Circular Note, 11 February 2022: Border traffic restrictions at the internal and external Schengen borders of Finland as from 15 February 2022

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs present their compliments to the Diplomatic Missions, Consular Posts and International Organizations accredited to Helsinki and, with reference to the Ministry´s earlier Circular Notes on border traffic at the internal and external Schengen borders of Finland, have the honour to inform the Missions of the following updates.

Internal border control, which was reinstated for traffic between Finland and all Schengen countries, ended on 31 January. Entry restrictions for non-Schengen EU countries were also lifted entirely as of 1 February due to the end of internal border control.

As to external border control, restrictions on entry will continue until 13 March 2022. As from 15 February, the restrictions will, however, be amended so that people arriving from outside the EU and the Schengen area will no longer be required to show a negative COVID-19 test result in addition to a full course of vaccination. However, a valid certificate of a full course of vaccination or proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the past six months is still required as a prerequisite for entry, apart from a few exceptions. This requirement applies to those born in 2006 or earlier.

The Border Guard will not require the above-mentioned certificates as a prerequisite for entry from the following groups of persons arriving in Finland from third countries: Finnish citizens, foreign nationals residing permanently in Finland, or persons who have an essential reason for entry, such as compelling family matters or another compelling personal reason.

Entry into the country will continue to be permitted without restrictions for residents of the countries and regions on the EU’s green list. Countries on the green list mean countries with a sufficiently good epidemiological situation for which the Council of the European Union has decided to allow free travel to the EU.

However, all passengers arriving in Finland are required to comply with the decisions made by the Regional State Administrative Agencies on compulsory health examinations and to present the required certificates as laid down in the Communicable Diseases Act.

All passengers arriving in Finland must have one of these certificates: a vaccination certificate, a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 or a negative test certificate (issued less than 72 hours prior to entry). Passengers who do not have any of the above-mentioned certificates may be directed to a COVID-19 test. With certain exceptions, the requirements apply to all those born in 2006 or earlier.

Additional information on the recent Government decision is available at  Press release(Link to another website.)

Further information on what is considered allowed traffic by each group of country and type of arrival as well on the opening hours of the border crossing points is available at Guidelines for Border Traffic(Link to another website.)

The Finnish Border Guard gives advice on cross-border traffic by phone and email. The service is available in Finnish, Swedish and English on weekdays between 8.00 and 16.00 at +358 295 420 100. Questions can also be sent by email to rajavartiolaitos@raja.fi

Information on health security measures for travellers is available on the website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare at Travelling and the Pandemic(Link to another website.) as well as a list of Accepted Vaccines(Link to another website.).  Government COVID-19 helpline at +358 295 535 535 is also available for questions about approved vaccines, quarantine or testing requirements.

Missions are advised to follow the websites of the relevant authorities for possible updates on applicable border control and health security measures at the Finnish borders.

Employees of foreign government missions or members of international intergovernmental organisations and their family members, who have personal immunity, as well as holders of diplomatic or official passports accredited outside Finland when travelling through Finland to a place of employment or their home country continue to be exempt from the obligation to present a certificate at arrival or to take a coronavirus test in Finland.

Further information on the current recommendations and restrictions in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area is available at Metropolitan Area recommendations(Link to another website.)

Additional information on the COVID-19 passport and general restrictions is available at COVID-19 Certificate(Link to another website.) and at Frequently asked questions(Link to another website.)

Diplomats and other privileged persons are kindly requested to take notice of the instructions, as appropriate. The Missions may contact the Protocol Services of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for further details.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs avail themselves of this opportunity to renew to the Diplomatic Missions, Consular Posts and International Organizations accredited to Helsinki the assurances of their highest consideration.

 

Helsinki, 11 February 2022

 

To
the Diplomatic Missions, Consular Posts
and International Organizations accredited to Helsinki