Finland · Tourist Visa
Tourist and visitor visa requirements, visa-free entry, duration, and application steps.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Finland is in the Schengen Area, so tourist and business visits are generally limited to 90 days in any 180-day period. Visa-required nationals apply for a Schengen visa through Finland; visa-exempt nationals need no visa but must still meet the entry conditions. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is the official source for visa and entry guidance, and ETIAS is being introduced for visa-exempt travellers.
Finland is in the Schengen Area. Tourist and business visits are generally limited to 90 days in any 180-day period; visa-required nationals apply for a Schengen visa through Finland, while visa-exempt nationals must still meet entry conditions.
- Short-stay Schengen visas do not permit ordinary employment.
- The Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides official visa and entry guidance.
- ETIAS is being introduced for visa-exempt travellers; verify timing before travel.
- The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has operated at Schengen external borders since 10 April 2026: non-EU visitors are registered biometrically on entry and exit instead of having passports stamped.
- 1
Check your visa requirement
Check on the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs site whether your nationality needs a Schengen visa, and the ETIAS position.
- 2
Apply where Finland is your main destination
Apply through Finland when it is where you will spend most of the trip, or your first point of entry to the Schengen Area.
- 3
Book the appointment and submit biometrics
Submit the application at the Finnish mission or its authorised service provider, with fingerprints and photograph where required.
- 4
Prepare the standard Schengen file
Typically: application form, passport, photos, itinerary, accommodation, proof of funds and Schengen-compliant travel medical insurance.
- 5
Count your 90/180 days correctly
The limit is a rolling calculation across all Schengen countries combined, not per country. Track entries and exits across the whole area.
- Visa requirement and ETIAS status checked with the MFA
- Main-destination rule checked before choosing where to apply
- Appointment booked and biometrics given
- Itinerary, accommodation and funds documented
- Schengen-compliant travel medical insurance held
- No ordinary employment planned
- 90/180 day count tracked across all Schengen states
- Finland MFA — visa to visit Finland
Official Finnish Schengen-visa guide.
- ETIAS (official EU site)
Official EU travel-authorisation information.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply if Finland is one of several stops?
Apply through the country where you will spend the most time. If the stay is evenly split, apply through your first point of entry to the Schengen Area.
Do visa-exempt travellers need anything for Finland?
No visa, but the entry conditions still apply and ETIAS is being introduced. Check the Ministry for Foreign Affairs guidance close to your travel date, since the rollout timing has moved.
Can I work on a Finnish short-stay visa?
No. Short-stay Schengen visas do not permit ordinary employment. Working in Finland requires a separate residence permit for an employed person.
Government portals
- Suomi.fi — Finnish Public Services — Single portal for state services, official messages and authorisations.
- Vero — Finnish Tax Administration — Tax card, tax number for construction work, and the pre-completed return.
- Migri — Finnish Immigration Service — Residence permits for work and study, the specialist route, and citizenship.
- PRH — Patent and Registration Office — Business registration, trade names, trademarks and the company search.