As Finland continues construction of permanent border fences, more temporary barriers are likely to appear along the sparsely populated 1,300-kilometer border with Russia.
Evolving Border Strategy
A project is underway to build around 200 kilometers of fencing at key points along the border, but Finland does not intend to fence the entire boundary.
Finnish Border Guard Commander Kimmo Ahvonen recently stated that additional temporary barriers would likely be commissioned but declined to provide details on locations or construction.
Around 70% of the border area consists of coniferous and mixed forests, with lakes, sea, and other waterways comprising another 10%.
Existing temporary barriers use NATO razor wire, as did barriers at border crossings closed last autumn.
“Guarding the border is a package deal,” said Samuli Murtonen, Deputy Commander of the North Karelia Border Guard.“It involves patrolling, technical controls and aircraft, as well as various barrier structures.”
The Border Guard uses cameras, radar systems, and trained canines but declines to disclose specific security technologies.
Expert Support for Expanded Barriers
Jukka Savolainen, Community of Interest Director at the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE), endorses increased border security measures.
“Any obstacle can be a major security issue for Finland,” Savolainen said, noting that irregular migrants only need to cross a 10-meter opening to enter Finnish territory.
Savolainen argued that even temporary razor wire barriers serve the purpose of deterring easy European Union (EU) access via Finland.
“You can’t just walk through it,” he remarked.
However, Savolainen declined to advise the Border Guard on optimal barrier locations.
On Schedule for Permanent Fencing
Heikki Ahtiainen, Deputy Commander of the Southeastern Finland Border Guard, would not comment on temporary barrier construction plans.
Some temporary fences have arisen in areas slated for permanent fences.
The schedule remains unchanged for sections of permanent border fencing.
Construction should begin in late winter, with an estimated completion date of 2026 at a cost of around €380 million.
Last fall saw the completion of a three-kilometer test fence along the southeastern border.
The majority of the planned 200 kilometers of permanent fencing will be located in southeast Finland.
ETIAS Implementation Under Discussion
Finland’s evolving border security measures come ahead of the planned 2025 EU implementation of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
Once launched, visitors qualifying for visa-free Schengen Area travel must apply online for ETIAS authorization prior to departure.
With Russian neighbor and EU tensions escalating migrant issues, Finland’s bolstered boundaries could influence ongoing ETIAS policy talks regarding the Russian Federation’s inclusion.
As application requirements and eligible nations solidify, the recent border developments highlight Schengen countries’ heightened security concerns.
Weighing Impacts on Travel and Immigration
For EU citizens and approved ETIAS nationalities, travel to Finland should remain visa-free.
However, prospective immigrants from Russia could encounter additional challenges pending ETIAS details.
Strengthened borders signal that while tourists from all countries will likely access Finland without hindrance, future residents face rigorous external EU screening.
As border fence construction continues through 2026, the final structures will stand during early ETIAS years, serving as both physical and symbolic deterrents to unlawful immigration attempts post-launch.
With key border crossings barred since 2022, Finland’s resolve peaked just as the EU adjusts to ETIAS transformations.
Strengthening Border Security
As Finland moves forward with constructing permanent border fencing, additional temporary barriers provide an extra layer of security in the meantime.
Border Guard officials decline to disclose strategic details to maintain operational secrecy along the sparsely guarded boundary.
With only 10 meters separating Russian territory from EU soil in some areas, Finland aims to close gaps exploited by irregular migrants.
Experts argued that even rudimentary barriers serve as a powerful deterrent, buying time while permanent fences are erected over the next few years.
The stepwise bolstering of border control aims to safeguard EU borders by making illegal crossings as difficult as possible.
Whether further temporary or permanent, more barriers are likely to emerge along the forested and remote border.