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Illegal entry and stay are prevented through cooperation between authorities Illegal entry and stay remain low in Finland when compared with all migration to Finland. Most people move legally to Finland on the basis of work, family ties or studies...

9.7.2026 | The Ministry of the Interior has launched a project to prepare the legislative amendments required for the national implementation of the EU Return Regulation.

Migration The Ministry of the Interior is responsible for drafting legislation on migration. It also guides and develops the immigration administration, and is responsible for the performance management of the Finnish Immigration Service. The aim ...

Situation at the eastern border The border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia have been closed since 15 December 2023. The border crossing points for maritime traffic at Haapasaari, the port of Nuijamaa and Santio have b...

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...

Frontex coordinates cooperation between European border Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, coordinates joint operations between European border authorities. EU Member States, countries in the Schengen area and countries outside t...

Interoperability

10.4.2026 | Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen is currently visiting Türkiye to meet with the Turkish Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi. Topics on the ministers’ agenda include the effects of the situation in the Middle East on migration as well as counterterrorism and police cooperation.

5.3.2026 | The EU home affairs ministers will gather in Brussels on 5 March for a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. The agenda includes the state of the Schengen area and partnerships with third countries concerning migration. Finland will be represented at the meeting by Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen, who will underline the importance of preventing illegal entry and stay.

15.2.2026 | Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen is currently visiting Iraq, where she will meet the Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Minister of the Interior Abdul Amir al-Shammari and other leaders of the country’s government. The purpose of the meetings is to strengthen the bilateral relations between Finland and Iraq in the internal security sector and to promote cooperation in questions concerning returns.

17.12.2025 | Finland, together with Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden, has published a letter to the European Commission calling for new and innovative solutions to counter and prevent irregular migration to Europe.

30.9.2025 | Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen will chair the ministerial meeting of the Nordic cooperation group on migration and asylum (NSHF) in Helsinki on 30 September and 1 October. At the meeting, the Nordic ministers responsible for migration will discuss current migration issues.

9.6.2026 | Legislative amendments to the Aliens Act will make the provisions on removal from the country and entry bans more effective. The enforcement of deportation decisions will be expedited. In addition, an entry ban may in future be imposed in advance if a person is considered a serious danger to security. The President of the Republic approved the amendments on Tuesday 9 June. They will enter into force on 12 June.

4.6.2026 | EU home affairs ministers will gather in Luxembourg on 4 June for a meeting of the Home Affairs Council. The topics on the agenda include the temporary protection of people fleeing the war in Ukraine, EU cooperation with Somalia in promoting readmission, and the situation in the Middle East. Finland will be represented at the meeting by Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

14.10.2025 | The EU home affairs ministers will gather in Luxembourg on 14 October. The topics on their agenda include the development of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex and the reform of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Finland will be represented at the meeting by Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen. 

9.6.2026 | The EU’s new Pact on Migration and Asylum will improve the control of the EU’s external borders and increase the efficiency of asylum and return procedures. The Government proposed that the President of the Republic approve the relevant bills for acts on Tuesday 9 June. The acts will enter into force on 12 June.

3.4.2025 | Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen is visiting Greece this week to meet with the Greek ministers relevant to her area of responsibility. The main themes of the visit are migration, border security and preparedness.

31.3.2025 | Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen will attend the Border Security Summit in London on 31 March. The ministerial summit will focus on crime related to people smuggling and organised immigration crime. The aim is to identify the best ways to combat these phenomena.

22.12.2025 | The Ministry of the Interior has circulated for comment the draft government proposal on the national legislative amendments that relate to the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. The deadline for comments is 2 February 2026.

16.4.2026 | The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum establishes a common EU system to strengthen external border control, ensure effective identification of third-country nationals and enhance procedures for asylum and return. The Pact will be implemented in Finland through a series of national legislative amendments. The Government submitted a proposal on these amendments to Parliament on 16 April.