Road between lakes in Posio
Photo by: Mikael Kunnari

COVID-19 Guidelines for Int'l Productions Coming to Finland

As of June 30, 2022, all Covid-related restrictions on Finland’s external borders will end. Passengers arriving from outside the Schengen & EU areas are no longer required to show vaccination proof or negative test results.

Update: As of June 30, 2022, all Covid-related restrictions on Finland’s external borders will end. Passengers arriving from outside the Schengen & EU areas are no longer required to show vaccination proof or negative test results. 

The information below is no longer being updated.

CROSSING THE FINNISH BORDER

At the moment you can cross the Finnish border from all countries if you have received a full course of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. Here are some other things to consider:

  1. You can enter Finland from all countries if you have received a full course of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. You will not be subject to any other obligations under the Communicable Diseases Act.
  2. You can travel from EU and Schengen countries to Finland, but you must first check your obligations under the Communicable Diseases Act, for example with regard to COVID-19 testing.
  3. If you have recovered from COVID-19 and have one vaccine, that is equivalent to a full vaccine.
  4. If you have recovered from COVID-19 in the past six months, you are permitted entry.

Please be aware that just because you are allowed to Finland, that does not mean you are automatically exempted from the obligation to be tested for COVID-19, for example.
Source: Finnish Government.

Up-to-date information for guidelines for border traffic during pandemic can be found here.

  • It is recommended to log in to the Finentry Web service before you travel: Home – Finentry.

AFTER CROSSING THE BORDER

Inquiries:
The Finnish Border Guard gives people advice on cross-border traffic by phone and email. The service is available in Finnish, Swedish and English on weekdays between 8.00 and 16.00 at +358 295 420 100. Questions can also be sent by email to rajavartiolaitos@raja.fi. The advisory service is very busy and it may take longer than usually to receive a reply. Travellers are advised to first check the up-to-date guidelines on border traffic on the Border Guard’s website.

COVID-19 Testing in Lapland

You should get tested immediately if you suspect a corona infection or begin to experience even mild symptoms of any of the following: fever, dry cough, tiredness, aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of taste or smell, difficulty to breathe or shortness of breath. By doing this, you can also protect others.

For information on the current COVID-19 situation in Lapland, local guidelines for health and safety, and how and where you can get tested, please visit Covid Safe Lapland, maintained by the Lapland Healthcare District and the Länsipohja Healthcare District.

For general COVID-19 guidance, please call the Government’s joint telephone helpline +358 295 535 535

Health and safety plan on the set

For productions that are travelling to Finland, it is recommended to have a health and safety plan before, during and after filming. Audiovisual Producers Finland – APFI, the Union of Journalists in Finland, the Finnish Actors’ Union, and the Trade Union for Theatre and Media Finland has made guidelines to follow while filming in Finland.

Sources:

APFI – Updated health and safety guidelines to be followed during the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 Safe Lapland

Finnish Government – Corona-info: information on the coronavirus by telephone and chat

Finnish Government – Entry restrictions and health measures in place in Finland

Finnish Government – Government adopts resolution on implementing the hybrid strategy for border traffic and travel

Finnish Border Guard – Guidelines for border traffic during pandemic

Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) – Transmission and protection – coronavirus

Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) – Travel and the coronavirus pandemic

Lapland Hospital District: Lapland Entry