Finland joins a Declaration of Intent promoting the automation of road transport

On 9 June 2026, in connection with the EU Transport Council meeting, Finland joined a Joint Declaration of Intent by Member States regarding large-scale cross-border testbeds for autonomous vehicles. The aim is to promote the testing of automated driving systems in the EU.

"In Finland, we have a long track record of promoting the automation of transport. Our aim is for automation to increase road safety and improve competitiveness. It is positive that the safe testing and deployment of automated vehicles will be promoted on an EU-wide basis," says Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne. 

The Joint Declaration of Intent stems from an initiative launched by the Commission in spring 2025 with the aim of creating cross-border and harmonised permit and approval procedures for the testing of automated driving systems in the EU. The initiative is related to the European Automotive Action Plan.

The aim of the testbed to be established under the initiative and the cooperation between Member States is to accelerate the testing, product development and market access of safe and interoperable automated vehicles. At the same time, the goal is to strengthen the EU's competitiveness and innovation capacity. The cooperation also aims to ensure that automated transport generates societal benefits, such as improved road safety, accessibility and sustainable mobility throughout the EU.

The initiative currently has 13 Member States as full members. Finland has thus far participated in the initiative as an observer but, with the signing of the Joint Declaration of Intent, Finland joins the initiative as a full member. In addition to Finland, the Joint Declaration of Intent has been signed by Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden.

Finland promotes the widespread implementation of transport automation

Finland aims to actively promote the international regulatory framework for the automation of road transport. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is expected to adopt vehicle regulations concerning automated driving systems in June. As a result, EU type-approved autonomous vehicles could likely be seen on the roads in 2028. Through its participation in UNECE and EU working groups, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom has been involved in the development of regulation concerning automated driving. Traficom also plays an important role in the international work to prepare regulations governing the market access of automated systems.

Amendments to road transport legislation at the national level are being prepared in tandem with the advancement of vehicle technology. The legislative amendments being prepared will clarify liability in situations where a vehicle does not have a human driver. The existing legislation in Finland encourages experimentation and allows for trials conducted in various ways and with different types of vehicles. The aim is to support the development of automated transport services that benefit both urban feeder traffic and sparsely populated areas.

Several trials that promote transport automation are under way in Finland. Remoted is currently carrying out a pilot project on autonomous driving in Tampere where, for the first time in Finland, the vehicle is operating without a safety driver on board. Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences has been granted a trial permit for the RovesUGV project, which focuses on the development of autonomous logistics solutions in Seinäjoki. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is also testing automated vehicles, both in closed environments and on public roads.

Inquiries:

Antti Paasilehto, Senior Ministerial Adviser for International Affairs, tel. +358 295 342 310, [email protected] (Joint Declaration of Intent)

 Petri Lepistö, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 342 014, [email protected] (Joint Declaration of Intent)

Kirsi Miettinen, Senior Adviser, Legislative Affairs, tel. +358 295 342 570, [email protected] (transport automation)