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Visa requirements for Russians traveling to Finland
Russian citizens must obtain a visa to travel to Finland. As a Schengen Area member, Finland requires Russian visitors to apply for a Schengen visa before their journey. This visa allows short-term stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, covering Finland and other Schengen states.
What documents do Russians need besides a visa?
To enter Finland, Russian citizens must carry:
- A passport valid for at least three months after leaving Finland and issued within 10 years.
- Financial proof, such as recent bank statements or sponsorship confirmation.
- Accommodation proof, such as a hotel booking or host invitation.
- A return or onward ticket.
- A detailed itinerary of their travel plans.
What can Russians do with a Schengen visa in Finland?
This visa is for short-term stays, allowing Russians to travel to Finland for tourism, business, or visiting family. It doesn’t permit working or settling in Finland long-term.
How long can Russian citizens stay in Finland under a Schengen visa?
With a Schengen visa, Russians can stay in Finland for up to 90 days within any 180-day window. Staying beyond this period can result in penalties or an entry ban.
Is health insurance required for Russians traveling to Finland?
Yes, it’s essential for Russian citizens applying for a Schengen visa to Finland to have valid health insurance. The insurance must:
- Provide at least €30,000 coverage for medical expenses.
- Be valid throughout all Schengen countries.
- Include coverage for emergency treatment and repatriation.
Visit World offers reliable and budget-friendly insurance plans that meet these requirements, ensuring your trip is worry-free.
How to get a Schengen visa for Finland:
1. Determine your visa type. Choose the purpose of your travel, such as tourism, business, or visiting family.
2. Fill in the visa application form. You can complete it online or download it in PDF format.
3. Gather necessary documents. Review the list of required paperwork in advance.
4. Book a visa appointment. Schedule your appointment at the Finnish consulate, embassy, or visa center in Russia.
5. Attend your appointment. Bring all documents and be ready for an interview if needed.
6. Pay the fee. The cost is €90 for adults and €45 for children under 12.
7. Wait for the result. Processing usually takes around 15 days but can extend during busy periods.
Pro tip: apply 30–45 days before your trip to allow enough time for processing.
Finland Schengen visa fees in 2024
- €90 for adults
- €45 for children aged 6–12
- Free for children under 6
For more, check the Finnish visa website.
What do Russian citizens need to apply for a Finland visa?
To apply for a Schengen visa, Russian citizens must provide the following:
- Visa application form, completed online or manually.
- A passport photo, meeting the Schengen requirements.
- A valid passport, with at least three months’ validity beyond your trip.
- Travel insurance, covering €30,000 minimum for medical emergencies.
- Accommodation proof, such as hotel bookings or a host’s letter.
- Flight reservations, proving round-trip or onward travel.
- Financial proof, like bank statements or sponsorship letters.
- A cover letter, explaining your travel purpose and plans.
- Proof of visa fee payment.
Consult your nearest Finnish embassy for additional requirements.
Can Russians extend their visa while in Finland?
Visa extensions are allowed only under strict circumstances, such as:
- Family emergencies, like a sudden funeral or wedding.
- Force majeure events, including natural disasters or political unrest in your home country.
- Health problems, such as illness or injury that prevents travel.
To request an extension, Russians must contact the Finnish police and provide supporting documentation, such as medical certificates or official letters. If you anticipate staying in Finland for more than 90 days for other reasons, a residence permit is required.
Residence permits:
Temporary permits (B) are issued for limited stays, while continuous permits (A) allow renewable long-term residence. Permanent permits (P) offer indefinite rights to live in Finland. EU long-term residents may be eligible for P-EU or P-EY permits. Applications must be submitted prior to travel.
The owner or authorized person is allowed to travel with no more than five dogs, cats or ferrets. Otherwise, the transport is considered a commercial movement.
The maximum number can exceed five animals, if certain conditions are met. In this case, the point of the trip should be to attend competitions, shows, sporting events or training sessions. The owner must provide proof of the incident, and the animals must be more than six months old. An official veterinarian no longer has to issue a health certificate in the TRACES system for such animal movements. Instead, for commercial movements, a medical certificate must be issued in the TRACES system.
The rules for transporting animals differ. If you are traveling from third countries with dogs, cats, or ferrets, you must meet the following requirements:
- Treatment of echinococcosis should be carried out at least 1 and no more than 5 days before the dog moves;
- The animal must be accompanied by a medical certificate in accordance with the EU sample issued by an official veterinarian;
- The health certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue;
- Owner's statement about the non-commercial nature of the move;
- Original vaccination documents or certified copies;
- When entering the EU, the owner or authorized person must contact the competent authority and present the animal's travel documents for verification. In Finland, these checks are carried out by customs authorities. Select the red line at Customs and provide the documentation to the customs officer.
You must have an animal passport and rabies vaccination.
If you are traveling from an EU country, you can read more about the requirements for transporting animals here.
You can find the requirements for transporting birds, rabbits, etc. by the link.
For owners of animals from Ukraine who are fleeing the war, there is a separate information page in Ukrainian language.
To rent a car in Finland, you must be at least 20 years old and have at least one year of driving experience. A driver's license issued in a member state of the European Union or the European Economic Area (EEA) is valid in Finland for driving vehicles of the same categories as specified in the license for the duration of its validity.
This rule applies regardless of whether the owner visits Finland as a tourist or has moved to a permanent place of residence. A temporary driver's license issued in the Scandinavian countries is also valid in Finland. As for the rest of the world, driver's licenses issued in other countries recognized by Finland are valid for drivers of categories A1, A2, A or B when visiting Finland as a tourist, if the license has not expired.
As a rule, the speed limit in Finland is 50 km/hour in localities and 80 km/h outside them. Both restrictions usually apply if there are no other speed limits. On major highways in summer, you can drive at a speed of 100 km/hour. On motorways, the summer limit is 120 km/hour. However, in winter, the speed on the highway decreases to 80 km/h, and on highways – to 100 km/hour.
Finland's embassies, consulates general and honorary consulates by country can be found here: https://um.fi/finland-s-representation-abroad-by-country.
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