may be specific to the type of your business but a lot of issues are common for all types of entities. The entrepreneur should pay special attention while choosing the organizational and legal form for his company: private traders (“toiminimi", “tmi", or “yksityisliike"); limited liability company ("osakeyhtiö"); co-operative ("osuuskunta"); limited partnership ("kommandiittiyhtiö"), general partnership ("avoin yhtiö") etc. Each of these forms has its own pros and cons and preparing a business plan, you should pay special attention to the main legislative and regulatory acts governing particular types of legal entities.

There are main laws and regulations governing the activities of different types of the organization. Some of business areas have special law regulations, specific requirements affecting their operations which may include, for example, obtainment of special licenses or permits.

  • Social services and health care
  • The food industry
  • Plumber (drinking water, sewage and drainage in plumbing systems) and electricity
  • Chemicals handling
  • Water and waste technical servicing

Legislation relating to business related activities in Finland

The most important links for every company in Finland:

  • Accounting Act 1336/1997 (in English) / Kirjanpitolaki 30.12.1997/1336 (in Finnish)
  • Value Added Tax Act 1501/1993 (in English) / Arvonlisäverolaki 30.12.1993/1501 (in Finnish)
  • Act on the Taxation of Business Profits and Income from Professional Activity (EVL, 360/1968)/ Laki elinkeinotulon verottamisesta 24.6.1968/360 (in Finnish)
  • The Act on Tax Procedure (1558/1995)/ Laki verotusmenettelystä 18.12.1995/1558 (in Finnish)
  • Act on the public disclosure and confidentiality of tax information 1346/1999 (in English ) / Laki verotustietojen julkisuudesta ja salassapidosta 30.12.1999/1346 (in Finnish)

Finnish Labor Legislation

We recommend you always check if an English translation is up-to-date version of the document and if it is already updated!

Business plan section: Legislation for your business

Consider the importance of legislation, the significance of the rule of law to your business:

  • Which laws apply to your business?
  • Which laws are most important to your business?

Additional information in the section "Accounting and Tax legislation in Finland"

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