Granting the Power of Attorney in Finland

There are many situations in which one can use a power of attorney in Finland (POA). It can be issued by natural persons and companies that need representation when they cannot be present in dealing with various matters. Below, our Finnish lawyers explain the main types of powers of attorney that can be issued in this country and the conditions for using them.

The parties in a power of attorney in Finland

When granting a power of attorney in Finland, the person or company creating the document is known as a grantor, while the representative is known as an agent or attorney-in-fact. While for companies, there are no specific requirements to respect, when drafted by individuals, the following must be considered:

• the grantor must be a person who is at least 18 years of age;
• the grantor must also have full mental capacity to delegate one or more tasks to the agent.

Given that there can be more than one aspect in which an attorney-in-fact can offer representation, there are several types of POAs that can beissued in Finland.

Types of powers of attorney in Finland

Here are the types of powers of attorney one can issue in Finland:

• the general power of attorney, which can be used for completing multiple tasks on behalf of the grantor, and which has a longer validity;
• the limited power of attorney, which is used for representation in a single matter and whose validity terminates after the task is completed;
• the continuing or lasting power of attorney, which is often drafted by a grantor who is or knows that he/she will become incapacitated to manage his/her affairs.

The last type of Finnish POA takes effect only once the Digital and Population Data Services Agency confirms it after the grantor has become incapable of managing his/her affairs, and it ends on the grantor’s death. This is why it is often used in inheritance or healthcare matters.

If you need support in granting a power of attorney in Finland, you can rely on our lawyers in Finland.

How to create a power of attorney in Finland

If you want to grant a POA in Finland, you can draft the document by hand; however, it is advisable to have it in multiple copies. Alternatively, you can have it redacted by our law firm in Finland and stored with us. No matter its form, we also recommend having it notarized. Also, make sure the agent has an original document.

When issuing lasting powers of attorney for representation in case of illness, our lawyers advise you to obtain a medical certificate that attests to it and your incapacity to make decisions.

We also offer representation; as such, you can appoint one of our lawyers as an attorney-in-fact.

Common cases in which powers of attorney are used in Finland

The power of attorney is one of the safest documents one can issue, so it can be used to delegate various tasks, among which:

• real estate acquisition or sale;
• car registration;
• immigration to Finland;
• bank account opening;
• inheritance distribution;
• financial transactions;
• company setup;
• business licensing;
• representation in contractual matters;
• representation in litigation cases.

Our Finnish law firm can offer support in all situations mentioned above, so if you have any questions, we are here to answer them.

Legal aid offices in Finland

If you need support in drafting a power of attorney, you can rely on our lawyers who are part of the Finnish Bar Association. They work alongside:

• 2,300 lawyers who are registered with the Bar Association, according to data available for the end of 2023;
• 851 of these lawyers were women;
• under the EU Directive 98/5/EC, 3 Finnish lawyers were allowed to offer their services in Sweden.

If you need support in drafting or representation based on a power of attorney, contact us.