Current affairs
Advance voting in Bulgaria in June’s European elections
The voting day for the European elections in Finland is Sunday 9 June 2024. Abroad, advance voting will be conducted between 29 May and 1 June 2024, but many of the advance polling stations abroad are open for a shorter period than this.
Changes in Bulgarian and Romanian border checks from 31 March 2024
Bulgaria and Romania will become Schengen members from 31 March 2024. Schengen membership means that those legally staying in member countries can move freely without passport checks. However, the membership of Bulgaria and Romania is exceptional – the removal of passport checks only applies to air and sea transport. Passport checks are still valid at land borders.
Foreign Ministry invites tenders for services for submitting entry permit applications
The request for participation, instructions for responding and contact details regarding the competitive procedure are available for service providers in the HILMA official service for notices on public procurement in Finland. Service providers are requested to submit their responses by 2 May 2024.
Finland participates in developing interoperability within border and visa policies to detect multiple identities
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ project on interoperability (the UMPIO project) coordinates the data related to internal security, border security and migration management in the EU information systems for security. The project is part of the development of entry systems funded by the EU.
Finland to increase financial requirement for Schengen visas to EUR 50 per day of stay and introduce proof of sponsorship form concerning visa applicants
As of 1 January 2024, Finland will increase travellers' daily financial requirement to EUR 50 per day of stay. Finland will simultaneously introduce a proof of sponsorship and/or accommodation form, which will allow visa applicants to finance their visit using the funds of the inviting party.
Seamless travel - checklist of things to do before travelling
Finns are once again actively travelling abroad. Over the years, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has been reminding travellers of things to take into account when travelling abroad to make sure their trip runs as smoothly as possible.
Foreign Ministry to survey market for application submission services for visas and residence permits
Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs is planning to launch a tendering process for outsourcing its entry permit application submission services in 2024. As a preparation for the upcoming tendering process, the Ministry will survey the market in autumn 2023.