Current affairs

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland still recommends to avoid all unnecessary travel to the UK. If you decide to travel, you must act responsibly and follow the recommendations and regulations issued by the authorities. Coronavirus restrictions and guidelines vary depending whether you are in England, Scotland, Wales of Northern Ireland. Please check guidelines prior to travelling to your destination.

Finland is proud to present its candidacy to a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2022–2024 term. Previously, Finland served as a member of the Human Rights Council for a period of one year starting in 2006, when the Council was newly established.

Welcome to our second Team Finland newsletter of the year! This newsletter covers some highlights of our past and future Team Finland projects. We publish the newsletter online, but if you'd like to be added to the direct emailing list, please contact us.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has sent out for comments a proposal on amendments to the Decree of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Fees for Services Produced by the Foreign Service. The consultation round will be open until 6 August 2021. According to the proposal, the prices of identity cards and passports issued by missions abroad would be raised by 6 euros and 55 euros respectively.

Nordics and the UK organised a climate themed webinar ‘Addressing the climate emergency while staying competitive: Nordic and British approaches and innovations’ in May. The webinar was organised in partnership with Chatham House, and the support of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs recommends exercising special caution when travelling to the EU and Schengen area The Ministry also recommends avoiding unnecessary travel to countries outside the EU and Schengen area, except for countries for which the restrictions on entry have been lifted. In addition, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs still recommends avoiding all travel to Brazil, South Africa, Indiaand Russia.

Customer service and switchboard of the Embassy of Finland in London will be closed on Friday 25th June for Midsummer Eve.

Perry Le Dain and Meria Heikelä from Business Finland UK have been awarded Knights of the Order of the White Rose of Finland for their services for Finland. Le Dain received his decoration in 2019 and Heikelä in 2020, but due to the Covid-19 restrictions, the official presentation of the decorations was delayed. Ambassador Markku Keinänen presented the decorations for both of them at the Ambassador's residence in May.

Customer service and switchboard of the Embassy of Finland in London will be closed on Monday 31st May for a local bank holiday. We are also closed on Tuesday 8th June for staff training.

The Embassy of Finland will process passport and ID card applications in Edinburgh between Wednesday 2 June and Friday 4 June 2021 and in Manchester between Friday 18 June and Saturday 19 June. Appointments must be made in advance.