Let’s work together responsibly – also during the European Football Championship

The European Football Championship is about to begin, and Finland will play its first match against Denmark on 12 June in Copenhagen. Finland will meet Russia on 16 June and Belgium on 21 June in St. Petersburg.

The coronavirus pandemic is still ongoing and at the moment many countries suffer from a large number of infections. Thousands of people from different countries gather at the championship venues, which increases the risk of coronavirus infections.

The rules for travelling to the European Championship are the same as for other travel. All travel abroad should be limited to essential travel.

It is best to enjoy the games at home.

However, if you do travel on site, you should carefully follow the instructions given by the authorities.

If you are travelling:

• Check the current entry rules both in Finland and the destination country. The instructions can change quickly.
•  You travel at your own risk. If you fall ill or are hospitalised while abroad, this will cause extra costs and delays.
• Before leaving Finland, obtain a negative coronavirus test certificate. This test certificate must be obtained from a private health service at your own expense. Please note that the certificate is valid for 72 hours.
• Find out in advance if the transport company requires a negative test result to be able to travel back to Finland, and also where such a test can be taken, if needed, while abroad.
• Use the FINENTRY service to facilitate your smooth return to Finland. Create IDs for yourself in the service before you leave. For example, you can use the service to book a time for yourself to take a coronavirus test when you return.

Please note that when you return to Finland, you may have to take the following issues into consideration:

• A health check at the border.
• A coronavirus test at the border if you do not have a valid certificate of a negative test result. The certificate cannot be more than 72 hours old.
• A new coronavirus test, at your home or place of stay, no sooner than 72 hours after your return to Finland. In order to speed up your border crossing, it is advisable to book the test through the FINENTRY service. If you have not used the service, you must provide your personal and contact information to the health authority at the border so that they can direct you to this test. 
• A strong recommendation to voluntarily avoid contact with members others than your own household, in other words self-quarantine until you receive a negative test result for the second test. If necessary, the physician responsible for infectious diseases in a particular municipality or hospital district may also place a person arriving in the country into compulsory isolation or quarantine. 
• Make sure you have valid travel insurance.
• Submit a travel notification to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in case of an emergency or crisis situation. 
• Prepare for delays on the way and for long waits at the border.
• Don't travel if you are ill. If you have any symptoms of a coronavirus infection, have yourself tested and otherwise stay at home.
• Follow the general coronavirus precautions throughout your time away: wash your hands, cough into your sleeve, use a mask and keep the safety distance.

More information:

Travel and the coronavirus pandemic

Travel instructions in different languages

FINENTRY service

Travel notification for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Embassy of Finland, Copenhagen

Regional State Administrative Agency