Travel to and from Finland during the COVID-19 epidemic
Finland has placed restrictions on entry from other countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The health security measures required upon arrival aim to slow down the spread of the pandemic.
Detailed instructions
Health security measures at Finland’s borders are based on temporary provisions of the Communicable Diseases Act that will remain in force until 30 June 2022. Internal border control has been lifted. At its external borders, Finland adheres to the EU’s common border policy.
Finnish citizens, their family members and permanent residents of Finland have the right to return to Finland. Everyone has the right to leave Finland, provided that there is no legal impediment to this.
Other countries may also place restrictions on travel. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs updates its travel advice for each country individually.
Travelling to Finland
All people arriving in Finland during the COVID-19 pandemic are subject to the requirements put in place by both the border authorities and the health authorities:
- First, the border authorities will decide whether a person can enter the country. Entry into the country is restricted during the pandemic, and people arriving in Finland may be required to present certificates related to COVID-19. However, Finnish citizens, their family members and permanent residents of Finland always have the right to return to Finland.
- Once a person has entered the country, the health authorities will decide on the health measures or testing requirements that will be imposed on them. The requirements put in place by the health authorities also apply to citizens and residents of Finland.
Read more about the guidelines issued by the border authorities and the health authorities:
Finnish citizens, their family members and permanent residents of Finland have the right to return to Finland from any country in the world.
Entry into Finland from EU and Schengen countries
There are no entry restrictions when arriving from EU and Schengen countries. A valid travel document must be presented upon request.
Entry into Finland from the green list countries and regions
For residents of these countries and regions, there are no entry restrictions when arriving in Finland from these countries and regions. 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.
The following countries and regions are on the green list: Bahrain, Colombia, Chile, Hongkong, Indonesia, Kuwait, Macao, New Zealand, Peru, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates and Uruguay.
Entry into Finland from other countries
This section applies to entry in Finland from all countries not previously listed above.
Person may be granted entry into Finland from any country if they present
- a certificate of a complete and valid vaccination series (either one or two doses depending on the vaccine). OR
- a single certificate that the person has recovered from covid-19 virus and has gotten one dose of vaccine. OR
- EU digital COVID certificate that proves the person has recovered from covid-19 within 6 months.
All the above-mentioned requirements apply to persons born in 2006 or earlier.
The requirements above do not apply to Finnish citizens or permanent residents of Finland returning to Finland. Neither does the requirement apply to those who enter the country for an essential purpose.
Persons who meet the requirements above may enter Finland accompanied by minor children. Also minors born in 2006 or earlier are required to have a covid-19 vaccination certificate and a negative covid-19 test result.
Visit the Finnish Border Guard's website for more information:
- Entry into Finland from EU and Schengen countries
- Entry into Finland from the green list countries and regions
- Entry into Finland from other countries
- Cruise ship traffic
- Interpretation guidelines for clarification
Please bear in mind that the health security measures under the Communicable Diseases Act apply to all people arriving in Finland regardless of where they are arriving from.
We recommend that all travellers arriving in the country take a home test if they were not tested at entry.
In addition to this recommendation, all passengers arriving in the country will be subject to health security measures. Health security measures mean the requirement to present certificates or be tested for COVID-19. COVID-19 testing upon arrival in Finland is compulsory. The obligations apply to people born in 2006 or before.
People arriving in Finland do not need to be tested for COVID-19 if they have
- a certificate of full vaccination with an approved COVID-19 vaccine, OR
- a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 within the past six months, OR
- a test certificate obtained in a test taken no earlier than 72 hours before entry and showing a negative result.
COVID-19 vaccines accepted in Finland | Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
People arriving in Finland must be tested for COVID-19 3-5 days after arrival if
- they have a certificate of the first dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine requiring two doses, OR
- they do not have above-mentioned certificates, but they have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before arriving in Finland.
People arriving in Finland must be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival and 3-5 days after arrival if
- they do not have any of the above-mentioned certificates.
You can book an appointment for a COVID-19 test to be taken after arriving in Finland using the FINENTRY service.
More detailed instructions | Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
Please bear in mind that the border authorities decide on the entry of passengers into Finland.
Travelling abroad from Finland
The COVID-19 pandemic remains a major global risk to travel safety, and the situation may deteriorate abruptly and unpredictably in any country or region.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs’s travel advice concerning certain countries is to avoid non-essential travel, to avoid all travel or, due to the general security situation, to leave the country immediately.
Country-specific travel advice (available in Finnish) | Ministry for Foreign Affairs
The Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare recommends that all people travelling abroad obtain full vaccine protection against COVID-19 before travel.
If you are planning to travel, it is important to remember that all countries can impose restrictions on entry at their borders, and it may not be possible to travel to all countries.
Before travelling, please remember the following:
- Always check the current entry regulations with the authorities of your destination country by contacting that country’s diplomatic mission, for instance. Countries may also impose entry restrictions on transit traffic.
- Check the requirements of airports and airlines regarding wearing face masks or showing proof of a negative COVID-19 test, for example.
- Remember to also check the instructions of any other transport operators you will use.
COVID-19 certificates
The EU Digital COVID Certificate contains information on COVID-19 vaccinations, negative test results and/or recovery from COVID-19. The COVID-19 certificate is available in the My Kanta Pages.
You can use the EU Digital COVID Certificate when crossing borders within the EU. If you are planning to travel, it is important to check the requirements for entry into your country of destination with that country’s authorities.
Vaccination certificates | Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Press releases
Restrictions on external border traffic extended until 5 June
Restrictions on external border traffic extended until 5 June
Restrictions on external border traffic extended until 8 May
Restrictions on external border traffic extended until 13 March
Internal border control will end, restrictions on external border traffic will continue until 14 February
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Instructions for travellers and employees arriving in Finland | thl.fi
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) provides instructions on the health safety of travellers arriving in Finland. You can use the traffic light system on their website to assess the need for self-isolation and the risk of COVID-19 infection associated with travelling abroad. -
Foreign Ministry’s travel advice notices
The COVID-19 pandemic remains a major global risk to travel safety, and the situation may deteriorate abruptly and unpredictably in any country or region. -
Finentry
The Helsinki University Hospital HUS's Finentry web service lets incoming travellers review travel instructions before or during their trip, book an appointment for a Covid-19 test in Finland, and receive instructions for arriving at their test as well as the test result by text message. -
Border Guard guidelines for travellers | raja.fi
The Border Guard provides guidelines on entering the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines are based on the Government’s decisions on border traffic. -
Air travel during COVID-19 | finavia.fi
What do travellers need to take into account before departure, at the airport and when returning from a trip? Where can I fly from Finland?