Government allocates €3.73 bn for transport & communications in draft 2027 budget

Finland’s draft 2027 state budget, submitted to Parliament on 21 September, earmarks €3.73 billion for the Ministry of Transport and Communications—up €120 million on the previous year. The largest slice (€1.4 billion) goes to rail infrastructure, including further electrification of the Oulu–Tornio line and preparatory works for the Helsinki–Tallinn tunnel environmental impact assessment. €320 million is set aside for digital-border technologies such as biometric e-gates and back-end systems needed for full Entry/Exit System compliance by 2027. Another €250 million will subsidise the purchase of 80 new zero-emission long-distance buses to keep regional services running during major track-work periods. For employers, the headline is a dedicated €45 million programme to pilot ‘Mobility-as-a-Service for Business’ applications that integrate rail, ferry and e-bike options into employer travel dashboards—potentially giving corporates bulk-pricing leverage and real-time CO₂ reporting. The budget also proposes a 50 percent cut in airport passenger charges for routes under 600 km where rail is not a viable alternative, in a bid to restore regional connectivity lost during the pandemic and the closure of Russian airspace. Parliamentary committees will review the bill over the next six weeks. Companies involved in infrastructure, ticketing tech and sustainable mobility should prepare consultations to secure final-round amendments.