Practical Information for Travelers to Finland during Corona Pandemic

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This page contains practical travel information for international leisure travelers planning a visit to Finland during the Coronavirus pandemic.

As Finland begins to open up for leisure travelers, we are happy to welcome you to Finland! We want to reassure you that our travel service providers are adhering to all health guidelines to ensure your safe and comfortable stay with us.

Latest news

Last updated: 23 July 2020 at 21:25 EET

Finland welcomes leisure travelers from a number of countries as the coronavirus situation has eased in these countries and Finland. There is no border control for travelers from these countries and they do not need to self-isolate on arrival in Finland.

Border control and restrictions are lifted and also leisure travel is possible between Finland and Andorra, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, San Marino, Slovakia and the Vatican. As of 27 July, travel restrictions are unfortunately back in place again for travelers from Austria, Slovenia and Switzerland due to an increase of coronavirus cases in these countries.

Essential, work-related and return travel is possible from all Schengen and EU countries as well as the UK. Except  for those countries named above, self-isolation for 14 days upon arrival is recommended.

As of 27 July, leisure travel is also possible from China (based on EU guidance on reciprocity), Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay. Self-isolation is not required for travelers from these countries. As of 27 July, travel restrictions are unfortunately back in place again for travelers from Australia and Algeria due to an increase of coronavirus cases in these countries.

The Finnish Government bases its decisions on easing border control and restrictions on the incidence of COVID-19 in the country. The limit value is a maximum of eight new cases of the disease per 100,000 persons in the previous 14 days. These changes to border control and restrictions are in effect until 28 August and will be reviewed in 2 weeks’ time.

General health and safety measures regarding coronavirus in Finland include avoiding physical contact, maintaining a safe distance from other people and observing good hand and respiratory hygiene. There is no guidance on using face masks outdoors, in public indoor spaces or on public transport, however Finnish airports strongly recommend using face masks.

Finnish airports are now open for passenger traffic and strongly recommend using face masks. All ports with border crossings are also open to passenger traffic. In all transport, passengers must remember to avoid physical contact, maintain a safe distance from other people and observe good hand and respiratory hygiene. When leaving the airport or harbor, using your own car or taking a taxi is recommended. For hygiene guidance on aircraft or cruise ships, please refer to information provided by your airline or cruise line. Travel by pleasure craft is also possible from Schengen countries.

Restaurants, cafés and bars in Finland can stay open from 4am to 2am and serve alcohol from 9 am to 1am. Indoors seating must be available to all customers and the venue can be filled to 3/4 capacity. Outdoor seating is not restricted, however safe distances must be maintained. All customers must have seating available. Service providers are required to ensure that customers can wash or sanitize their hands upon arrival. Likewise, furniture, dishes, cutlery and other surfaces must be kept clean so that they do not pose a risk of spreading the disease. Customers are encouraged to maintain a safe distance from other people and observe good hand and respiratory hygiene.

Sights and attractions have been opening as of 1 June. Please check their websites for up-to-date information on opening times any specific safety considerations.

Accommodation and other services for travelers are also opening up, please check with your chosen service provider for the availability of their service and any specific safety considerations.

For more detailed official information on travel to Finland and the coronavirus situation in Finland, please refer to the additional links in this article.

Useful travel information and links

MONITOR STATEMENTS AND GUIDANCE

Travelers are asked to closely monitor statements and guidance issued by their home countries’ public authorities, health officials and embassies, in order to receive timely information on matters such as quarantine instructions upon arrival at home. You can find the contact information of your own Embassy in Finland on the list of representations of foreign countries in Finland maintained by Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

VISA VALIDITY

Please note that the police may extend the validity of a visa in the event that flight cancellations, for example, prevent the visa holder from leaving Finnish territory before their visa expires. For more info please contact the police.

TRAVEL TRADE

To find out more about how Finland is opening up for leisure travel from the travel trade perspective, please visit the Travel Trade Travel Recovery site at Businessfinland.fi.

In case of illness in Finland

Finland’s healthcare is currently dealing with cases of the virus. If your travel insurance includes medical insurance, please contact the health provider mentioned in the policy first for advice. Otherwise be in contact (first by phone) with the local public health center or hospital emergency department.

It is important that you should contact the health center by phone to receive instructions.

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare is continously updating their Covid-19 coronavirus updates site.

NATIONWIDE EMERGENCY NUMBER 112

Call the emergency number only in genuine emergency situations. In an emergency situation, you will be treated even if you do not have a municipality of residence in Finland. The medical costs can be collected from you afterwards. The emergency number can be called free of charge from any phone. No area code is needed. If you have a mobile phone subscription that is based abroad you can still call the emergency number without an area code.