Around a quarter of a million Finnish citizens live outside of Finland. Around 600 000 first and second generation Finns live abroad. If the third and subsequent generations are taken into account, the amount rises to around 1,3 million.

Expatriate Finns are a resource for Finland. They contribute to make Finland and Finnish culture known abroad but they also bring with them knowledge and skills they have acquired home to Finland. It is important for Finland that the link between expatriate Finns and Finland stays strong and that they stay involved in Finnish society.

The Finnish Expatriate Parliament (the FEP) promotes the interest of all expatriate Finns. The FEP is the expatriate Finns' direct link to Finnish society.

Every 2½ years the Finnish Expatriate Parliament gathers representatives of expatriate Finnish organizations to a parliamentary session in Helsinki. All Finnish expatriate organizations can take part in the work of the parliament. All that is needed is a ratification of the by-laws of the Parliament. Membership does not entail any financial responsibilities or privileges. The Finnish Expatriate Parliament is a non-political forum. Currently 500 Finnish expatriate organizations in 37 countries have ratified the by-laws.

The Finland Society acts as the permanent secretariat of the Finnish Expatriate Parliament.

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