The government has taken an initiative to extend the validity of the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration (‘Border Security Act’) with the view to prevent foreign states from exerting influence on Finland through the instrumentalisation of migrants.
The Finnish Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project in this regard, said the Ministry in a press release on Tuesday.
The aim is to submit the government proposal to Parliament in September 2026. The term of the legislative project is from 26 May to 31 December 2026.
“The security situation at Finland’s eastern border is still tense but stable. However, we must be prepared for rapid and critical changes. Finland will continue its efforts to combat instrumentalised migration at its external border,” said Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen in the press release.
The security authorities estimate that the threat of instrumentalised migration at Finland's eastern border remains high.
The situation has not changed significantly since 2025, when the act was previously extended and a quick improvement in the security situation is not visible.
The Border Security Act entered into force on 22 July 2024 and was originally in force for one year. In 2025, the validity of the act was extended until 31 December 2026.
It lays down the conditions under which Finland can decide to restrict the reception of applications for international protection in a limited area at Finland’s national border and in its immediate vicinity.
Finland’s eastern border will remain closed until further notice
The border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia have been closed since 15 December 2023 by virtue of a series of government decisions.
The most recent decision was issued on 16 April 2025. The decision is in force until further notice.
The decision repealed a similar decision made by the government on 4 April 2024.
Applications for international protection may be submitted at other border crossing points at Finland’s external borders that are still open for air and maritime traffic.
Earlier, the government on January 11, 2024 decided that the border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia will remain closed until 11 February 2024.
The government on December 14, 2023 decided to close all land border with Russia.
The government on December 12 decided to resume two border crossing points at eastern border from December 14.
The government on November 28 decided to close the all the border crossing points with Russia from November 30 against the backdrop of influx of the increasing number of asylum seekers.
Earlier, Finland closed three more border crossing points- Kuusamo, Salla and Vartius- at the eastern border early November 24.
- Finland
- Russia
- Border
- Closure
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
