Finland Investor Confidence Barometer 2026: Stability strong

Amid increased friction in geopolitical relations in 2026, foreign-owned companies still view Finland’s operating environment as one of the most reliable in Europe. Confidence in those fundamentals has remained unshaken since 2023, despite rising inflation and escalating tensions.

Investment appetite in Finland remains remarkably strong, with two‑thirds (66%) of companies operating in the country planning expansion or new investments domestically – even as the overall business environment score (a composite rating covering stability, predictability, talent, costs and infrastructure) has softened slightly in recent years.

These insights come from the Finland Investor Confidence Barometer 2026, produced by Amcham Finland and Invest in Finland, as part of Business Finland. The study is based on responses from 201 senior executives and provides a comprehensive view of how decision‑makers assess the country as a business location.

Societal stability, functionality and resilience remain Finland’s highest‑rated strengths, cited by over half (58%) of respondents in the 2026 Barometer. Quality of life is a core advantage frequently highlighted by both Finnish‑ and foreign‑owned company leaders, and digital infrastructure was similarly recognized as a key strength by approximately half of the surveyed business leaders.

“Finland stands out as one of the world’s most digital and trusted societies, qualities that matter even more when companies make long-term investment decisions.”

– Teemu Vidgrén, General Manager, Microsoft

Foreign‑owned companies reinforce this overall picture. With operating experience across multiple markets, they tend to benchmark Finland internationally and are more likely than locally‑owned firms to highlight the country’s predictability.

Over a third (36%) of foreign‑owned companies identify the predictability of laws and regulations as a notable strength, compared with a quarter (24%) of Finnish‑owned companies. This difference highlights how clearly Finland’s consistency stands out when viewed through an international lens. Foreign investors regularly point to the country’s trust‑based environment, functioning institutions and transparent legal frameworks as factors that reduce risk and enable multi‑year planning.

This focus on consistency naturally extends to areas where regulatory clarity directly shapes investment decisions. Companies continue to highlight the predictability and efficiency of permitting as critical factors for investment, noting that unclear or slow processes can influence whether expansion plans move forward.

The 2026 Barometer underlines this clearly: firms identify predictable regulation and efficient permitting as key prerequisites to unlocking additional investment, and emphasize that permitting processes will be essential for turning positive intentions into realized projects.

The 2026 results also highlight an important shift in Finland’s energy landscape. In 2023, companies were concerned about rising energy prices and the volatility caused by the European energy crisis. By contrast, the 2026 Barometer shows a dramatic improvement, with energy costs now perceived as a clear strength. This change reflects Finland’s stable electricity grid, reliable access to carbon‑neutral power and long‑term price stability.

Together, these conditions enhance operational certainty and strengthen Finland’s appeal for energy‑intensive industries, data centers and companies planning major green transition investments.

“Companies entering Finland often remark on the exceptional level of trust and predictability in the business environment – agreements are honored, and surprises are rare.”

– Carolina Ambite, Country Leader Finland, TMF Group

Finland’s geopolitical profile has also strengthened since 2023, with NATO membership enhancing investor confidence amid shifting global security dynamics. However, nearly 60% of respondents responded that their perceptions of political risk have risen in the past two years, albeit that the nature of that concern has shifted.

Rather than being driven by external shocks, such as inflation or the war in Ukraine, today’s focus is on ensuring clarity and consistency in domestic decision‑making, particularly around regulation and administrative processes. Companies are not losing confidence in Finland’s stability; instead, they want the country to reinforce its hallmark predictability during a period of faster policymaking and administrative change.

Overall, despite a slight decline in the business environment score compared to earlier years, the foundations that make Finland an attractive business location remain intact and, in some areas, stronger. Clean energy reliability, digital infrastructure, high institutional trust and a secure geopolitical position underpin investment decisions at a time when companies are re-evaluating where they can operate with resilience.

Finland’s challenge and opportunity lie in reinforcing these strengths through consistent decision-making, ensuring that predictability continues to be the country’s defining strategic advantage.