The decorations of the Order of the Cross of Liberty are conferred upon citizens for military merits, activities in support of the Finnish Defence Forces and national defence, voluntary work in national defence and activities strengthening the external security of our country, for example, in international crisis management.

A decoration of the Order of the Cross of Liberty can also be conferred upon a foreign national. A decoration can be awarded to brigade-level units of the Finnish Defence Forces and Finnish institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for war-time merits in activities in support of national defence and post-war merits honoured alongside them.

Proposals for the conferral of a decoration are usually made by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and public administration organisations, but the parties eligible to make proposals have not been separately determined or limited.

The main rule in awarding a decoration is that at least seven years must have passed from the previous Finnish decoration received by the person concerned.

The Grand Master of the Order of the Cross of Liberty is the President of the Republic, who has an exclusive right to decide on the conferral of the decorations.

The Grand Master of the Order is assisted by the Chapter of the Order, which prepares the proposals for awarding decorations to be decided by the Grand Master. The members of the Chapter of the Order are Chancellor, General (retired) Ari Puheloinen; Vice Chancellor, Lieutenant General (retired) Sakari Honkamaa; Secretary, Lieutenant General (retired) Eero Pöytsiä and Treasurer, Rear Admiral (retired) Timo Junttila.

The clerical staff of the Order consists of Liaison Officer, Major Markus Lahti and Chancery Clerk Eija Raihila. The Chancery of the Order is located in connection with the Defence Command.

Decorations are usually awarded in connection with the Flag Day of the Defence Forces (4 June) and Finland’s Independence Day, but also at other times where necessary.