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Photo: Finnish Border Guard 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 protect...

4.4.2024 | The Government has decided that the border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia will remain closed as of 15 April 2024. In addition, the border crossing points for maritime traffic at Haapasaari, the port of Nuijamaa and Santio will be closed to leisure boating as of 15 April. The Government decided on the matter in its session on 4 April 2024. The decision will remain in force until further notice, but no longer than is necessary.

28.8.2024 | The status of the Baltic Sea remains predominantly poor. The effects of eutrophication in all sea areas disrupt biodiversity and the functioning of the food network. However, the harmful development may be reversing. Although the change is not substantial from the previous status assessment published in 2018, longer-term monitoring indicates a slight improvement.

29.5.2020 | The new Water Traffic Act entered into force on Monday, 1 June 2020. It updates and brings together the traffic rules and signs used in water transport. The aim of the Act is to improve maritime safety, increase responsibility in boating and provide a favourable environment for water transport automation.

8.6.2021 | A Transport Safety Strategy prepared by the Ministry of Transport and Communications has been circulated for comments. The strategy was prepared in broad-based cross-administrative cooperation with stakeholders. It sets out effective means for improving transport safety and preventing traffic accidents in all modes of transport.

8.6.2021 | A Transport Safety Strategy prepared by the Ministry of Transport and Communications has been circulated for comments. The strategy was prepared in broad-based cross-administrative cooperation with stakeholders. It sets out effective means for improving transport safety and preventing traffic accidents in all modes of transport.

29.5.2020 | The new Water Traffic Act entered into force on Monday, 1 June 2020. It updates and brings together the traffic rules and signs used in water transport. The aim of the Act is to improve maritime safety, increase responsibility in boating and provide a favourable environment for water transport automation.

19.6.2019 | The new Water Traffic Act will update and bring together the traffic rules and signs used in water transport. The aim of the reform is to improve maritime safety and responsible boating and to provide a favourable environment for water transport automation.

20.5.2021 | On 20 May, the Government decided to extend the restrictions on entry into the country until 15 June 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, and we do not yet have adequate measures available to replace the restrictions. For this reason, and to curb the spread of COVID-19 variants, both internal border controls and restrictions on external border traffic will continue. Minor amendments will be made to the decisions adopted on 22 April. These will enter into force on 24 May.

19.6.2019 | The new Water Traffic Act will update and bring together the traffic rules and signs used in water transport. The aim of the reform is to improve maritime safety and responsible boating and to provide a favourable environment for water transport automation.

1.2.2021 | A revision of the Act on Environmental Protection in Maritime Transport is underway. The draft has been modified based on initial comments, and the requirements for ports and the authorities have been relaxed. The Ministry of Transport and Communications requests comments on the draft by 12 February.

3.6.2021 | On 3 June, the Government decided to extend the restrictions on entry into the country until 27 June 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, and we do not yet have adequate measures available to replace the restrictions. For this reason, and to curb the spread of COVID-19 variants, both internal border controls and restrictions on external border traffic will continue. Some amendments will be made to the decisions adopted on 20 May. These will enter into force on 7 June.

1.2.2021 | A revision of the Act on Environmental Protection in Maritime Transport is underway. The draft has been modified based on initial comments, and the requirements for ports and the authorities have been relaxed. The Ministry of Transport and Communications requests comments on the draft by 12 February.

23.7.2020 | In its meeting on 23 July, the Government decided to reinstate internal border control for traffic between Finland and Austria, Slovenia and Switzerland. These countries have seen an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections since the previous assessment. The reinstated restrictions will enter into force on Monday 27 July.

19.11.2020 | On 19 November, the Government decided to extend the restrictions on entry into the country until 13 December 2020. The COVID-19 epidemic continues to accelerate, and there are significant differences between the situation Finland and in the rest of Europe. It is therefore not justified to ease the restrictions until the new health security measures under preparation have been made sufficiently available.

23.6.2020 | In its meeting on Tuesday 23 June, the Government also received a report on the measures to be taken based on the assessment of the crisis follow-up group headed by Permanent Secretary Martti Hetemäki. In addition, the Government received a briefing on the current epidemiological situation.

8.7.2020 | In its meeting on Wednesday 8 July, the Government also received a briefing on the epidemiological situation and heard a report on the safe entry of berry pickers.

23.7.2020 | In its meeting on 23 July, the Government decided to reinstate internal border control for traffic between Finland and Austria, Slovenia and Switzerland. These countries have seen an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections since the previous assessment. The reinstated restrictions will enter into force on Monday 27 July.

13.11.2025 | The Conference on Energy Transition in Capture Fisheries discussed the opportunities offered by new energy sources and electricity and ways to reduce the use of energy. The conference gave wide support to the declaration of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on boosting energy transition in the fisheries sector.

11.11.2025 | The Saimaa Canal delegates have decided that the sailing season in the canal will end on 14 November 2025. The season will end early, because there is no vessel traffic in the canal.