Passengers arriving from third countries who have received a full course of vaccination required to carry proof of a negative COVID-19 test as of 21 December

The restrictions on entry at external borders currently in place in Finland will continue and health security measures will be tightened. The relevant Government decision made on 16 December will enter into force on 20 December and will remain in force until 16 January 2022. According to the decision, passengers arriving from outside the EU and the Schengen area will be required, as of 21 December, to show a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued less than 48 hours before their arrival in addition to proof of a full course of vaccination.

This requirement applies until 31 December 2021 to those born in 2005 or earlier, and as of 1 January 2022, to those born in 2006 or earlier.

The requirement does not apply to persons living in Finland or in another EU or Schengen country when they return to their country of residence, nor to persons who have an essential reason for entry, such as compelling family matters or another compelling personal reason. However, all passengers are required to present certificates laid down in the Communicable Diseases Act and comply with the decisions made by the Regional State Administrative Agencies on compulsory health examinations.

People may enter Finland from EU and Schengen countries without travel restrictions as before.

At the same time, special restrictions on Southern African countries will be lifted. The Omicron variant has already spread widely around the world and within Europe, and therefore restrictions imposed only on certain countries are no longer considered appropriate.

Entry into Finland permitted without restrictions from countries on the EU’s green list

In line with the previous decisions of the Government, entry into Finland is permitted without restrictions for residents of 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. 

For third countries other than those mentioned in the Council recommendation, restrictions on entry will continue until 16 January 2022.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Regional State Administrative Agencies will provide municipalities with instructions on health security measures. Municipalities are responsible for health security measures at border crossing points, ports and airports. At external borders, the Finnish Border Guard will check test certificates as agreed with the health authorities.

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 and 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.