The question of whether Russian citizens can travel to Finland is complex, with regulations and restrictions evolving over time. This guide provides a detailed overview of the current rules and exceptions as of June 2024, helping you understand the circumstances under which travel is permitted.
Who Can Enter Finland from Russia?
While general travel restrictions are in place, certain categories of Russian citizens are still eligible to enter Finland. These exceptions are based on family ties, work, study, or other specific circumstances.
1. Family Members of Finnish Citizens and Residents
Russian citizens who are immediate family members of Finnish citizens or foreign nationals with permanent residency in Finland are generally permitted to enter. This includes:
- Spouses
- Parents
- Grandparents
- Children
- Grandchildren
- Dependants
- Those in an established partnership
To verify family relations at the border, passengers need to provide acceptable proof. The definition of “spouse” or “established relationship” follows Section 37 of the Aliens Act (301/2004), which considers persons living in a marriage-like circumstance as spouses, regardless of gender, provided they have lived together for at least two years. This cohabitation period is waived if they have a child together or have other compelling reasons. It’s important to note that the Finnish citizen family member can reside either in Finland or abroad.
2. Family Members of EU, EEA, and Swiss Citizens
Following Directive EC/2004/38, Russian citizens who are family members of citizens of a Member State of the European Union (EU), a Member State of the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland may be allowed to enter Finland.
Russian citizens must demonstrate at the border check their status as a family member. If not traveling with the EU citizen, they must prove that they are following an EU citizen who is exercising their right to freedom of movement.
3. Work Visa Holders
Entry is permitted for individuals holding a Finnish visa for short-term work lasting less than 90 days. This includes those with visas for seasonal work, enabling them to perform the specific job outlined in the visa. Individuals with a residence permit for seasonal work can also enter Finland.
According to Section 81 b of the Aliens Act, certain individuals can engage in gainful employment or commercial activities without a residence permit. In all cases, individuals must demonstrate their work or commercial purpose at the border check.
4. Transport and Logistics Personnel
Transport and logistics personnel traveling to Finland for work are permitted to enter. This includes individuals performing their duties or in transit to perform their duties (e.g., seafarers traveling to their vessel). Crew changes for seafarers are also permitted under this category. Seafarers also have the right to shore leave within the ship’s port area, as defined in the Aliens Act.
However, transit through Finland to the Schengen area is not allowed solely for this reason unless there is another valid reason for entry (see item 10).
5. Business Travelers
Business travelers may enter Finland if their personal presence is deemed absolutely essential for business purposes.
Transit through Finland to the Schengen area for business purposes is not permitted without another valid reason for entry (see item 10).
Business travelers with a visa must provide evidence at the border check that their presence is essential. The necessity of entry is evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on the information gathered during the border check. Verifying a business meeting may involve a phone call or other reliable means.
6. Students
Students arriving in Finland for short-term studies (less than 90 days), degree-seeking studies, or studies as part of a degree are permitted entry. This includes taking entrance exams, aptitude tests, or participating in a language test that is part of degree studies.
However, short courses at adult education centers or similar programs that do not lead to a degree are not sufficient reason for entry with a short-term visa.
Individuals must verify their purpose of entry during the border check with an invitation from the educational institution or a similar document. The authenticity of the invitation may be verified with the institution’s representative.
7. Individuals Seeking Medical Treatment
Entry to Finland is allowed for individuals who have an established patient care relationship with a healthcare institution located in Finland.
These individuals must verify the purpose of their entry at the border check. If necessary, the existence of the patient care relationship will be verified with the healthcare provider. The patient care relationship must generally have started before the current restrictions were implemented.
8. Property Owners
Owners of apartments or properties in Finland who owned the property before September 30, 2022, may enter if the purpose of the trip is for urgent and necessary maintenance requiring their personal presence.
Ownership must have been established before September 30, 2022, and remain in effect.
Individuals must justify the ownership and the urgent necessity of the maintenance and why their presence is required. The necessity of the situation is assessed on a case-by-case basis during the border check. Generally, entry is allowed for only one person listed as an owner of the property, and family members or groups are not permitted to accompany them.
9. Personnel of Diplomatic Missions and Consular Representations
Personnel of diplomatic missions and consular representations of the Russian Federation accredited to or sent to Finland, along with their family members and diplomatic couriers, are permitted entry. This also applies to personnel of diplomatic missions and consular representations of the Russian Federation transiting through Finland for official duties, as well as their family members.
Diplomats of the Russian Federation and holders of diplomatic and service passports traveling for short-term business trips to Finland or the Schengen area are also permitted entry.
10. Other Special Reasons
In accordance with government guidelines, entry may be granted for other special reasons on a case-by-case basis. These reasons may include:
- Humanitarian reasons
- Compelling personal reasons
- Reasons related to the best interests of a child
- Other justified reasons
Compelling personal reasons should involve a pressing and unpredictable cause requiring personal attendance that cannot be delayed and would cause undue harm if the person did not attend to it. Examples include attending the funeral or addressing the serious illness of a close relative, or an invitation from a Finnish authority.
The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) handles matters related to immigration, asylum, refugee status, and citizenship.
Visa Revocation
According to the Visa Code ((EC) No 810/2009), a visa will be revoked if the conditions for issuing it are no longer met.
If the Finnish Border Guard refuses entry and the Schengen visa was issued by Finland, the visa is usually revoked. If the visa was issued by another Schengen country, the Border Guard will consider revocation on a case-by-case basis. If a visa is revoked, the Border Guard will inform the visa-issuing authorities of the Member State.
Updated: June 17, 2024
