Finland is part of the Schengen area, and until now anyone wishing to visit the country has only needed a passport. This is set to change in 2024 when the Schengen authorities introduce the ETIAS. Based on the American model, this travel document will make staying in the Schengen area safer for residents and travellers. This article tells interested readers all they need to know about this visa.
Key facts about Finland in a nutshell
Finland is a parliamentary republic with Helsinki as its capital. It is one of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe. Approximately 5.5 million people live in an area of 338472 square kilometres, giving a population density of 16 million.
Finland became a member of the European Union in 1995. It is bordered by Sweden, Norway, Russia and the Baltic Sea.
A brief history of Finland
Archaeologists have found people in Finland since the last Ice Age, around 8500 BC. It is not known exactly where they came from. Later, other peoples migrated and mixed with the Finns.
Over the centuries, western Finland grew closer to Sweden, while eastern Finland established relations with Novgorod. Later, the two states competed for the territory inhabited by the Finns, culminating in several crusades in the area. Finally, part of Finland became Swedish territory as Österland.
In the 18th century Sweden's supremacy declined. Finland was occupied by Russia from 1714 to 1721.
The Fourth Coalition War (Russia with France against Great Britain with Sweden) turned into the Finnish War. This ended with Sweden having to cede territory to Russia. The Grand Duchy of Finland was created as part of the Russian Empire, but remained autonomous.
In the years that followed, a Finnish national consciousness developed. At the same time, the economy was booming. At the same time, Tsar Nicholas II wanted to make the empire more Russian. This led to conflict with Russia and a general strike in 1905 in the wake of the Russian Revolution.
After the October Revolution in 1917, the Russian peoples were able to declare independence, which Finland did on 6 December 1917. However, this was not without conflict and there was even a three-month civil war.
On 30 November 1939, Russia attacked Finland (the Winter War). In the peace treaty of 1940, Finland had to cede some territory. Finland later entered the Second World War alongside Germany and regained these territories. Afterwards, however, Finland was occupied again by Russia and had to cede the territories again.
After the war, Finland remained neutral, but at the same time sought rapprochement with the Soviet Union.
Finland maintained strong trade relations with the Soviet Union. The collapse of the Soviet Union plunged Finland into a severe economic crisis. From 1992, Finland negotiated its accession to the EU, which finally took place in 1995. On 1 January the euro replaced the Finnish mark.
The Finnish political system
Finland is a parliamentary republic. The current Constitution entered into force on 1 March 2000. It shifted power from the President of the Republic to the Parliament and the Government.
Parliament consists of a single chamber with 200 members. It is elected every four years on the basis of proportional representation. Anyone aged 18 or over is eligible to vote. Each voter has one vote, which is given to a candidate rather than a party.
The government is called the Council of State and is responsible to Parliament, which elects the Prime Minister. The prime minister appoints the ministers, who in turn are appointed by the president.
The president is elected directly by the people every six years.
How to enter Finland with ETIAS
If you are planning to travel to Finland, the first step is to fill in an ETIAS application online. It is best to do this some time before you travel, as the application is valid for three years. During this time, the tourist or business traveller can enter for 90 days within a 180-day period.
When filling in the application, all the required information must be copied correctly from the passport. An error may result in the border official refusing entry. Finland must be indicated as the destination. This is compulsory for the first trip, but not for subsequent trips.
Once the application has been submitted, it usually takes only a few hours for the application to be approved. In some cases, however, approval may be delayed. This can happen if there are ambiguities that need to be clarified. It is therefore advisable to complete the application as early as possible, so that in the event of a rejection (which should be rare), the traveller can at least apply for a visa.
By the way: If you don't have access to a computer or laptop, you can ask friends or an agency to fill in the application for you.
More security for travellers to Finland
ETIAS may be a nuisance for many who have travelled to Finland without the form, but it is important. The few minutes it takes to fill it in make Europe a safer place. This benefits the people in the Schengen area and therefore the travellers themselves.
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helsinki-g7f5808ae7_640.jpg
Finland is part of the Schengen area, and until now anyone wishing to visit the country has only needed a passport. This is set to change in 2024 when the Schengen authorities introduce the ETIAS. Based on the American model, this travel document will make staying in the Schengen area safer for residents and travellers. This article tells interested readers all they need to know about this visa.
Key facts about Finland in a nutshell
Finland is a parliamentary republic with Helsinki as its capital. It is one of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe. Approximately 5.5 million people live in an area of 338472 square kilometres, giving a population density of 16 million.
Finland became a member of the European Union in 1995. It is bordered by Sweden, Norway, Russia and the Baltic Sea.
A brief history of Finland
Archaeologists have found people in Finland since the last Ice Age, around 8500 BC. It is not known exactly where they came from. Later, other peoples migrated and mixed with the Finns.
Over the centuries, western Finland grew closer to Sweden, while eastern Finland established relations with Novgorod. Later, the two states competed for the territory inhabited by the Finns, culminating in several crusades in the area. Finally, part of Finland became Swedish territory as Österland.
In the 18th century Sweden's supremacy declined. Finland was occupied by Russia from 1714 to 1721.
The Fourth Coalition War (Russia with France against Great Britain with Sweden) turned into the Finnish War. This ended with Sweden having to cede territory to Russia. The Grand Duchy of Finland was created as part of the Russian Empire, but remained autonomous.
In the years that followed, a Finnish national consciousness developed. At the same time, the economy was booming. At the same time, Tsar Nicholas II wanted to make the empire more Russian. This led to conflict with Russia and a general strike in 1905 in the wake of the Russian Revolution.
After the October Revolution in 1917, the Russian peoples were able to declare independence, which Finland did on 6 December 1917. However, this was not without conflict and there was even a three-month civil war.
On 30 November 1939, Russia attacked Finland (the Winter War). In the peace treaty of 1940, Finland had to cede some territory. Finland later entered the Second World War alongside Germany and regained these territories. Afterwards, however, Finland was occupied again by Russia and had to cede the territories again.
After the war, Finland remained neutral, but at the same time sought rapprochement with the Soviet Union.
Finland maintained strong trade relations with the Soviet Union. The collapse of the Soviet Union plunged Finland into a severe economic crisis. From 1992, Finland negotiated its accession to the EU, which finally took place in 1995. On 1 January the euro replaced the Finnish mark.
The Finnish political system
Finland is a parliamentary republic. The current Constitution entered into force on 1 March 2000. It shifted power from the President of the Republic to the Parliament and the Government.
Parliament consists of a single chamber with 200 members. It is elected every four years on the basis of proportional representation. Anyone aged 18 or over is eligible to vote. Each voter has one vote, which is given to a candidate rather than a party.
The government is called the Council of State and is responsible to Parliament, which elects the Prime Minister. The prime minister appoints the ministers, who in turn are appointed by the president.
The president is elected directly by the people every six years.
How to enter Finland with ETIAS
If you are planning to travel to Finland, the first step is to fill in an ETIAS application online. It is best to do this some time before you travel, as the application is valid for three years. During this time, the tourist or business traveller can enter for 90 days within a 180-day period.
When filling in the application, all the required information must be copied correctly from the passport. An error may result in the border official refusing entry. Finland must be indicated as the destination. This is compulsory for the first trip, but not for subsequent trips.
Once the application has been submitted, it usually takes only a few hours for the application to be approved. In some cases, however, approval may be delayed. This can happen if there are ambiguities that need to be clarified. It is therefore advisable to complete the application as early as possible, so that in the event of a rejection (which should be rare), the traveller can at least apply for a visa.
By the way: If you don't have access to a computer or laptop, you can ask friends or an agency to fill in the application for you.
More security for travellers to Finland
ETIAS may be a nuisance for many who have travelled to Finland without the form, but it is important. The few minutes it takes to fill it in make Europe a safer place. This benefits the people in the Schengen area and therefore the travellers themselves.