Minister Ranne: Expected amendment into force in March when E16 is extended to Finland

European route 16, E16, will be extended to Finland. The Finnish Government gave a decree on the matter on 5 February 2026. The decree will enter into force on 5 March 2026.

At present E16 runs from Northern Ireland through Scotland and Norway to Gävle in Sweden. In Finland, E16 is formed by highway 12 between Rauma and Kouvola and highway 15 between Kouvola and Mussalo in Kotka. Near Tampere E16 runs through the ring road. 

Finland's segment of E16 will be about 400 kilometres long. The highways will be marked with the new E16 numbering, as well as the old national numbering.

“The new E16 route in Finland is part of the work to strategically strengthen our transport system. In this economic and security situation it is particularly important to focus on what is truly relevant and forget any pork barrel politics. We applied for and gained the European route status for one of the most critical west-east connections in Finland, which is important not only for military mobility and security of supply but also for the daily lives and activities of the citizens and businesses,” Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne says.

More than EUR 200 million in funding has been allocated to improvement projects concerning highways 12 and 15 that have already been started or will start during spring 2026.

In October 2024, Finland proposed that the road be extended to the Finnish side to the Working Party on Road Transport of the UN Economic Commission for Europe that is responsible for matters concerning the European route network. The amendment to the international agreement and the government decree required to bring it into force in Finland will enter into force on 5 March 2026.

Inquiries:

Requests to interview Minister Lulu Ranne:
Markus Liesegang, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 042, [email protected] 

Eeva Ovaska, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 008, [email protected]