Current affairs

In future, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will update its travel advice for each country individually. In our advice, we will continue to take into account the recommendations with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, issued by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, and the general security situation in the country in question.

Finnish missions abroad promote measures that advance Finland’s sustainable growth and help Finnish companies to succeed in international markets.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has recruited 20 new senior specialists in international business to work in 16 different countries. The intention is to increase Finnish exports in important export markets and, in particular, to help small- and medium-sized companies to work globally.

Wearing a face mask is mandatory in indoor public areas in Israel. Foreign nationals must have an entry permit to Israel. Air travel to and from Israel is subject to entry and outbound clearances. All passengers arriving in Israel must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result to airline staff. Passengers with an Israeli COVID certificate are required to enter isolation until they receive COVID-19 negative test results to a test that they must take on arrival in Israel, or isolate for 24 hours (whichever is earlier). Travellers who were vaccinated or recovered outside of Israel must enter isolation, but they can apply for an exemption by taking a serological test in an accredited Israeli laboratory. Persons who are not vaccinated are required to quarantine for 14 days. There is an option to shorten the isolation period, if two PCR test results are negative: the first test, which is mandatory for all travelers, must be taken when you arrive in Israel; the second test is taken on the seventh day of isolation. All passengers who have visited destinations included by Israel in the list of countries with the highest COVID-19 risk are required to enter isolation 7-14 days. Full guidance can be found from the Israeli Ministry of Health website. Rules and regulations might change at short notice.

The Embassy of Finland in Tel Aviv is looking for a full-time Driver / Office Services Attendant to start working in September 2021.

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.

The prolonged COVID-19 epidemic has led to an exceptional situation for travellers. This summer, borders have gradually started to open up and, thanks to vaccinations, safe and healthy travel is possible to a greater extent. Many Finns are also spending their holidays abroad. However, it is important to remember that the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing and that infections are rising again in many holiday destinations popular among Finns. When travelling, it is important to act responsibly and observe guidelines in place to ensure health security.

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.