Finland eases entry restriction on EU, Schengen from 21 June
Published : 17 Jun 2021, 22:05
Updated : 30 Jun 2021, 04:00
The government on Thursday decided to conditionally lift entry restrictions into Finland from European Union and Schengen countries, which will enter into force on 21 June, said the Ministry of the Interior in a press release.
Entry into Finland from EU and Schengen countries will be allowed for those who have received an approved COVID-19 vaccination series and those who have recovered from COVID-19 less than six months ago prior to entry.
This means that, under these conditions, recreational travel to Finland will be permitted.
Entry into the country will also be allowed for those travelling from EU and Schengen countries because of their work.
The government also decided to continue internal border controls and restrictions on external border traffic until 11 July 2021.
If necessary, the Border Guard will support the health authorities at border crossing points in checking the certificates related to vaccinations and travel for work. Arrangements will vary at different border crossing points. If necessary, the Border Guard will also direct passengers to compulsory health examinations ordered by the Regional State Administrative Agencies.
In addition to the restrictions on internal and external border traffic, restrictions on the opening hours of certain border crossing points at the western border in Lapland and the eastern border will continue.
The government also brought few minor changes to restrictions on external border 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.
Cruise vessels are permitted to call at ports but passengers are not allowed to come ashore.