No restrictions on external border traffic as of 1 July

Restrictions on entry at Finland’s external borders imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic will end. As of 1 July, third-country travellers arriving in Finland will no longer be required to hold vaccination or COVID-19 test certificates, and COVID-19 tests will not be carried out at border crossing points. Health authorities have judged that no health grounds remain for restrictions at external borders.

Border checks will return to pre-pandemic procedures. Travellers arriving from non-EU and non-Schengen countries must still have normal travel documents, i.e. a passport and, if necessary, a visa.

The lifting of restrictions is expected to increase traffic from third countries. Traffic may increase at the eastern border, for example.  Traffic volumes will depend, among other things, on the desire of Russians to travel and on the number of visas in force. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs issues visas to visit Finland. 

Restrictions on border traffic that may be imposed by Russia after 30 June are not currently known. The Russian authorities will provide detailed information on such restrictions.

The Finnish Border Guard will continue to monitor events related to border security together with national and international partners. Visa procedures and border checks help ensure safety and security. The Finnish authorities have a good general understanding of the people entering the country and the purpose of their entry.

Internal border control already ended at the beginning of the year.

Inquiries:
Colonel Tuomas Laosmaa, Head of Unit, tel. +358 295 421 000 (switchboard), [email protected] 
Jukka Vornanen, Special Adviser to Minister Mikkonen, tel. +358 40 593 6791, [email protected]

The press release was revised on 27 June. The date of expiry of the restrictions was changed (30 June > as of 1 July).