Goals and results – credible control at the external borders

The objective of the Border Guard’s operations is an effective and credible border control at the external borders of Finland. The international operations of the Border Guard contribute to the safety and security of Finland as well as Europe.  

Five patrol boats are driving on the sea, photographed from above.

The Border Guard has a high level of readiness for management and taking action in all security missions at sea. The Finnish maritime search and rescue system includes resources to help those in need and prevent environmental damage.

Preparedness for crisis

Simultaneous threats to Border Guard’s field of duties have enhanced the importance of readiness and crisis resilience.

During 2024, the Border Guard improved the compilation of situation picture, as well as border surveillance and maritime security, in addition to increasing training related to military defence. With these actions, the Border Guard responds to the security threats resulting from illegal migration on the eastern border, in addition to security threats in the sea areas, as well as further develops its capacity to control and ensure territorial integrity. Threats to Border Guard’s field of duties have enhanced the importance of readiness and crisis resilience.

The Border Guard consistently continued to use its capacity, competence, material and powers to control the situation. The Border Guard furthered its strategic projects, and their progress was presented to both domestic and international media.

The emphasis of the Border Guard’s competence development and training was especially on control of border security disruptions and military defence capacity.

Development of maritime pollution response capacity continued in accordance with the national maritime pollution response strategy.

The Finnish Border Guard's patrol boat Uisko and EagleS on the open sea.

Impact and productivity

The societal impact of the Border Guard increased, despite of the changes in the operations and the disrupted cross-border traffic at the eastern border. Furthermore, productivity and economy improved compared to the previous year – the number of produced work performances increased more than number of man-years and total costs.

The Border Guard effectively utilised EU funding

The Border Guard applied for and was granted funding outside the budget from the European Union’s Border Management and Visa Instrument for the projects of EU Home Affairs Fund’s programme period. In order to cover the expenses of supporting measures in connection to the damage to Balticconnector gas pipe, as well as controlling the instrumentalised migration on the eastern border, the Border Guard applied for and was granted EU emergency funding. 

Deficits in core funding require rectification

Ensuring the Border Guard’s capacity in accordance with the Government program requires that the Border Guard’s core funding is further increased, as well as possible new openings, in addition to the ongoing strategic projects. These deficits result from previous adjustment measures, increased level of costs, as well as the increasing operating costs for the new capacities, for which no additional funding has yet been granted for 2025.

The law lays the foundation for operations and its development

The timeliness of regulations concerning the Border Guard is regularly followed. 

Powers of the Border Guard have been improved to meet the demands of the security environment. The Border Guard also participated in the preparation of comprehensive reform of the Emergency Powers Act in 2024.

Reputation and publicity – open communication creates trust

The trust of citizens was gained through open communication. 

Command of the Finnish Border Guard approved the communication development project, and its implementation was commenced. Communication cooperation among the state administration is continuous and fluent. Especially the operative cooperation between the Police, the Customs and the Border Guard has gained publicity in the media.

As the eastern border is closed, the communication focused on maritime duties, both search and rescue and maritime pollution response. Our communication in relation to the cable damages received wide interest.

For the fourth year in a row, the Border Guard was the most trustworthy organisation within the public administration according to the Luottamus&Maine (Trust&Reputation) research. 

In December, the Border Guard identified and the authorities together stopped the Eagle S vessel. Seamless cooperation enabled us to stop the vessel and immediately intervene in the caused damages.