Turku Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
As part of the Schengen Area, Finland follows common visa policies. Visa requirements depend on your nationality and the purpose and length of your stay.
Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland can enter and stay indefinitely with freedom of movement rights
Valid national ID card or passport required. No visa or entry stamps needed.
Citizens of certain countries can enter the Schengen Area without a visa for short stays
Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended departure from Schengen Area and issued within the last 10 years. Cannot work on visa-free entry.
From 2025, visa-exempt travelers will need ETIAS authorization before entering Schengen Area
Cost: €7 for adults (free for those under 18 and over 70)
ETIAS is not a visa but a travel authorization. Does not change the 90/180-day rule. Implementation date to be confirmed—check official sources.
Citizens of countries not eligible for visa-free entry must apply for a Schengen visa
Visa application fee approximately €80 for adults, €40 for children 6-12, free for children under 6. Processing takes up to 15 days, sometimes up to 30-60 days in exceptional cases. Nationalities requiring visa include China, India, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, and many others.
Arrival Process
Upon arrival in Turku by air or sea, travelers go through passport control and customs. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens use separate lanes with minimal checks, while non-EU travelers undergo standard immigration procedures.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Finland's customs regulations distinguish between travelers arriving from EU countries and those from non-EU countries. Stricter limits apply to arrivals from outside the EU, while more generous allowances exist for intra-EU travel.
Prohibited Items
- Illegal drugs and narcotics - strictly forbidden with severe penalties
- Weapons and ammunition without proper permits - including knives with blades over certain length
- Counterfeit goods - fake designer items, pirated media
- Endangered species products - ivory, certain animal skins, exotic plants without CITES permits
- Meat and dairy products from non-EU countries - with few exceptions, to prevent disease
- Certain plants and plant products - soil, certain seeds, and plants from non-EU countries
- Fireworks and explosives - without special authorization
- Offensive materials - hate speech materials, certain violent content
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications - bring only personal amounts with prescription/doctor's letter; some medications illegal in Finland
- Pets - require pet passport, microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate (see special situations)
- Drones and radio equipment - may require permits or registration
- Professional equipment - cameras, laptops for professional use may need temporary import documentation
- Large amounts of cash - must be declared if €10,000 or more
- Alcohol and tobacco above duty-free limits - subject to customs duties and taxes
- Cultural artifacts and antiques - may require export permits from country of origin
Health Requirements
Finland has high health and safety standards. There are minimal mandatory health requirements for entry, but travelers should ensure adequate health coverage.
Required Vaccinations
- None for most travelers
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate required only if arriving from yellow fever endemic countries within 6 days of exposure
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations (MMR, DTP, influenza)
- Tick-borne encephalitis if planning extensive outdoor activities in forests during summer
- Hepatitis A and B for extended stays
Health Insurance
Travel health insurance is strongly recommended for all visitors and mandatory for visa applicants (minimum €30,000 coverage including medical evacuation and repatriation). EU/EEA/Swiss citizens should bring European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for access to Finnish public healthcare at reduced rates. Non-EU travelers will pay full price for healthcare services without insurance.
Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children must have their own passport (EU children can use ID cards if EU citizens). Minors traveling without both parents should carry a notarized letter of consent from absent parent(s), especially if traveling with one parent or other adults. Divorced parents may need custody documentation. Unaccompanied minors require special airline arrangements and documentation. Child trafficking concerns mean border guards may ask detailed questions about children's travel.
Pets from EU countries need: EU pet passport, microchip, valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before entry), and treatment against tapeworm (dogs only, 1-5 days before entry). Pets from non-EU countries need: microchip, rabies vaccination, rabies antibody test (at least 30 days after vaccination, 3 months before entry), health certificate, and tapeworm treatment. Maximum 5 pets per person. Certain breeds may be restricted. Birds and exotic animals have additional requirements. Check Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) for detailed pet import rules.
Tourist stays limited to 90 days per 180-day period for visa-free nationals. For longer stays, study, or work, you must apply for appropriate residence permit from Migri before arrival or within 90 days of arrival (EU citizens). Work permits required for non-EU citizens before starting employment. Students need acceptance letter from Finnish institution. Family reunification permits available for joining family members. Processing times vary from weeks to months. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can stay longer but should register with local authorities if staying over 90 days.
Business visitors on short trips (meetings, conferences, negotiations) can enter on tourist visa/visa-free entry but cannot engage in paid work. Bring invitation letter from Finnish company, proof of business relationship, and evidence you'll return home. For actual work, employment-based residence permit required. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can work freely without permits.
Passengers transiting through Turku Airport without leaving international zone generally don't need visa if staying under 24 hours. However, some nationalities require airport transit visa even without entering Finland. Check if your nationality requires Schengen airport transit visa. If leaving airport or traveling to Turku city during layover, normal entry requirements apply.
Cruise passengers arriving at Port of Turku may disembark for day visits. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can freely disembark. Visa-free nationals can usually disembark without issues if cruise is within 90-day limit. Some nationalities may need Schengen visa even for cruise stops. Carry passport when disembarking. Ship may hold passports during port stay but ensure you have ID.