Finland tightens visa rules for Russian athletes from 16 November

Finland's government has approved tighter visa rules for Russian citizens, including professional athletes, days before major winter competitions on Finnish soil. The amendments, adopted on 12 November 2026, narrow an exception that has allowed Russian athletes to enter on short work visas, and they take effect on 16 November 2026.

Key facts

• Effective date: 16 November 2026
• Who is affected: Russian citizens applying for short work-trip visas, including athletes competing as neutrals
• New condition: such work must be deemed "necessary for Finland's national interests"
• Existing visas: visas already issued will not be revoked
• Not changing: Finland is not stopping visa issuance to Russians altogether; several exceptions remain

What is changing?

The government adopted amendments to its decision-in-principle governing the entry of Russian citizens into Finland. That decision, originally adopted in 2023, states that travel by Russian citizens to Finland or through it to other Schengen countries without a valid reason harms Finland's international relations. Finland has not issued tourist visas to Russian citizens since then.

The 2023 document allowed several exceptions, among them one covering work trips of up to 90 days, under which Russian athletes could qualify for visas. Under the amendments, visas for short work trips will be issued only where the work is considered "necessary for Finland's national interests." The entry restrictions will also cover Russian athletes competing as neutrals.

Who is affected?

The change applies to Russian citizens seeking visas for short work trips, including professional athletes. Russian athletes are expected to compete at the Finlandia Trophy figure skating competition in Helsinki on 20–21 November, and at a cross-country skiing World Cup event in Ruka on 27–29 November.

Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said the deciding factor would be whether an athlete had already obtained a visa. Visas that have already been issued will not be revoked. Finland does not plan to stop issuing visas to Russians entirely, and several exceptions will remain.

Why is this happening?

Valtonen said the restrictions were intended to "protect Finland's international relations." She said Russia uses sport as a propaganda tool for its war of aggression, and noted that other EU countries have similar national restrictions.

Finnish authorities began discussing a ban on Russian athletes entering the country after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in October that Russia's national team must be reinstated in international ice hockey tournaments. The International Ice Hockey Federation criticised the ruling but said it intended to comply. Several ice hockey federations in Northern Europe, including Finland's, refused to play against Russia's national team at international tournaments.

What this means for travellers

Russian athletes and other Russian citizens planning short work trips to Finland should check whether their trip meets the new national-interest condition before applying, and confirm whether they already hold a valid visa, since existing visas remain valid. The change applies from 16 November 2026.

The amendments take effect on 16 November, ahead of the Helsinki and Ruka events later in the month. No further changes to Finland's visa policy for Russian citizens have been announced.