Travel conditions in Finland: presentation of a negative COVID-19 test or border test

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EMERGENCY: YES, starting March 1, 2021. ENTRY RESTRICTIONS ON THE NATIONAL TERRITORY (valid until April 30, 2021).

Restrictions on entry into the Republic of Finland have been extended until 30 April 2021.

As of 18 February this year, the Finnish authorities have decided to maintain border controls and extend the current travel restrictions until 30 April 2021 for persons entering Finland from countries with an infection rate of more than 25 per 100.000 inhabitants, including Romania.

Travel to Finland is allowed exclusively to foreign nationals residing in Finland only in the interest of work, including for seasonal workers in agriculture, horticulture and the forestry sector and for other essential reasons, exclusively in the situations provided for in the instructions of the Border Police. Updated official information is available at the next Web page.

Airport transit is allowed

Return of resident foreign nationals and entry into Finland for justified reasons are permitted. Transit through Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is permitted, but passengers are required to remain in the airport's transit area until boarding procedures begin in order to continue their journey.               

In case of long stops or flight cancellation to the state of final destination, it is allowed to leave the transit area and stay at a hotel within the airport perimeter.

The entry into Finland of family members of a Finnish citizen or a resident of the EU Member States is allowed, regardless of nationality. It is also possible to dock cruise ships arriving in Finland without permission to disembark on Finnish territory.

As regards the return to Finland, through the internal border crossing points covered by the controls, this is possible by various means of transport, if necessary. Justified urgent cases are considered: family, personal or real estate problems (apartment or holiday home) owned in Finland.

These provisions apply to all citizens of EU Member States and the Schengen area living in Finland.

These provisions apply to all citizens of the EU Member States and the Schengen area living in Finland and their family members, as well as to third-country nationals living in that state with a residence permit, to citizens of the EU Member States and the Schengen area, as well as and those in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

In order to ensure the necessary medical staff at the land borders, the operating hours of some border points have been modified. Thus, starting with February 15 this year, the border crossing points between Finland and Norway are open from 9:00 to 21:00. At Finland's land border with Sweden, the Karesuvanto, Kolari, Muonio and Pello crossing points are open from 7:00 to 21:00.

At the land border with Russia, the Nuijamaa and Vaalimaa crossing points are open from 7:00 to 21:30, and the Niirala crossing is open from 9:00 to 20:00. The border crossing point at Imatra is closed to passenger traffic. 

Romania was included in the group of "red states"

In accordance with the decision of the Finnish Institute of Public Health (THL), Romania was included in the group of "red states", with an incidence of COVID-19 cases of over 25 per 100.000 inhabitants.

The Regional State Administrative Agency has decided to carry out compulsory medical check-ups for all passengers entering Finland from the "red countries" through all air, sea and land border crossings. Mandatory medical examinations will be performed between 1 and 30 April 2021 and may include free testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Passengers who test negative for COVID-19 no later than 72 hours before entering Finland, or a certificate stating that they have been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the last 6 months will be exempted from mandatory testing. .

Refusal to participate in the compulsory medical examination or to perform the free COVID-19 test can be sanctioned with a fine or a custodial sentence of up to 3 months for offenses against health protection legislation.

The obligation to perform the medical examination and the COVID-19 test does not apply to carriers, logistics workers and passengers in transit through Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Updated official information is available on the website of the Southern Finland Regional Administrative Agency.

Voluntary isolation

The firm recommendation for voluntary isolation at home or residence is maintained for all passengers arriving in Finland from countries at high risk of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Passengers with visible symptoms will be quarantined for a period of 14 days. Voluntary self-isolation strongly recommended by the authorities can be interrupted after two negative tests, the second performed at least 72 hours after entering the country. Foreign nationals who spend less than 72 hours in Finland must not enter self-isolation or take a second test.

More information about travel conditions in Finland!

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