Circular Note, 10 March 2022: Border traffic restrictions at the internal and external Schengen borders of Finland as from 14 March 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.

According to the Government decision of 10 March, in force on 14 March 2022, the restrictions on external border traffic will continue until 10 April. Restrictions on passengers of cruise ships arriving from outside the Schengen area will be eased, allowing passengers of cruise ships arriving from outside the EU or the Schengen area to disembark in Finland if they have proof of full vaccination with an approved COVID-19 vaccine or an EU Digital COVID Certificate showing proof of recovery from COVID-19 less than six months prior to entry. This requirement applies to those born in 2006 or earlier. No certificate is required from Finnish citizens or foreign nationals residing permanently in Finland.

In practice, cruise ship passengers will be subject to the same conditions for entry as other third-country nationals. At the moment, these passengers are not allowed to disembark at all. Cruise ship passengers arriving from EU and Schengen countries are already permitted to disembark without restrictions.

In other respects, the restrictions will remain unchanged.

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 will be directed to a COVID-19 test at the point of entry. The requirements apply to all 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. These travellers should also note that while they may be allowed to enter Finland without a test, other countries and airlines may have their own testing requirements.

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 (Opens New Window).

If you have any questions about approved vaccines or quarantine or testing requirements, please call the Government COVID-19 helpline at +358 295 535 535 or visit the website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.

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, 10 March 2022

 

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