Practical Information for Travelers to Finland during Corona Pandemic

About the page

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

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 updates on traveling to Finland

Latest update: 25 February 2021 at 15:45 EET

On 22 February, the Finnish Government decided to extend the restrictions on entry into Finland until 18 March 2021.

Leisure travel to Finland possible from 6 countries

Finland welcomes residents of the following countries to travel to Finland for leisure: the Vatican, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, New Zealand and South Korea. There is no mandatory testing or quarantine for residents from the above mentioned countries on arrival in Finland.

Restrictions will be lifted for residents of China and for Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions who are traveling from these regions to Finland, provided that reciprocity is confirmed by the Council of the European Union. At the moment only essential travel (not leisure) is possible from China and for Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions to Finland.

All travelers arriving in Finland from corona risk countries are tested for the coronavirus. Please refer to the FINENTRY digital service for managing travel to Finland.

Read more about entry restrictions to Finland.

Countries’ infections rates are reviewed regularly

Finnish health authorities will review countries’ infection rates regularly. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare publishes up-to-date health information related to traveling to Finland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

TRAVEL TRADE

To find out more about leisure travel in Finland during the coronavirus pandemic from the travel trade perspective, please visit the Travel Trade Travel Recovery site at Businessfinland.fi.

Health and safety measures

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. Finnish health authorities recommend using face masks in public transport and in other situations where it is difficult to maintain 1-2 m distances from other people.

If you suspect that you might contracted COVID-19, use the Coronavirus symptom checker to first assess your condition, if possible. If the symptom checker advises you to contact a health care professional, call your nearest healthcare center, hospital emergency department or the national Medical Helpline at tel. 116 117.

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.

Arriving and moving around in Finland

Finnish airports strongly recommend using face masks. Airports and ports may test passengers with possible coronavirus symptoms.

In all public transport, passengers must remember to avoid physical contact, maintain a safe distance from other people and observe good hand and respiratory hygiene. If it is not possible to maintain safe distances, the use of face masks is recommended. 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.

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.

Services for travelers

Due to epidemiological variations of COVID-19 epidemic in Finland, regional restrictions may vary significantly.  

Restaurants, cafés and bars are open, but have restricted activities depending on the epidemiological situation of the region. The regions where the COVID-19 epidemic has reached the acceleration phase, food and beverage businesses must continue to follow tighter restrictions than the rest of the country.  

In acceleration phase regions businesses must stop serving alcoholic beverages by 22.00 and in these areas, restaurants, cafés and bars have limited seating. 

The Finnish Government proposes closing food and beverage service businesses during the emergency conditions from 8 to 28 March, except for in areas where the epidemic is at a stable level. However, meals may be sold to customers for takeaway. The proposal is submitted to Parliament for approval next week.

More information on acceleration or transmission phase regions where stricter controls are in place is available on the Government’s COVID-19 pages.

In general, restaurants, cafés and bars must offer indoor seating to all customers and safe distances must be maintained. Outdoor seating is not restricted, however safe distances must be maintained. Service providers are required to ensure that customers can wash or sanitize their hands upon arrival. Customers are encouraged to maintain a safe distance from other people and observe good hand and respiratory hygiene. 

Sights and attractions are open, however please check their websites for up-to-date information on opening times any specific safety considerations. There might be regional restrictions due to epidemic situation and customer numbers can be restricted below normal levels. Some establishments may also be closed.

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