Finland moves to extend border security law through 2028 amid continued Russia concerns
Finland’s government has proposed extending a temporary border security law designed to counter Russia’s instrumentalization of migration until the end of 2028, saying the threat along the country’s eastern border remains high.
The law, which was last extended in 2025, allows the government under exceptional circumstances to restrict the reception of applications for international protection in designated areas along the border if other measures are insufficient to safeguard Finland’s sovereignty or national security.
“The threat of instrumentalized migration at Finland’s eastern border has remained high,” the Interior Ministry said, citing an assessment by the Finnish Border Guard that the situation has not substantially changed since 2025.
The government is not proposing changes to the substance of the law. The extension is expected to take effect no later than Dec. 31, 2026 and would keep the legislation in force through Dec. 31, 2028.
Finland’s land border crossings with Russia have been closed since December 2023. The government decided in June to keep the eastern border closed until further notice.
According to the Interior Ministry, closing the border crossings has so far been sufficient to stop instrumentalized migration, but authorities say they need to remain prepared for rapid and serious changes in the situation.
Finland closed its eastern border after a sharp increase in asylum seekers arriving through Russia in 2023. Finnish authorities have accused Moscow of deliberately directing migrants toward the border as a means of exerting pressure on the country.
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