Damage caused by a criminal offence

Under the Act on Compensation for Crime Damage, the victim of a crime can be paid a compensation for personal injury, property damage, financial loss and suffering.

Entitlement to compensation from state funds is secondary in nature. Compensation which the victim of a crime has received from the offender is deducted from the compensation paid by the state. Compensation which the victim of a crime has received on another legal basis or from other insurance is also deducted from the compensation paid by the state.

Compensation payable from state funds is granted by the State Treasury. 

>> Compensation to crime victims -brochure (.pdf/132k)   >> Application formfor crime occurred before 1.1.2006 (.pdf/238k)		>> Compensation to crime victims -brochure (.pdf/4407 k) >> Application form for crime occurred on or after 1.1.2006 (.pdf/349 k)

A new Act on Compensation for Crime Damage came into force on 1 January 2006. The old Act is applied to compensation for crime damage which was caused prior to 1 January 2006.

In connection with the reform of the Act on Compensation for Crime Damage, The Finnish Parliament has also ratified the European Union Council Directive 2004/80/EC. The Directive eases the process by which the victims of violent intentional crime occurring within the territory of the European Union can claim and obtain compensation. The State Treasury acts as the assisting, receiving and transmitting authority in matters of compensation for criminal damage in cross-border situations between the European Union member states.

Further information: 
Key reforms in the Act on Compensation for Crime Damage
Frequently asked questions

Contact:
State Treasury, Insurance, Compensation Services, P.O. Box 50, 00054 STATE TREASURY
Visiting adress: Sörnäisten rantatie 13, 00530 Helsinki
tel. (09) 7725 736, fax  (09) 7725 8556

Useful links:
>> Act on Compensation for Crime Damage (1204/2005) - translation not yet available
>> Tort Liability Act (412/1974)
>> If you fall victim to crime (publication of the Ministry of Justice)
>>  Victim Suppor Finland
>>  Rape crisis centre Tukinainen (Women’s Support)
>>  Information on crime victims´ entitlement to compensation within the EU

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