Eastern border timeline
Border closure decisions, travel restrictions and related legislation on one timeline for 2022–2026. Events are ordered by the date of the decision, enactment or government proposal. Effective dates are shown separately.
2022
- Act · 698/2022
Powers under the Border Guard Act amended
- Act issued
- 8.7.2022
- Effective from
- 15.7.2022
Section 16 of the Border Guard Act is amended regarding the closure of crossing points, restrictions on traffic and the centralisation of applications for international protection. This legislation predates the 2023 closure decisions; it does not yet close any particular crossing point.
Read the official source ↗ - Government resolution · not an act
Restrictions on Russian tourist travel
- Decision
- 29.9.2022
- Effective from
- 30.9.2022 at 00:00
The Government restricts Russian citizens’ tourist travel to Finland and transit to the rest of the Schengen area. This concerns the purpose and conditions of entry, rather than the closure of all crossing points.
Read the official source ↗
2023
- Government resolution · not an act
Restrictions on non-essential travel continued
- Decision
- 6.7.2023
- Effective from
- 10.7.2023 at 00:00
The 2022 resolution is renewed. Restrictions continue and conditions are tightened, including for business travellers, property owners and students. Travel restrictions and the closure of a crossing point are separate measures.
Read the official source ↗ - Decision
- 16.11.2023
- Effective from
- 18.11.2023
Four crossing points closed
Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala close. Applications for international protection are centralised at Vartius and Salla. The original end date is 18.2.2024; subsequent decisions change the arrangements.
Official source · SM/2023/4 ↗- Decision
- 22.11.2023
- Effective from
- 24.11.2023 at 00:00
Only Raja-Jooseppi remains open
Kuusamo, Salla and Vartius also close. Raja-Jooseppi becomes the sole open road crossing on the eastern border, and applications for protection are centralised there.
Official source · SM/2023/9 ↗- Decision
- 28.11.2023
- Effective from
- 30.11.2023
All eight road crossing points closed
Raja-Jooseppi closes. The closure is ordered until 13.12.2023. Applications for international protection move to open air and sea crossing points.
Official source · SM/2023/15 ↗- Decision
- 12.12.2023
- Effective from
- 14.12.2023
Vaalimaa and Niirala reopen
Two crossing points reopen to traffic; six remain closed. Applications for international protection are centralised at Vaalimaa and Niirala. The arrangement was intended to last until 14.1.2024, but a new decision replaces it.
Official source · SM/2023/24 ↗- Decision
- 14.12.2023
- Effective from
- 15.12.2023 at 20:00
Vaalimaa and Niirala close again
The brief partial reopening ends. All eight road crossing points close until 14.1.2024. The decision of 12.12 is also repealed when the new decision takes effect.
Official source · SM/2023/27 ↗Explore more · Poland’s experienceHow did Poland reopen despite the risks?
For comparison: Poland reopened crossing points in 2025 with reinforced controls, despite continuing migration pressure. The countries’ security situations and the timing of their decisions differ.
2024
- Decision
- 11.1.2024
- Effective from
- 15.1.2024
Closure extended into February
The existing closure and centralisation of protection applications continue until 11.2.2024. The decision date, 11.1, is not the start of the new period of validity.
Official source · SM/2024/3 ↗- Decision
- 8.2.2024
- Effective from
- 12.2.2024
Closure extended to mid-April
The closure of eight crossing points and centralisation of applications for international protection are extended until 14.4.2024.
Official source · SM/2024/5 ↗- Decision
- 4.4.2024
- Effective from
- 15.4.2024
Closure becomes indefinite
Eight land border crossing points remain closed with no predetermined end date. Haapasaari, Nuijamaa port and Santio also close to pleasure craft. The need for the decision is reviewed regularly.
Official source · SM/2024/19 ↗- Act · 426/2024
Border procedure for asylum applications introduced
- Act issued
- 28.6.2024
- Effective from
- 1.9.2024
An amendment to the Aliens Act introduces a procedure for examining certain applications for international protection at or near the border. It concerns processing applications; it does not itself close or reopen eastern border crossing points.
Read the official source ↗ - Temporary act · 482/2024
Border security act enacted
- Act issued
- 16.7.2024
- Effective from
- 22.7.2024
The Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration allows restrictions on receiving applications in a limited border area under specified conditions. Application requires a separate Government decision. Entry into force must not be interpreted as activation of the measures.
Read the official source ↗
2025
- Decision
- 16.4.2025
- Effective from
- 17.4.2025
Indefinite closure renewed
The Government adopts a new decision keeping eight land border crossing points and three pleasure-craft crossing points closed. This continues the closure; it is not a reopening.
Official source · SM/2025/32 ↗- Amending act · 368/2025
Border security act extended
- Act issued
- 27.6.2025
- Effective from
- 1.7.2025
The act’s validity is extended until 31.12.2026. The Government proposed its confirmation on 18.6.2025; the act was issued on 27.6 and entered into force on 1.7. Extending validity does not itself constitute a decision to apply the act.
Read the official source ↗
2026
- Decision
- 4.6.2026
- Effective from
- 5.6.2026
Closure continues under a new decision
A new decision continues the closure of crossing points and centralisation of protection applications until further notice. It replaces the decision of 16.4.2025, which had equivalent legal effects.
Official source · SM/2026/42 ↗Explore more · Court proceedingsHow has the closure been challenged in court?
Border closure decisions have been challenged in Finnish courts. The ECtHR also has the case D. and Others v. Finland (16398/24). Explore the court proceedings and other work to reopen the border.
- Government proposal · HE 148/2026
Government proposes extension to the end of 2028
- Proposal submitted
- 3.9.2026
- Target effective date
- Proposed: no later than 31.12.2026
The Government proposes extending the border security act until 31.12.2028 without changing its other provisions. The date shown here is the submission date of the government proposal. The proposed effective date is not a confirmed date; the proposal is not presented here as an enacted law.
Read the official source ↗Explore more · Economic impactsWhat does a prolonged closure mean for the economy?
If the closure continues, the economic impacts of missing connections may also persist in Eastern Finland. Extending the act does not itself constitute a decision to extend the border closure. Explore local economic impacts and how to interpret the figures.
Scope, sources and currency
The timeline was checked on 15.10.2026. The most recent closure decision included is dated 4.6.2026. Each event links to its original official source.
Closing crossing points and the border security act are separate matters. Closure decisions are based on the Border Guard Act. Enacting or extending the act does not itself reopen crossing points or automatically mean the act is being applied. A government proposal is a proposal, not legislation in force.
The knowledge hub provides background information. Check current travel guidance and border crossing requirements with the authorities.