Restrictions on external border traffic extended until 10 April

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread. To safeguard the capacity of the healthcare system, 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. The Government decided on these changes at its session on 10 March and they will enter into force on 14 March.

The restrictions will be eased as of 14 March so that passengers of cruise ships arriving from outside the EU or the Schengen area will be allowed 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.

Requirements under the Communicable Diseases Act apply to all passengers

Under 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 will be directed to a COVID-19 test at the point of entry. 

With certain exceptions, the requirements apply to all those born in 2006 or earlier.

Finnish travellers should note that while they are allowed to enter Finland without a test, other countries and airlines may have their own testing requirements.

Inquiries:
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 [email protected].

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.