Consular services increasingly in demand

Press release 15/2016
22 January 2016

In 2015 the demand for consular services once again broke the previous year’s record. In all, more than 55,000 cases involving consular assistance were recorded, which translates to an increase of 25% compared to 2014. The fact that Finns are travelling more and more is reflected in the growing number of cases.

Most often embassies are asked to assist in situations involving lost passports or when there are other problems with travel documents. Because of such reasons altogether 17,662 Finns contacted Finnish missions abroad last year. As a result, they issued a total of 19,353 new Finnish passports.

In 2015 1,171 persons turned to Finland’s embassies for help after they fell ill or had an accident while abroad. The diplomatic missions also assisted 754 persons that became victims of crime. Furthermore, assistance was provided 454 times to Finns arrested or imprisoned abroad.

Last year 520 Finns died while abroad. Most of the deceased were repatriated to Finland. During the past four years the cases of death abroad have increased by more than 50%.

Pursuant to the Consular Services Act consular services may be provided for Finnish citizens and for foreign citizens residing permanently in Finland. The primary form of assistance entails general advice. When necessary, Finnish missions abroad may afford assistance in the form of contacting the next of kin or other persons, obtaining information, receiving hospital treatment, and in obtaining any other necessary help required by the situation.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs recommends that all Finns travelling abroad take out comprehensive travel insurance. Independent travellers, in particular, are also advised to submit a travel notification to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs at matkustusilmoitus.fi.(Link to another website.)

The Ministry’s travel bulletins (formin.finland.fi – Matkustaminen ja maat - Matkustustiedotteet(Link to another website.)) provide destination-specific information for Finnish travellers.

Additional information: Teemu Turunen, Director, Unit for Consular Assistance. Tel. +358 295 351 063.