The Chief’s review

The Finnish security political environment has gone through fundamental, long-term changes. The Border Guard has carried its responsibility in maintaining Finland’s border and maritime security, while meeting the expectations of our political leaders and citizens.

The Border Guard has controlled the severe disruption at the eastern border and responded to security threats and situations that have arisen in the Finnish sea areas.

In the beginning of the year, the Border Guard immediately reacted to the wide groups of people illegally crossing the border and stopped them. Furthermore, in 2024, the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration was prepared. The Border Guard planned and maintained the readiness to implement the Act.

The threats materialised in the sea area in terms of the critical infrastructure. Several electricity and data cables along the Baltic Sea seabed were damaged during 2024. The Border Guard immediately detected the damages that had occurred in the Finnish exclusive economic zone, and the situation was taken care of in cooperation with other authorities. 

The increased cross-border traffic at the border crossing points at airports ran safely and smoothly. The Border Guard has the readiness to introduce the European Union’s Entry/Exit System EES, as well as the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) in accordance with EU’s shared schedule. 

In addition to domestic cooperation, the Border Guard’s international network has actively been used in all our duties. Close border and maritime security cooperation on EU and bilateral level, as well as in other international networks, has improved the results of our actions, in addition to our situation picture and preparedness for threats that arise in the operating environment. 

The Border Guard has continued to improve its strategical capacities.

Construction of the new offshore patrol vessels has proceeded, and the order contract concerning new surveillance aircraft was concluded in 2024. Construction of the eastern border fence could be accelerated within the allocated budget. Renewal of the main border control information system, the new powers and capacities in radio-technical monitoring, as well as the technical monitoring of the eastern border fence bring the Border Guard’s information and situation picture to a new level furthering the maintenance of border security. The Border Guard’s reliable and competent personnel who have excellent cooperation skills have enabled management of the situation and development of capacities.

Despite pressure and demands, the job satisfaction of the Border Guard increased.

According to a personnel survey, the Border Guard’s personnel is doing well and is committed. The Border Guard has continued to improve its competence, as well as exercises, especially concerning management of disruptions in border security and military defence capacities. The Border Guard’s personnel is more competent and better equipped than ever before in the Border Guard’s history. 

The trust in the Border Guard is strong, and, according to research, the Border Guard is the most trusted organisation among the public administration for fourth year in a row. We redeem that trust in our work every day. 

Chief of the Finnish Border Guard
Vice Admiral Markku Hassinen