Comments requested on legislative proposal to extend validity of Border Security Act
The Finnish Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a government proposal to extend the validity of the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration ('Border Security Act') until 31 December 2026. The purpose of the act is to respond to efforts to put pressure on Finland through the instrumentalisation of migrants.
"While the threat of instrumentalised migration at Finland's eastern border remains high for the time being and the security situation at the border is tense, it is nevertheless stable. However, we must prepare for the possibility that the situation may change rapidly and seriously,” says Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.
"By extending the validity of the Border Security Act, we will ensure that border authorities have sufficient powers to act preventively and effectively if the situation changes," Rantanen says.
Finland’s eastern border is the longest external border that both the EU and NATO have with Russia.
The deadline for submitting comments is 6 March 2025. No changes are proposed to the content of the act. The Government aims to submit the legislative proposal to Parliament in March 2025. The proposed act should enter into force by 22 July 2025 at the latest.
The Border Security Act is an important tool for protecting national security
The Border Security Act entered into force on 22 July 2024 and will remain in force for one year. It lays down the conditions under which Finland can decide to restrict the reception of applications for international protection in a limited area on Finland’s national border and in its immediate vicinity. The purpose of the act is to prevent foreign states from exerting influence on Finland through the instrumentalisation of migrants.
Finland’s eastern border will remain closed until further notice
The border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia have been closed since 15 December 2023 by virtue of a series of government decisions. The most recent decision was issued on 15 April 2024 and will remain in force until further notice. However, the situation and the necessity of the restrictions are monitored regularly.
Applications for international protection may be submitted at other border crossing points at Finland’s external borders that are still open for air and maritime traffic.
The above government decisions and the enactment of the Border Security Act have achieved their intended effect, and instrumentalised migration has ceased for now.
Inquiries:
Sanna Palo, Head of Legal Division, Finnish Border Guard, tel. +358 295 421 601, [email protected]