Changes in the Finnish Border Guard’s organisation in Southeast Finland and North Karelia

A significant organisational change will be carried out in the Southeast Finland Border Guard District and in the North Karelia Border Guard District with effect from 1 June 2025. The border control stations within these border guard districts shall be joined with the border guard stations on administrational level.

The border traffic at the eastern border has nearly come to a halt since December 2023. As a result from the changes in the operating environment, the Finnish Border Guard carries out an organisational change concerning the Southeast Finland Border Guard District and the North Karelia Border Guard District, in order that the structure of the border guard district corresponds better to their current operations. 

The changes in the organisations will come to effect on 1 June 2025. The Southeast Finland Border Guard District consists of five border guard stations: Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Vainikkala, Imatra and Kolmikanta. The North Karelia Border Guard District consists of three border guard stations: Tohmajärvi, Ilomantsi and Lieksa. Independent border control stations will no longer operate within the said border guard districts.

The change in the organisation increases the flexible use of resources in the current border security situation. This is mainly an administrative change and does not affect the personnel resources. The current personnel will continue their work despite the change.

The stations within the border guard districts will maintain their ability to rapidly reopen the closed border crossing points, should the situation require it.