Unvaccinated not welcome

With a few exceptions, everyone arriving to Finland are required to present proof of full vaccination against coronavirus or proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the past six months. Also, a valid negative test taken less than 48 hours prior to entry must be provided.

The strict measures are put in force as Finland, like many European countries, over the last few weeks has seen a dramatic increase in number of infections.

Internal border control for Schengen travelers will remain in force until 16 January 2022, the Government informs.

There are, however, a few exceptions to the new border-crossing rules.

Residents of border communities at the country’s land border with Norway and Sweden in the north may enter without the testing as long as they can provide proof of an EU-approved COVID-19 vaccination, or proof of recovery from COVID-19 less the six months prior to entry. If not holding a vaccination passport, border citizens can enter Finland given they have a certificate of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than seven days prior to entry.

The requirements do not apply to children born after 2006. Also, Finnish citizens are allowed to enter without testing requirements.

Like Finland, also travelers to Sweden are met with new entry rules that came into force on December 28. As a main rule, there is an entry ban in effect for travels to Sweden from all countries until 31 January. However, people from EU and EEA countries are allowed to enter with a negative COVID-19 test no older than 48 hours, the Swedish police in charge of border control informs.

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Children under the age of 12 are excepted from the testing requirements. So are cross-border commuters in the border areas to Finland, Norway and Denmark.

Sweden is currently into its third big wave and counted 21,247 new cases on December 28. The country has since the start of the pandemic had 1,29 million infections and 15,286 coronavirus deaths.

Worldwide, the official figure of cases is now more than 283 million, with 5,41 million deaths.