Aging Population: DVV Navigated the 'Gray Tsunami'

Finland is experiencing a notable surge in individuals seeking authorization to act as guardians for others, a trend the Digital and Population Data Service Agency (DVV) calls a "gray tsunami." Applications for confirming guardianship authorizations have increased by over 15% in 2025 compared to 2024, with 13,859 cases initiated.

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The processing times for confirming guardianship authorizations became very long in 2025. However, they have been significantly shortened this year, even though confirmations are still being sought continuously.

This rise is largely attributed to Finland's aging population and increased life expectancy. As more people live longer, the need for legal arrangements to manage their affairs should they become incapacitated grows. The DVV aims to process these authorizations within 80 days, but the increased volume has led to delays, with average processing times stretching to 101 days in 2025, though improvements have been made this year, with July's average at 62 days.

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Of course, it was frustrating, worrying, and annoying.

The extended waiting periods have caused significant difficulties for families. Sirpa Peura shared her experience waiting two and a half months to get authorization to manage her father's affairs after his Alzheimer's diagnosis. During this time, her father's phone was locked, and she could not access it to pay bills without the official authorization. Similarly, Jukka Lappeteläinen is waiting to be authorized as his mother's guardian, whose finances are currently stalled. While Lappeteläinen has some access to his mother's bank account, he finds the situation "a bit pathetic" given that all preparations were made in advance.

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This is still a bit pathetic. We did everything in advance as we should, so the matter should be a rubber-stamping issue.