Government proposes the extension of the Border Security Act

The Government proposed to extend the validity of the Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration (‘Border Security Act’) until 31 December 2028.  The extension act will enter into force by 31 December 2026 at the latest, with the aim to combat instrumentalised migration, strengthen border security and ensure readiness for the most serious incidents of instrumentalised migration.

According to the Minister of the Interior, the situation remained stable since first extension in 2025 but the threat of instrumentalised migration remained high at Finland’s eastern border.

The Border Security Act governs the conditions under which the Government 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. A separate government decision is required to apply the act in a context where no other means are sufficient to safeguard the sovereignty or national security of Finland.

In addition, in June 2026, the Government decided to keep the Finland’s eastern border closed until further notice. The border crossing points are closed since 15 December 2023, and the necessity of the restrictions is monitored regularly.