Health security at Finland’s borders: new decree on exceptions concerning people arriving in Finland from abroad

The Government has adopted a new decree on the exceptions to the obligation to present a COVID-19 certificate or undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival in Finland from abroad. The decree will enter into force on 1 September 2021.

People arriving in Finland will be required to have a reliable certificate of recovery from COVID-19 within the past six months, of a full vaccine course or of a negative COVID-19 test taken before arrival in Finland.

The obligation to show proof or be tested for COVID-19 does not apply to people arriving in Finland from countries or regions where the incidence of COVID-19 or the prevalence of virus variants does not pose a particular risk of spreading the epidemic.

Under the government decree, people arriving in Finland from the following countries or regions will not be required to be tested or show a certificate: Hong Kong, China, Macao, Malta, Taiwan, Hungary, New Zealand, Poland and the Vatican, and the Norwegian municipalities of Storfjord, Kåfjord, Nordreisa, Kautokeino, Karasjok, Tana, Nesseby and Sør-Varanger and the Swedish municipalities of Haparanda, Kiruna, Pajala and Övertorneå.

Also, people arriving from these countries or regions are not required to take a second COVID-19 test within 72–120 hours of their arrival in Finland.

The current government decree will expire on 31 August, and the new decree will remain in force until 15 October 2021. The list of countries and regions and the epidemiological situation will be reviewed every two weeks.

Inquiries: 

Taneli Puumalainen, Director General, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, [email protected]