Border zone permit

Applications for border zone permits should primarily be submitted electronically. You can apply for a border zone permit for yourself or for a group you represent. Online application requires strong electronic authentication through mobile banking codes or a certificate card, for instance. The electronic service will forward your application to the correct border guard district.

However, you can apply for a border zone permit also by printing out and filling in the relevant form. The paper form can be delivered to the Finnish Border Guard in person, by post, courier, agent or assistant. Should you choose to apply using the printout, deliver it to the border guard district whose operating area it mainly concerns.

Border zone permit applications are processed as follows:

• Lapland Border Guard District: Inari, Salla, Savukoski and Sodankylä
• Kainuu Border Guard District: Kuhmo, Kuusamo and Suomussalmi
• North Karelia Border Guard District: Ilomantsi, Joensuu, Kitee, Lieksa, Tohmajärvi and lake Pyhäjärvi within Parikkala municipality
• Southeast Finland Border Guard District: Imatra, Lappeenranta, Miehikkälä, Parikkala (excluding lake Pyhäjärvi within Parikkala municipality), Rautjärvi, Ruokolahti and Virolahti land area
• Gulf of Finland Coast Guard District: Hamina, Kotka and Virolahti sea area

You may be granted a border zone permit, if there is an acceptable reason for it and the permit is not likely to jeopardise maintenance of order along the border or ensuring effective border management. Acceptable reasons may include reasons related to residence, work, profession, livelihood, business or hobby. When an application for a border zone permit concerns a hobby, the applicant must specifically validate, why the actions should take place precisely in the border zone.

Please, attach proof of identity, contact details and validation for granting of permission to your border zone permit application.

Please note:

• Urho Kekkonen National Park, located in the municipalities of Savukoski, Sodankylä and Inari, is bordered by the national border. Moving and staying within the border zone require a border zone permit also in the Urho Kekkonen National Park.
• The easternmost point of Finland and of the European Union is in Ilomantsi municipality. You may visit the easternmost point without a border zone permit.