Finland reinstates week-long border control ahead of Biden's visit

The government on Thursday decided that Border Guard would enhance border security at Finland's external and internal borders from July 8 to 15 July, said Ministry of the Interior in a press release.

President Sauli Niinistö will host United States President Joe Biden's visit to Finland and the US-Nordic Leaders’ Summit in Helsinki on 13 July 2023.

Border control will be reinstated temporarily at Finland's internal borders due to the visit. Internal borders are the borders between countries in the Schengen Area.

Border control will not be carried out on all passengers, but targeted according to the authorities' assessment.

Those crossing the internal border must be prepared for border checks at border crossing points.

The decision does not change the obligation to carry travel documents. When travelling within the Schengen area, travellers must always carry a passport or an identity card.

The Schengen Area covers 27 European countries, which normally do not have travel restrictions or border controls between countries. The countries applying the Schengen acquis control the common external border, which contributes to ensuring the security of the area of free movement (Schengen Area).

Internal border control has been temporarily reinstated in connection with earlier high-level visits or events, too, the press release added.