Finland ends Covid border rules for Schengen, EU
The move will enable easier travel between Finland and other European countries, but will not apply to third party countries such as the UK
Finland will ease Covid-related border regulations for all EU member states and Schengen area countries from Tuesday 1 February.
The move ends restrictions introduced by the Finnish government in December following a spike in coronavirus cases in the wake of the Omicron variant’s discovery, which required all Schengen and EU passengers to provide either:
- Evidence of full vaccination, or
- Proof of a recovery from Covid-19 within the previous six months.
Non-Finnish citizens or residents were also required to provide a negative coronavirus test result within 48 hours of travel.
The country had previously introduced similar restrictions following the start of the pandemic in 2020, but had previously eased restrictions in July 2021.
The decision will ease travel between Finland and 27 EU countries, as well as four non-EU EFTA countries covered by the Schengen agreement: Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein.
However, travellers from non-EU, non-Schengen countries will still be required to abide by the old rules until at least 14 February, following a decision to extend the restrictions on third party countries following a during a government meeting held on 27 January.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor for Voyageur Group, joining in 2021. He writes for both ITIJ and AirMed&Rescue, covering a range of topics including international travel and health insurance, medical assistance provision and air medical transportation. He also serves as Title Editor of the Assistance & Repatriation Reviews. Oliver holds an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University, as well as a BA in English with Creative Writing from Falmouth University.