Current affairs
Travelling during the bushfire season
The official Australian bushfire season is from October 1 to March 31. If you are travelling during the bushfire season, a fire could affect you. Bush and grass fires often cross roads and highways. Smoke can reduce visibility and roads may be closed without warning. Make sure you have all the information you will need to keep safe.
Upcoming Passport Missions
Passport missions by the Embassy of Finland enable citizens of Finland to apply for a Finnish passport in the city the event is arranged. This means a trip to Canberra can be avoided. Services provided during a passport mission are restricted to passport applications.
Finland becomes a NATO invitee
The NATO member countries signed the Accession Protocols concerning Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO membership at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on 5 February, making Finland and Sweden invitees of the Alliance. The Accession Protocols must next be ratified in each member country for Finland and Sweden to become members.
Entry restrictions due to COVID-19 to be lifted on 1 July
Restrictions on entry at Finland’s external borders imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be lifted on 1 July 2022. Third-country travellers arriving in Finland will no longer be required to hold vaccination or COVID-19 test certificates, and COVID-19 tests will not be carried out at border crossing points.
Finland is preparing to apply for NATO membership
Finland is preparing to apply for membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). On 15 May, the Government submitted a report to Parliament on Finland’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and proposed that the President of the Republic decide that Finland will apply for membership in NATO after Parliament has been heard.