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.

Maailman terveysjärjestö WHO julisti koronavirusepidemian maailmanlaajuiseksi pandemiaksi. Tämän myötä THL on luopunut maiden ja alueiden luokittelusta epidemia-alueiksi. Koronavirustartunnan saamisen riski on kohonnut koko Euroopassa ja muualla maailmassa.

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.

New side accreditations to Vatican and Yemen

On 22 February, the President of the Republic decided to authorise Seija Toro, Roving Ambassador based at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, to represent Finland also in Senegal, and Jukka Pietikäinen, Roving Ambassador based at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, to represent Finland also in Suriname and Grenada. In addition, the President of the Republic side accredited Risto Piipponen, Ambassador of Finland to Croatia, to represent Finland also in the Holy See (Vatican City State).

The Ambassador of Finland, Risto Piipponen presented his credentials to His Holiness, Pope Francis on 17 May 2018.

During his visit to Italy, Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini had the opportunity to also meet officials of the Holy See on 19 February 2019.