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The Finnish Border Guard is responsible for border management The main duties of the Border Guard are: surveillance of the country’s land and maritime borders conducting of border checks on persons at airports, land border crossings and ports carr...

Border management operators and responsibilities Responsibility for performing the duties of the Border Guard rests with nine administrative units. These units are the Border Guard Headquarters (which also operates as the Ministry’s Border Guard D...

Smart Borders Package improves EU border management The EU has adopted a Smart Borders Package, which is to be introduced in 2025-2026. The Smart Borders Package aims to: facilitate border checks improve internal security by, for example, stronger...

Small ministry, large branch of government The National Police Board and the Finnish Immigration Service operate under the Ministry of the Interior. The agencies provide guidance within their scope of activities. The Finnish Border Guard is respon...

Activities of the Ministry of the Interior’s branch of government in the war in Ukraine As part of the European Union, Finland is doing its part for Ukraine with respect to the impacts of Russia’s war of aggression. In particular, we want to prote...

Departments and units Police Department The Police Department deals with matters concerning the police administration under the National Police Board, combating crime, public order and security, licencing, firearms, gambling policy, the private se...

The Ministry of the Interior is responsible for the preparation of migration policy and legislation

Frequently asked questions about the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war Russia attacked Ukraine on 24 February 2022 and launched a full-scale war. This page contains frequently asked questions about the consequences of the war in Ukraine. Entry into...

Interoperability

8.4.2026 | The Ministry of the Interior will allocate around EUR 44 million in EU funding to projects on border management, crime prevention and migration. The projects will improve the capabilities of security authorities, develop information systems, and secure resources for the authorities to manage migration. The funding will be granted from the EU Home Affairs Funds, under the autumn 2025 call for proposals.

Helping Ukrainians People in Finland want to help Ukrainians in their time of need, and many have been asking the Finnish authorities how they can help Ukrainians. People are also asking how they can help Ukraine’s neighbouring countries who are u...

9.12.2025 | The Government proposes improvements to the Finnish Border Guard's preparedness and its ability to respond to the requirements of the changed security and operating environment. The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a government proposal for an act amending the Border Guard Act and certain related acts.

19.12.2024 | The European Commission proposes a new EU Digital Travel application for travellers to create and store their digital travel credentials, among other things. The Government informed Parliament of the Commission's proposals by submitting a Union communication on 19 December. 

28.8.2025 | The EU’s new Entry/Exit System will be gradually introduced across EU countries starting on 12 October 2025. On 28 August, the Government issued a decree to bring the national legislation related to the system into force. The decree will enter into force on 12 October 2025.

13.2.2025 | The EU will not ask the Member States to immediately start full operation of the Entry/Exit System (EES). The Commission has drafted a proposal for a regulation that would allow for a progressive start of the system that has been in preparation for a long time. The Government informed Parliament of the Commission's proposal by submitting a Union communication on 13 February.

6.7.2023 | The Border Guard will enhance border security at Finland's external and internal borders on 8–15 July. The Government made a decision on the matter on 6 July 2023.

20.6.2022 | 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.

7.4.2020 | On 7 April, the Government adopted decisions concerning Finland’s internal and external borders. Based on the decisions, restrictions on border traffic and the quarantine rules will be tightened and continued until 13 May. The aim is to slow the spread of the coronavirus epidemic.

8.7.2021 | The Government has decided to continue internal border control until 25 July to ensure the introduction of health security measures at borders. After this short transitional period, internal border control and entry restrictions at internal borders will be lifted. Internal border traffic refers to traffic between Finland and other Schengen countries. Changes will be made to external border control as well.

20.12.2022 | The President of the Republic approved supplementary legislation on the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) on 20 December. The supplementary legislation amends the national legislation as required by the relevant European Parliament and Council regulations.