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Questions and answers on gambling system reform General information on the gambling system reform Why switch over to a licensing system and retain a partial monopoly system instead of, for example, strengthening the current system based on the Vei...

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...

26.5.2026 | The Finnish Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project to extend the validity of the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration (‘Border Security Act’). The purpose of the act is to respond to efforts to put pressure on Finland through the instrumentalisation of migrants. 

Mass influx of migrants and preparedness The Migration Department of the Ministry of the Interior directs and coordinates preparations for a mass influx of migrants and the measures needed to respond. A mass influx of migrants is a situation in wh...

Frequently asked questions about criminal intelligence legislation Why are the intelligence collection powers of the police being strengthened? One of the key objectives of the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government is to step up th...

18.6.2025 | The validity of the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration (‘Border Security Act’) will be extended until 31 December 2026. The purpose of the act is to prevent efforts to put pressure on Finland through the instrumentalisation of migrants. The Government submitted the relevant amendments for approval on 18 June. The President of the Republic is scheduled to approve the amendments on 27 June, and they will enter into force on 1 July.

31.3.2026 | The authorities and the state leadership are monitoring changes in the security situation, assessing future risks and ensuring that our society continues to function in all circumstances. Finland is not currently facing a military threat. 

27.3.2025 | The Finnish Government proposes to extend the validity of the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration (‘Border Security Act’) until 31 December 2026. The purpose of the act is to prevent efforts to put pressure on Finland through the instrumentalisation of migrants. The Government submitted a proposal on the matter to Parliament on 27 March. 

13.2.2025 | The Finnish Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a government proposal to extend the validity of the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration ('Border Security Act') until 31 December 2026. The purpose of the act is to respond to efforts to put pressure on Finland through the instrumentalisation of migrants.

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.

2.6.2022 | The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread. To safeguard the capacity of the healthcare system, restrictions on external border traffic will continue until 30 June. The Government decided to extend the existing restrictions at its session on 2 June.

5.5.2022 | The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread. To safeguard the capacity of the healthcare system, restrictions on external border traffic will continue until 5 June. The Government decided to extend the existing restrictions at its session on 5 May.

7.4.2022 | The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread. To safeguard the capacity of the healthcare system, restrictions on external border traffic will continue until 8 May. The Government decided to extend the restrictions at its session on 7 April and they will enter into force on 11 April. 

10.2.2022 | The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread. To safeguard the capacity of the healthcare system, restrictions on external border traffic will continue until 13.3. Some exemptions will however be made. The Government decided on these changes at its session on 10.2. and they will enter into force on 15.2. 

12.12.2023 | Finland will continue restrictions at the eastern border. The border crossing points will remain closed, with the exception of the border crossing points of Vaalimaa and Niirala, which will be opened for traffic on Thursday 14 December. The Government will close the entire eastern border again if instrumentalised migration at the eastern border continues.

14.11.2023 | The Government parties agreed that the Ministry of the Interior will present a proposal to a government session on adopting restrictions in accordance with section 16 of the Border Guard Act.

27.1.2022 | Internal border control, which was reinstated for traffic between Finland and all Schengen countries at the end of December, will end on 31 January. In contrast, restrictions on external border traffic will continue until 14 February. The Government adopted a decision on the restrictions on external border traffic on 27 January and the decision will enter into force on 1 February.

10.7.2020 | On 10 July, the Government decided on the continuation of internal border control and on the restrictions on external border traffic. As of 13 July 2020, the Government will lift the restrictions on traffic at the internal borders between Finland and countries where the incidence of the coronavirus is similar to that in the countries where internal border control has already been lifted.

12.6.2020 | On 12 June, the Government decided that border control will continue partially at internal borders and external border traffic will continue to be restricted until 14 July 2020. The restrictions will continue to the extent that they are considered mandatory due to a serious threat posed by the epidemiological situation.

23.7.2020 | In its meeting on 23 July, the Government decided to reinstate internal border control for traffic between Finland and Austria, Slovenia and Switzerland. These countries have seen an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections since the previous assessment. The reinstated restrictions will enter into force on Monday 27 July.