The Ministry of Defence Finland has drafted a bill that is being sent for consultation, which allows exceptions to the prohibition on the import and handling of nuclear weapons in connection with NATO cooperation and national defence. The deadline for comments is 2 April 2026.

According to the current regulations, it is prohibited to import nuclear warheads into Finland as well as to transport, deliver, or possess such in the country. In the new bill, it is proposed that these restrictions can be exempted in situations concerning Finland's national defence, NATO's collective defence, or defence cooperation.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the amendment would make Finnish legislation more compatible with NATO's functions. The proposal is part of the legal reforms that the government under Prime Minister Petteri Orpo deems necessary for Finland's integration into NATO.

In the press release, the Ministry of Defence states that the amendment aims to strengthen deterrence in an unpredictable security situation and contribute to maintaining a high threshold for military aggression against Finland and NATO.

The Ministry of Defence also emphasizes that the legislative change does not mean that NATO or Finland plans to station nuclear weapons in the country.

– The proposed amendment would not mean that Finland would seek to have nuclear weapons within its territory. Finland does not seek to have nuclear weapons within its territory, and NATO does not plan such a measure either.

Finland, like other NATO countries, is a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and continues to commit to this and other international agreements, according to the ministry.

The bill is now out for consultation. The deadline for submitting comments is 2 April 2026.