On 21 March 1919, when Finland had become independent, the Government made the decision ordering the surveillance of the border to be assigned to military-organised border guard troops under the Ministry f the Interior. The Border Guard developed its current form after the wars when the Coast Guard was joined and surveillance was also started at Finland's western and northern borders. The Border Guard has continuously developed its composition in the way that its tasks and surroundings require.

The Finnish Border Guard is proud of its history, and cherishes the traditions of, for example, museum activities and by cooperating with guilds. Museum activities have been significantly linked to heritage activities, which have largely focused on the activities of wartime border troops or other events of recent wars. Heritage activities are carried out by the Border and Coast Guard Heritage Association and guilds related to the Finnish Border Guard's activities.

Discover the history of the Finnish Border Guard