The autonomous status of the islands was affirmed by a decision made by the
League of Nations in 1921 following the
Åland crisis. It was reaffirmed within the treaty admitting Finland to the
European Union. By law, Åland is politically neutral and entirely demilitarised, and residents are exempt from
conscription to the
Finnish Defence Forces. The islands were granted extensive autonomy by the
Parliament of Finland in the Act on the Autonomy of Åland of 1920, which was later replaced by new legislation by the same name in 1951 and
1991.
In connection with Finland's admission to the
European Union, a protocol was signed concerning the Åland Islands that stipulates, among other things, that provisions of the
European Community Treaty shall not force a change of the existing restrictions for foreigners (i.e., persons who do not enjoy "home region rights"
(hembygdsrätt) in Åland) to acquire and hold real property or to provide certain services, implying a recognition of a separate
nationality.