Finland to introduce new border procedure – asylum applications can be processed near the border

A new border procedure will be added to Finnish legislation. The procedure will allow asylum applications submitted by persons who have already arrived in the country to be processed near the border if certain preconditions are met. These are different provisions from the border security act that is currently being discussed by Parliament.

The new border procedure, which is in accordance with the EU Asylum Procedures Directive, will be included in the Finnish Aliens Act. On 27 June, the Government proposed that these amendments to the Aliens Act be approved. The President of the Republic is scheduled to approve the amendments on Friday. The Act will enter into force on 1 September 2024.

The purpose of the border procedure is to enhance the examination of unfounded applications and the return of applicants whose application has been rejected. In addition, this will prevent secondary movements of asylum seekers to other EU countries. The border procedure is used in all migration situations.

The border procedure can be applied to asylum applications that are lodged at or in the vicinity of the EU external border and that are likely to be unfounded. In addition to the eastern border, Finland's external borders include international airports, for example.

In a normal asylum procedure, asylum seekers have the right to move freely within Finland. In the border procedure, applicants must stay at or near the border during the processing of the application. In practice, asylum seekers must stay on the grounds of the reception centre assigned to them.

Accelerated procedure can speed up return of rejected asylum applicants

The legislative amendments will also enable faster removal from the country. The accelerated procedure means that rejected asylum applicants can be returned more swiftly than in the normal asylum procedure. The aim is to speed up, for example, the return of persons considered a threat to national security and the removal from the country of applicants who have submitted a subsequent application.

Inquiries:
Eeva-Maija Leivo, Senior Specialist, firstname.lastname@gov.fi 
Sanna Montin, Chief Specialist, firstname.lastname@gov.fi