Current affairs

We have put together frequently asked questions with answers about travel and coronavirus.

Due to the prevailing emergency conditions based on the Emergency Powers Act, the Government has decided to restrict traffic at Finland’s external borders starting on Thursday 19 March at 00.00. Finns travelling abroad are encouraged to return to Finland as soon as possible.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry recommends that people only travel outside the Netherlands if it is strictly necessary.

Owing to the coronavirus outbreak, Finland, in line with the rest of the Schengen countries, has suspended the reception of normal visa applications in Finland’s missions with immediate effect from 19 March until further notice.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Finland’s Missions are monitoring the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in cooperation with the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), and they are in constant contact with key actors with regard to the situational picture and any necessary measures.

The EU is revising its Visa Code in order to facilitate visa procedures for travellers and to respond more effectively to the challenges posed by illegal migration. Finland will start applying the new Visa Code on 2 February 2020 together with other Schengen countries.

One of the key objectives of Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU has been to turn the European Union into a global climate leader. The 90 diplomatic and consular missions of Finland abroad have now risen to the challenge. The missions have addressed climate change in diverse ways, ranging from ways to exercise political influence to environmentally friendly choices in everyday life.

Elements for Intervention on behalf of the European Union and its Member States in the Eighteenth Session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (The Hague, 5 December 2019).

Elements for Intervention on behalf of the European Union and its Member States in the Eighteenth Session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (The Hague, 4 December 2019).

Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States by H.E. Mr. Pekka Haavisto, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finland, at the Eighteenth Session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (General Debate, The Hague, 2 December 2019)