The Finnish government announced on Thursday a drastic relaxation of entry restrictions to Finland for travelers from EU or Schengen countries.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, entry into Finland from EU and Schengen countries will be allowed for those who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and those who have recovered from the disease less than six months prior to entry.
Entry into the country will also be allowed for those traveling from EU and Schengen countries because of their work.
The changes will enter into force on 21 June.
On 17 June, the Government also decided to continue internal border controls and restrictions on external border traffic until 11 July 2021.
Changes on internal border traffic
Internal border traffic refers to traffic between Finland and other Schengen countries. Starting on 21 June, entry into Finland based on employment will be allowed in all modes of transport from EU or Schengen countries.
In addition, entry into Finland from EU or Schengen countries will also be permitted if the person has a certificate of a completed Covid-19 vaccination series (meaning 2 shots for most approved vaccines) received before arriving in Finland or a certificate stating that they have recovered from the disease less than six months ago.
"This means that, under these conditions, recreational travel to Finland will also be permitted," emphasized the Ministry of the Interior.
This refers to the following situations:
- People who have received a full vaccination series (one dose or two doses depending on the vaccine) and at least two weeks have passed since the last dose of vaccine.
- People who have had Covid-19 and received at least one vaccine dose, and at least one week has passed since the vaccine dose.
- People who have passed Covid-19 less than six months ago.
Based on an epidemiological assessment, internal border controls will be lifted from travel between Finland and Poland and between Finland and Hungary.
Finland now restricts entry from Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, with the exception of leisure boating.
Minor changes on external traffic
External border traffic refers to traffic between Finland and non-Schengen third countries.
Based on an epidemiological assessment, restrictions on entry will be lifted for traffic arriving in Finland from Monaco, Romania and San Marino.
Restrictions on entry have already been lifted earlier for traffic arriving in Finland from the Vatican, and for traffic between Finland and Australia, South Korea, Israel, Singapore, Rwanda and New Zealand for residents of these countries. Entry from these low-risk countries is not restricted due to the low incidence of Covid-19.
For other countries, the restrictions on entry will be extended until 11 July 2021.
At the border crossing points that are open to passenger traffic, the accepted criteria for entry are the return of persons living in Finland or in another EU or Schengen country and other essential reasons. However, non-Finnish citizens living in another EU or Schengen country are not allowed to return to their country of residence through Finland if the transit is related to recreational travel. This does not apply to air traffic.
