Finland moves to mandatory XBRL reporting for company accounts

Posted on January 25, 2026 by Editor

Finland is preparing for a significant shift in how company financial information is filed, stored and used. From 2027, most Finnish companies will be required to submit their financial statements in structured digital format, replacing today's largely PDF-based reporting with Inline XBRL. The change marks a decisive step towards fully machine-readable company data across the Finnish economy.

Under the new framework, financial statements, management reports, audit reports and audit confirmations will all be filed digitally using Inline XBRL. The obligation will be introduced in phases, starting with companies that are required to appoint an auditor, before extending a year later to most limited liability companies and partnerships. To support smaller firms, the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) plans to offer a free conversion service for companies without digital accounting systems.

The reform is rooted in EU company law and long-standing efforts to improve transparency and cross-border data use. Legislative preparation and stakeholder consultation began in 2025, giving authorities and market participants time to align systems and processes ahead of implementation. The structured format will allow automated validation and easier extraction of key information, such as European unique identifiers, employee numbers and group structures.

The phased timeline reflects EU requirements to implement updated company law provisions by 2027, with the wider objective that all company accounts held in Finland's trade register will be available in structured digital form by 2028.

Finland's approach highlights the value of taking a measured, well-signposted path to digital reporting. By embedding Inline XBRL at the heart of its national filing infrastructure, Finland strengthens data quality, reduces friction for filers, and improves the usability of financial information across borders.

Read more about the legislative framework here and here, both in Finish.