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Restricted entry of Russian tourists into Finland as of 30 September 2022

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As of 29 September 2022, The Finnish Government has issued a resolution to restrict the entry of Russian tourists into Finland in external (Non-Schengen) border traffic.

The restrictions have come into force on 30 September 2022, at 00:00 midnight, and will remain in force until further notice. The resolution will not prevent travel deemed necessary for example humanitarian reasons, for national interests, or for meeting Finland’s international obligations.

The main exceptions: 

  • Russian citizen’s travel to Finland by plane can be accepted if passenger’s immediate purpose is to return to Russia via Helsinki Airport (bus or car connection).
  • Russian citizen’s travel to Finland by plane can be accepted with a Schengen visa if pax can show a flight ticket for a same day Non-Schengen flight, from Helsinki Airport, to a country where pax can enter.
  • Diplomat on an official trip
  • Business trip passenger
  • Students
  • Work in Finland
  • Logistic workers
  • Other essential reasons

If customer's journey starts at Schengen airport: 

No actions required for now. Until further notice, passengers who are already in the Schengen area may continue to move around the Schengen area as per their visas (e.g. CDG-HEL or CDG-HEL-TLL). 

If customer's journey starts at Non-Schengen airport: 

Russian citizens with a Schengen C type visa (tourist purposes) arriving at Helsinki from Non-Schengen airport will not be accepted to enter Finland or travel via Helsinki/Finland to other Schengen airport. If these passengers arrive at Helsinki by plane, they won’t be accepted onboard and will be returned to the departure destination or another destination where they will be accepted to.

Exceptional policy: YES, full refund allowed for customers who are not able to get to Finland from Russia and are holding a ticket issued until 29 September 2022, with departures from Finland (valid until 09 October 2022), see below

  • make a request for reimbursement and attach the rejection letter, if proof of rejection of entry to Finland is needed. 
  • a written proof of rejection of entry to Finland required 
  • refund must be applied via BSPlink Refund Application (US market via Refund Web-form on Finnair internet site). Refunds via GDS/ARC not allowed. 
  • a scanned copy of the statement must be attached to the refund application. 

You can read further information about the restrictions at the Finnish Border Guard’s website.