How to Find Government Tenders in Finland

Yes, Hilma (hankintailmoitukset.fi) is completely free to access and use. You can browse all published tenders without registration, though creating a free account allows you to set up personalised email alerts and save searches.

It depends on the specific procurement. While Finnish and Swedish are the official languages, some contracting authorities — particularly for large or internationally oriented tenders — accept submissions in English. Always check the tender documentation carefully for language requirements. When in doubt, contact the contracting authority during the clarification period.

If you believe a procurement decision violates the Hankintalaki (Public Procurement Act), you can file an appeal with the Market Court (MAO) within 14 days of being notified of the decision. The standstill period prevents the contract from being signed while an appeal is pending. You should seek legal advice before filing, as there are costs involved and strict procedural requirements.

No. Under EU procurement rules, any company established in an EU/EEA country can bid on Finnish public tenders on equal terms. Companies from countries with relevant international agreements (e.g., GPA signatories) may also participate. You do not need a Finnish company registration or local office, though you may need to demonstrate capacity to deliver in Finland.

Hansel Oy is the Finnish government's central purchasing body. It establishes framework agreements for common goods and services used by state entities. When a Hansel framework is in place, government bodies typically must use it rather than running their own procurement. Winning a position on a Hansel framework can provide significant, recurring revenue from multiple government customers.