COVID-19
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Internal border traffic, or traffic crossing the internal border, refers to traffic crossing the border between Finland and another state that is a member of the Schengen area. The Schengen countries include Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Spain, and of the non-EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
External border traffic, or traffic crossing the external border, refers to traffic between Finland and a state that does not belong to the Schengen area. To traffic crossing the border between Finland and another state, the guidelines concerning border crossing apply, if the other state does not belong to the Schengen area. This also applies to non-Schengen EU member States. Of the EU member states, Bulgaria, Ireland, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania are not part of the Schengen area. Neither is the United Kingdom part of the Schengen area.
Updated 15.12.2020 at 16.28 -
For external border traffic and to the extent that internal border controls have been restored, the transit on regularly scheduled routes is permitted. As a rule, during the transit journey, a person must remain in the transit area of the airport, but in isolated cases, a person may also be permitted to enter the country for the purpose of the transit referred to above. For example, a person may take lodging in a hotel near the airport especially if the waiting time at the airport would prove to be lengthy. Such situations include unreasonable waiting times resulting from a cancelled connecting flight.
Destination countries may also require passengers to take a coronavirus test at transit airports. Waiting for the test and the test results is not as such a ground for allowing entry during transit.
Updated 15.12.2020 at 17.37 -
To the extent that internal border controls have been restored, or to the extent that there are restriction on external border traffic, leisure travel (for example, visiting the cottage of an acquaintance) is not an essential reason for a foreign citizen to come to Finland.
Updated 15.12.2020 at 17.29 -
Receiving insurance compensation for a cancelled or interrupted journey is a matter between the customer and their insurance company. The Border Guard does not take a stand on insurance compensation matters or issue certificates related to the matter. Basic information on travel insurance can be found on the Finnish Financial Ombudsman Bureau website.
Updated 15.12.2020 at 17.35 -
If you have a residence permit issued by Finland, you can enter the country through internal and external borders. The residence permit card must be presented at the border check.
Updated 15.12.2020 at 17.30 -
Finnish citizens must have the required travel documents when leaving the country.
Foreign citizens must have the required travel documents and, if necessary, the required visa or a residence permit.
However, travel documents that deviate from those required earlier are not needed for crossing an internal border. Further information on travel documents is available here:
Further information on travel documents
Updated 15.12.2020 at 17.33 -
Internal border controls have been lifted on travel by pleasure craft between Schengen countries, including pleasure craft travel between Finland and Sweden. This means that it is not necessary to pass through border controls when using a pleasure boat. In addition to the seas area, it is also possible to enter the country on a recreational boat at the river border between Finland and Sweden (the rivers Tornionjoki and Muonionjoki).
Updated 16.12.2020 at 10.30 -
Cruise ships are allowed to visit seaports without passenger disembarkation.
Updated 16.12.2020 at 10.32 -
The Finnish Border Guard does not grant advance permits for entry to Finland. Decisions on permitting entry are always made in connection with border checks.
Updated 15.12.2020 at 17.32 -
The constitutional right to enter and leave the country also applies to you. If you do not have a passport or driving licence, Finnish citizenship can be proven, for example, by some other document granted by a Finnish authority or by a Finnish identity number.
Updated 15.12.2020 at 16.14
COVID-19 - Border traffic turned to normal
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The entry of residents of Australia, Rwanda, Thailand, Singapore and New Zealand into Finland, when arriving from abovementioned countries, is unrestricted while taking into account the provisions on the entry of foreign nationals into Finland. With regard to China, the Council of the European Union establishes that there is sufficient reciprocity.
In principle, a person travelling with a passport issued by one of these countries can be assumed to live in that country. As the place of departure for a third-country national must be determined in connection with the border check, questions may also be asked during the border check in order to determine the country of residence. As a rule, authorities assume that the traveller’s own notification of their country of residence is correct.
If necessary, place of residence can be confirmed by presenting, for example, an ID or driving licence issued by the third country in question or another document demonstrating residence. In addition, residence and work permits of the countries concerned indicate a person’s residence in those countries. Other official documents that confirm residence may also be used to prove residence in the said country.
Entry into Finland from these countries for persons other than those living in these countries is permitted under the same restrictions as under restriction category 2.
Updated 16.12.2020 at 10.33 -
This section applies to:
- Internal border traffic to Finland from countries for which internal border controls has been lifted: travel by pleasure craft between the Schengen countries.
- External border traffic to Finland from countries for which external border traffic restrictions have been lifted: the Vatican
- External border traffic between Finland and Australia, New Zealand, Rwanda and Thailand for the residents of these countries, when arriving to Finland from their country of residence.
Updated 15.12.2020 at 16.25
COVID-19 - Restriction category 1
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This section applies to:
- Internal border traffic to Finland from countries to which internal border controls are still applied: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Lithuania, Latvia, Liechtenstein and Poland.
- External border traffic between Finland and Andorra, Bulgaria, Ireland, Croatia, Romania, San Marino, Cyprus and Monaco.
Updated 8.1.2021 at 13.26 -
Under restriction category 1, a student approved to study at a Finnish educational institution may enter Finland. Students may also enter Finland with a residence permit issued by Finland.
Updated 16.12.2020 at 10.40 -
Traffic between local border communities on the land border between Finland and Sweden and Finland and Norway is permitted.
Border communities in Sweden are the municipalities of Haparanda, Övertorneå, Pajala, and Kiruna, in Norway the municipalities of Storfjord, Kåfjord, Nordreisa, Kautokeino, Kaarasjok, Tana, Nesseby, and Sør-Varanger, and in Finland Tornio, Ylitornio, Pello, Kolari, Muonio, Enontekiö, Inari, and Utsjoki.
A border community is based on municipalities and defined as opposite municipalities located on the opposite sides of the national border with border-crossing traffic between them. Persons crossing the border are required to present the normal travel documents and must be able to prove their identity. In traffic between Nordic countries, it is sufficient for Nordic citizens to be able to prove their identity in some way. As a rule, travellers are required to show that they are members of a border community, based on their place of residence. If necessary, border inspectors may ask the passenger further questions in order to ensure this.
Updated 16.12.2020 at 10.35 -
A person may enter Finland for an essential personal reason under restriction category 1. An essential personal reason should involve a task or event that requires one to be physically present, which cannot tolerate delay, and which, if left undone, would cause undue harm within the context in question. Vital personal reasons are assessed on a case-by-case basis in connection with the border check.
Updated 16.12.2020 at 10.41 -
Under restriction category 1, it is possible to enter Finland based on relationship. In practice, a relationship refers to a romantic relationship. Relationship refers to a marriage or people living continuously in a marriage-like relationship within the same household regardless of their sex. In this case, it is not mandatory that the couple has lived together continuously for two years. Additionally, relationships between people who live in different countries (“long-distance relationships”) are accepted. Fundamentally, border inspectors trust the words of travellers. More detailed information may be inquired in isolated cases.
The regulations for entering Finland on a basis of a dating relationship apply to partners of Finnish citizens and to partners of EU/Schengen citizens residing in Finland and their family members as well as partners of third-country nationals residing in Finland with a residence permit. A dependent of a person who is entering the country on the basis of a dating relationship may also enter Finland.
Updated 16.12.2020 at 10.38 -
A mobile home is not in their original sense a property, residence or secondary residence, which means that, as a rule, ownership of a mobile home is not a sufficient reason for entry to the country. However, the above guidelines on rental housing can be applied on a case-by-case basis - If the person is able to demonstrate the long-term use of a mobile home at the same campsite, and the mobile home is used in the same manner as a holiday or leisure residence (fixed terrace and shelter structures, etc.), and the person needs to check the condition of their property, entry to the country may be allowed.
Updated 16.12.2020 at 10.44 -
A person who owns a property, home or secondary home in Finland may enter Finland under restriction category 1. The family of the owner may also arrive. In such a case, the family refers to the spouse, the cohabiting partner and the children of the owner and their families. The long-term leasing (a lease of over one year where the start date of the lease was prior to the reinstatement of internal border control March 2020) of a property, residence or secondary residence is considered equivalent to ownership.
Updated 16.12.2020 at 10.43 -
Work related travel based on an employment relationship or assignment is permitted under restriction category 1.
The purpose and requirements of a work trip based on employment relationship or assignment are determined during the border check. During border checks, the person on a work trip may be asked to present documents to verify that the entry requirements are fulfilled. Such documents may in particular relate to information on the employment relationship and assignment. The entry as foreign seasonal labour is permitted in the same way as work related travel.
Updated 15.12.2020 at 17.28 -
Under restriction category 1, it is possible to enter Finland in other family matters. Such matters include, for example, funerals, weddings, or illness.
Updated 16.12.2020 at 10.39 -
Under restriction category 1, it is possible to enter Finland for family matters.
Persons travelling to meet a relative living in Finland are categorized as persons travelling for family matters. A relative refers to a spouse, children, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, siblings, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, uncles, aunts and cousins including family members (spouse and children) of the aforementioned. Fundamentally, border inspectors trust the words of travellers.
For the purpose of meeting a relative living in Finland, the entry into the country is applied not only to the relatives of Finnish citizens who live in Finland but also to the relatives of EU/Schengen citizens and their family members residing in Finland and to the relatives of third-country nationals residing in Finland with a residence permit.
Updated 16.12.2020 at 10.36 -
No, you can't. Returning traffic to the EU citizen's home country is allowed through Finland.
Updated 31.12.2020 at 13.58
COVID-19 - Restriction category 2
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Under restriction category 2, other essential reason refers particularly to work that is important for the functioning of society or security of supply, requires work tasks to be carried out by a person from another country, and cannot tolerate delay.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has overseen the process of defining the types of work that are important for the functioning of society or security of supply and cannot tolerate delay. This list of critical tasks does not constitute an advance decision granting entry into the country. The employer must use a separate form to justify why the work of the employee coming to Finland is critical and cannot tolerate delay.
The Employer fills in the form entitled ‘Employer's explanation of the employee’s need to enter the country during the state of emergency’ and gives it to the employee. In addition to the other documents required for border crossing, the employee seeking to enter Finland presents this form at the border check.
The border control authority will take into account the list of critical tasks and the employer's explanation when assessing a necessary reason for entry.
List of critical tasks (tem.fi)
Updated 16.12.2020 at 10.50 -
Under restriction category 2, it is possible to enter Finland based on relationship.
Relationship refers to a marriage or people living continuously in a marriage-like relationship within the same household regardless of their sex. In this case, it is not mandatory that the couple has lived together continuously for two years. Additionally, relationships between people who live in different countries (“long-distance relationships”) are accepted, as are other committed ways of being together.
Fundamentally, border inspectors trust the words of travelers. More detailed information may be inquired in isolated cases. The regulations for entering Finland on a basis of a dating relationship apply to partners of Finnish citizens and to partners of EU/Schengen citizens residing in Finland and their family members as well as partners of third-country nationals residing in Finland with a residence permit. A dependent of a person who is entering the country on the basis of a dating relationship may also enter Finland.
Updated 15.12.2020 at 10.06 -
Entry to Finland may be permitted for special groups, such as representatives of culture, sports and business life if entry is justifiable for those persons or groups of persons. These kind of tasks include activities essential for ensuring the revitalisation, new growth or long-term operating conditions for a field of activity.
Applications relating to special groups should be sent by email directly to the Finnish Border Guard ([email protected]). The application is made by the party extending the invitation.
The applications must include justification regarding the national significance of the activities and the reasons why other procedures cannot be observed as well as the procedures that will be used to ensure the implementation of health security. The employer or other such party inviting the person or persons to enter the country must present them with a health security action plan that complies with the national instructions.
The employer or other such party inviting the person or persons to enter the country must be able to present a health security action plan that complies with the national instructions for them.
If the health security measures are at least in accordance with currently valid national recommendations from the health authorities, the application does not require a separate statement from the health authorities on these measures. In cases where the health security measures presented in the application contain deviations from the current recommendations or an application is otherwise different (e.g. a large group size or several separate groups), a separate statement from the local infectious disease authority (municipality or hospital district) must be included in the application.
The applications are sent from the Finnish Border Guard to the relevant government ministries and, if necessary, also the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, who then issue a statement on them. After receiving the statement, the Finnish Border Guard will prepare a policy concerning the necessity of entry to Finland and inform the applicant of that policy. However, the final decision on entry to the country is made during the border check.
e border check.
Updated 15.12.2020 at 9.48 -
Under restriction category 2, it is possible to enter Finland for a compulsory personal reason. A compulsory personal reason should involve a compulsory or unpredictable cause which requires personal attendance, which cannot tolerate delay, and which would cause undue harm within the context in question if the person concerned would not tend to it. Compulsory personal reasons are assessed on a case-by-case basis in connection with the border check. A dependent of a person who is entering the country on the basis of a dating relationship may also enter Finland.
A pressing personal reason in restriction class 2 may also be the arrival of a person who owns property in Finland if that person is entering the country for the purpose of essential maintenance work on the property, or measures related to maintenance that cannot be delayed, and if the failure of the person to come would lead to significant damage to the property considering the circumstances.
Updated 15.12.2020 at 9.59 -
Under restriction category 2, it is possible to enter Finland in order to handle compulsory family matters. These include the birth of one’s own child, a serious illness of a close relative, or one's own wedding.
Updated 15.12.2020 at 10.09