Situation at Finland’s eastern border

The border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia will remain closed until further notice. It is not possible to submit applications for international protection at any border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia at this time. In addition, the border crossing points for maritime traffic at Haapasaari, the port of Nuijamaa and Santio are closed to leisure boating.

As of 15 April 2024, it has only been possible to submit applications for international protection at other border crossing points for maritime traffic and at border crossing points for air traffic. 

Since the beginning of August 2023, more than 1,300 third-country nationals have arrived in Finland from Russia without a visa. According to the authorities, it was clear that foreign authorities or other actors were facilitating instrumentalised migration. This phenomenon and the risk of its escalation posed a serious threat to national security and public order in Finland.

The restrictions on entry are based on the Border Guard Act. The content and scope of the decision will be regularly assessed as the situation develops. The decision will be repealed or amended if it is no longer necessary in order to ensure public order and national security. 

In its session on 21 May, the Government decided to submit a bill for a border security act to Parliament. Parliament passed the bill on 12 July. The President of the Republic approved the bill on 16 July. The act will enter into force on 22 July 2024 and will remain in force for one year.
The aim of the act is to improve border security and ensure that Finland has effective means at its disposal to combat instrumentalised migration, which is being used to put pressure on Finland. The aim is also to prepare for more serious instances of instrumentalised migration. 

The act lays down the conditions under which a government plenary session 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. Applying the act requires highly exceptional and pressing reasons.

Government's decisions (available in Finnish)

• Decision on 21 May 2024 to submit a proposal to Parliament for an act on temporary measures to combat instrumentalised migration
• Decision on 4 April 2024 to keep the eastern border closed until further notice
• Decision on 8 February 2024 to keep the eastern border closed
• Decision on 11 January 2024 to keep the eastern border closed
• Decision on 14 December 2023 to close the entire eastern border again
• Decision on 12 December 2023 to reopen the border crossing points at Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala starting on 14 December
• Decision on 28 November 2023 to close the remaining open border crossing point, Raja-Jooseppi, starting on 30 November
• Decision on 22 November 2023 to also close the border crossing points at Kuusamo, Salla and Vartius starting on 24 November
• Decision on 16 November 2023 to close the border crossing points at Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala starting on 18 November