The Ministry of the Interior published a draft bill on 13 July that would prolong Finland’s temporary Border Security Act—widely dubbed the “pushback law”—for a further two years, until 31 December 2028. The legislation, first passed in mid-2024, empowers border-guard officers to refuse entry and to channel asylum applications to designated crossing-points when there is a threat of so-called “instrumentalised migration”. Helsinki argues that Russia may again seek to create pressure on Finland and the EU by funnelling third-country nationals to the border, as happened in late 2023, when thousands of undocumented travellers appeared at normally quiet checkpoints. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said that the security services still consider the risk to be “high for the foreseeable future”; therefore the extraordinary powers must remain available. Under the bill, the Cabinet—not individual officers—would have to take a formal decision before the restrictions could be activated, and the measures would be time-limited and geographically defined. The proposal is now out for public consultation until 15 August; the Government aims to submit it to Parliament in early autumn so that the current act does not lapse at the end of 2026. Business-immigration practitioners should note that the draft preserves exemptions for bona-fide business travellers, EU citizens and individuals holding valid Finnish residence permits, but companies may again face ad-hoc closures of selected eastern checkpoints. Multinationals with staff or contractors transiting Russia are advised to keep alternative routings via air or maritime links on stand-by. Logistics firms should also prepare for spot inspections and documentary checks if the law is re-activated. EU-level reaction is likely: several MEPs criticised the original act for undermining the right to seek asylum. However, the Commission has so far refrained from launching infringement proceedings, arguing that the emergency measures have remained “proportionate”. Given the heightened security context since Finland joined NATO last year, observers expect Brussels to keep its response muted, at least while the consultation process is under way. Companies should nevertheless monitor potential court challenges that could suspend the act at short notice.
Source: Yle News
