Permits, supervision and guidance on legality in the healthcare and social welfare services sector

As of the beginning of 2026, the Finnish Supervisory Agency is responsible for permits, supervision and guidance on legality in the healthcare and social welfare services sector. The new agency is responsible for the tasks previously carried out by the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) and the six regional state administrative agencies. Those agencies have ceased operations now that the new agency has begun its work.

Matters already under consideration have been transferred from the old agencies to the new one.

The Finnish Supervisory Agency is responsible for all previous duties of Valvira and for most of the permit, guidance and supervision duties of the regional state administrative agencies in the healthcare and social welfare services sector. Among other tasks, the agency guides and supervises public and private healthcare and social welfare at the national level and oversees the registration of private healthcare and social welfare providers. The agency is also responsible for all permit and supervision functions related to alcohol administration. In addition, the agency promotes the implementation of preventive health and social policy in cooperation with the wellbeing services counties and municipalities.

The Finnish Adoption Board and the National Committee on Medical Research Ethics (Tukija) operate in conjunction with the Finnish Supervisory Agency.

• Healthcare and Social Welfare (Finnish Supervisory Agency)

Rights of clients and patients

See the links below for more information on the rights of clients and patients.

• Objections, complaints and requests for review (in Finnish and Swedish)