Finland has decided to keep all eight road-crossing points on its 1 340-kilometre land border with Russia closed for a further two months, extending a measure that was due to expire on 12 February. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen announced the extension on 8 February, citing continuing “hybrid operations” by Russia that, according to Helsinki, encourage third-country migrants to approach the Finnish frontier without proper travel documents.
Under the decision, no international protection (asylum) claims can be lodged at the closed checkpoints and freight traffic remains suspended, although diplomatic traffic and essential deliveries may still be permitted on a case-by-case basis. Rantanen said intelligence indicates “hundreds, if not thousands” of migrants are still on the Russian side waiting for an opportunity to cross, and that Moscow has shown “no sign” of changing course.
Travellers and businesses affected by the ongoing closure may find it helpful to consult VisaHQ, which offers a streamlined way to verify current Finnish visa requirements, arrange alternative transit visas and manage documentation online. The service, available at https://www.visahq.com/finland/ can assist with rerouting through other Schengen countries or securing the correct permits while land crossings remain shut.
![Finland keeps land border with Russia shut until 14 April]()
Finland first began closing individual crossings in November 2023 after a sudden rise in irregular arrivals from countries such as Syria and Somalia. By the end of that month all passenger crossings were shut, followed by freight terminals in December. The government argues the closures are lawful under EU and Schengen rules that allow emergency restrictions to safeguard public order and national security. Human-rights organisations, however, warn that a prolonged blanket closure risks breaching the EU Asylum Procedures Directive and the principle of non-refoulement.
For Finnish companies that rely on just-in-time trucking routes to or from Russia, the extension formalises a status quo that has already forced logistics operators to re-route cargo via the Baltic States or through the northern Norwegian port of Kirkenes, adding cost and transit time. Business travellers with operations in Russia must continue to fly via third countries or use the limited rail connection through Vainikkala, which remains open for goods only.
Practically, the decision means that at least until mid-April all cross-border labour mobility, family visits and tourism will remain impossible by road. The Interior Ministry said it is examining “alternative legal tools” to allow genuine asylum seekers to register claims without reopening the crossings, but no timeline has been given. Employers with Russian staff or contractors have been advised to review visa statuses and, where feasible, shift assignments to Finland or other EU locations.
Under the decision, no international protection (asylum) claims can be lodged at the closed checkpoints and freight traffic remains suspended, although diplomatic traffic and essential deliveries may still be permitted on a case-by-case basis. Rantanen said intelligence indicates “hundreds, if not thousands” of migrants are still on the Russian side waiting for an opportunity to cross, and that Moscow has shown “no sign” of changing course.
Travellers and businesses affected by the ongoing closure may find it helpful to consult VisaHQ, which offers a streamlined way to verify current Finnish visa requirements, arrange alternative transit visas and manage documentation online. The service, available at https://www.visahq.com/finland/ can assist with rerouting through other Schengen countries or securing the correct permits while land crossings remain shut.
Finland first began closing individual crossings in November 2023 after a sudden rise in irregular arrivals from countries such as Syria and Somalia. By the end of that month all passenger crossings were shut, followed by freight terminals in December. The government argues the closures are lawful under EU and Schengen rules that allow emergency restrictions to safeguard public order and national security. Human-rights organisations, however, warn that a prolonged blanket closure risks breaching the EU Asylum Procedures Directive and the principle of non-refoulement.
For Finnish companies that rely on just-in-time trucking routes to or from Russia, the extension formalises a status quo that has already forced logistics operators to re-route cargo via the Baltic States or through the northern Norwegian port of Kirkenes, adding cost and transit time. Business travellers with operations in Russia must continue to fly via third countries or use the limited rail connection through Vainikkala, which remains open for goods only.
Practically, the decision means that at least until mid-April all cross-border labour mobility, family visits and tourism will remain impossible by road. The Interior Ministry said it is examining “alternative legal tools” to allow genuine asylum seekers to register claims without reopening the crossings, but no timeline has been given. Employers with Russian staff or contractors have been advised to review visa statuses and, where feasible, shift assignments to Finland or other EU locations.
