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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...

Border management The Ministry of the Interior drafts legislation on border management and maritime search and rescue, and is responsible for the performance management of the Border Guard. The Border Guard is responsible for border surveillance a...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Interoperability

EU migration and asylum system The new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum will help the EU improve the control of its external borders and increase the efficiency of asylum and return procedures. At the same time, the rights of asylum seekers will be...

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...

Oversight of legality at agencies within the Ministry’s branch of government The agencies within the Ministry of the Interior’s branch of government bear the main responsibility for practical oversight activities and the handling of matters relate...

Flying the EU flag Displaying the flag of the European Union has become common in Finland in recent years. There are no national provisions concerning its use though the Ministry of the Interior recommends that it should be flown alongside the Fin...

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...

Finnish migration policy is based on Government objectives, EU legislation and international agreements

Whistleblower protection Whistleblower protection safeguards people who report certain types of misconduct. In this case, a ‘whistleblower’ is a person who, in the course of their work, discovers a breach of European Union or national law concerni...

Police agencies and responsibilities Police agencies include the National Police Board, local police departments, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Police University College. The National Police Board directs the activities of the polic...

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. 

4.6.2026 | The Government has renewed its decision on the closure of border crossing points on the eastern border. On 4 June 2026, the Government decided that the border crossing points on the eastern border would remain closed and the submission of applications for international protection would continue to be centralised. The decision will remain in force until further notice.

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.

2.9.2025 | Finland, together with Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, has published a letter to the European Commission stressing the need to develop drone and anti-drone capabilities for border control in the countries on the EU’s external border and to secure the funding for this.

20.3.2026 | Finland will receive EUR 17 million from the European Union to strengthen the surveillance of the eastern border and the Gulf of Finland and improve Finland's ability to maintain an up-to-date picture of the situation. With support from the EU Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (BMVI), the Finnish Border Guard will acquire unmanned surveillance systems that are resistant to interference with satellite positioning systems (GNSS disruptions).