Page 10 - DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES IN FINLAND

INTRODUCTION
The Protocol Services of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland have the pleasure to provide the missions and their staff members with an updated version of the handbook entitled Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities in Finland.
The purpose of this handbook is to facilitate the arrival and residence of the foreign members of missions and their family members. It is meant to act as a general guide to the most essential diplomatic privileges and immunities and to the common practical issues that members of missions may encounter in Finland. In case of disputes, reference should be made primarily to the Vienna Conventions or to the Finnish legislation. The information presented in this handbook is subject to change without prior notice.
The privileges and immunities of foreign diplomatic missions and consular posts, staff members as well as of their family members in Finland are governed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 (VCDR), and by the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 (VCCR). Further provisions on the implementation of the Conventions are given in the Finnish national legislation. Finland has also concluded bilateral agreements with a number of states, concerning such matters as gainful employment of family members. The status of the staff of different international organisations is primarily governed by the agreements Finland has concluded with the organisations. These agreements are not specifically referred to in this handbook.
Based on the principle of reciprocity, career consular officers are generally granted the same privileges as the diplomatic staff of missions. As a rule, consular employees and the administrative and technical staff of diplomatic missions are regarded as equals.
An online version, which will be updated when needed, is available on the Ministry´s web site at http://um.fi (please choose in English → Services and support → Diplomatic Portal)
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