Thirty years ago, the Finnish people made the European Union their home – a historic moment for both Finland and the rest of the EU. Since 1995, Finland and its citizens have benefitted greatly from the Single Market, international partnerships and robust trade agreements. Finnish people living in rural, coastal and regional communities have received more support, leading to a richer diversity in Finnish food and produce. The European Union has made Finland stronger. And our Union has changed for the better thanks to Finland. How Finland has changed the EU Finland’s industries and advanced technologies have contributed significantly to boosting the EU’s competitiveness. At the same time, Finland’s rich legacy of democracy and equality has helped our Union grow and become more solid and fair over the years. Over the past three decades, Finland has brought attention to the need for greater preparedness for both civil and military crises, which has proven invaluable to the EU’s collective security.As a Nordic Member State, Finland has brought greater attention to the Arctic circle, advocating for greater protection of the area’s wildlife and environment. It has also been a strong advocate for integrating the Baltic states into the EU. How EU membership has changed Finland Over 130,000Finns have been able to study across the EU thanks to the Erasmus+ programme€26 billionEU funding provided to Finnish farmers under the Common Agricultural Programme (CAP) Close to 67%Increase in Finland's real GDP since becoming an EU Member State More facts and figuresPeople living in Finland have experienced the benefits of greater economic growth in their lives, with employment growing by more than 34% since 1995.With EU membership, Finland has been able to enjoy stronger trading ties with other EU countries thanks to the Single Market. The value of goods exported from Finland has more than doubled since joining the EU. Research and innovation are key for the future development of both Finland and the EU. Finland is one of the top four innovation leaders in the EU. Since 1995, Finland's researchers have been able to advance European knowledge with the help of over €4.3 billion in EU financial support. Together with scientists in Poland and Germany, Finnish researchers have discovered new solutions to make shipping greener in the EU, for instance. Success stories Innovating with competitive technologyFor the digital transformation, competitive European technology is needed - and Finland is leading the way within the European Union.One standout example is LUMI, one of the world’s most renowned supercomputers, located at the CSC data centre in Kajaani, Finland. LUMI is a key part of the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking, a public-private partnership aimed at fostering European competitiveness and innovation. As one of the fastest supercomputers in Europe, LUMI is not only a technological marvel but also a leader in sustainability. It operates using hydroelectric energy and takes advantage of Finland’s naturally cold climate, significantly reducing the energy needed for cooling its systems.Support for a sustainable environmentFinland is renowned for its abundance of fresh water, with nearly 200,000 lakes gracing the landscape. The country continues to lead in the management and recycling of its invaluable water resources, setting a benchmark for sustainability at EU level.With support from the European Regional Development Fund, the Kuopio Water Cluster—a collaborative network of universities, research institutions, and companies—drives innovation in water technologies and sustainable solutions for the water industry.This initiative strengthens Finland’s position as a leader in water management while contributing to the European Union’s broader goals of environmental sustainability and resource efficiency.Finnish solidarity in actionOver the past three decades, Finland has collaborated closely with other EU Member States to enhance the protection of EU citizens during emergencies. In 2023, Finland received €252 million to establish the first rescEU Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) strategic reserve, aimed at safeguarding European citizens against CBRN incidents and other high-risk situations.This pioneering reserve includes essential medical countermeasures, advanced medical devices, and specialised field response equipment. It represents a significant step forward in enhancing preparedness and resilience across the European Union.More educational opportunities for young peopleThanks to the European Union, young Finnish citizens have gained more opportunities to study across a wider Union. Since 1995, over 130,000 higher education students from Finland have participated in the Erasmus+ programme. Through Erasmus+, around 173,000 EU citizens have also enjoyed the opportunity to attend universities in Finland, discovering Finnish education and culture.Expanding the reach of Finnish products across the EU Over the past 30 years, EU citizens have been able to enjoy more high-quality foods, drinks and agricultural products of Finnish origin. Today, 11 products from Finland, including Lapin Poron Kylmäsavuliha (cold-smoked reindeer meat from Lapland) are featured on the EU’s list of products with protected designations of origin. Related links Finland country profileEnlargement: how it works
Thirty years ago, the Finnish people made the European Union their home – a historic moment for both Finland and the rest of the EU. Since 1995, Finland and its citizens have benefitted greatly from the Single Market, international partnerships and robust trade agreements. Finnish people living in rural, coastal and regional communities have received more support, leading to a richer diversity in Finnish food and produce. The European Union has made Finland stronger. And our Union has changed for the better thanks to Finland.
Finland’s industries and advanced technologies have contributed significantly to boosting the EU’s competitiveness. At the same time, Finland’s rich legacy of democracy and equality has helped our Union grow and become more solid and fair over the years. Over the past three decades, Finland has brought attention to the need for greater preparedness for both civil and military crises, which has proven invaluable to the EU’s collective security.As a Nordic Member State, Finland has brought greater attention to the Arctic circle, advocating for greater protection of the area’s wildlife and environment. It has also been a strong advocate for integrating the Baltic states into the EU.
