Finland’s government is preparing to extend the country’s temporary border security law, according to reports by Helsingin Sanomat and Iltalehti, as officials argue that the threat of instrumented migration at the eastern border remains high.
The law, widely referred to in Finland as the “pushback law”, allows authorities to suspend asylum applications at certain border areas and turn people away without the normal right of appeal under specific circumstances linked to national security.
Interior Minister Mari Rantanen informed opposition parties about the government’s plans on Thursday, according to HS and Iltalehti, which first reported details of the proposed extension.
The Finnish government has not yet formally published the legislative proposal.
The temporary border security law entered into force in July 2024 after a heated parliamentary debate. The legislation was introduced following tensions between Finland and Russia over what Finnish authorities described as the organised movement of migrants toward the Finnish border.
The law was later extended until the end of 2026 after parliament approved the measure by 168 votes to 29.
Under the legislation, Finland can restrict the reception of asylum applications in limited border areas if authorities believe migration is being used as a tool of pressure against the state.
The government has argued that the law provides legal mechanisms needed to protect national security and respond to hybrid threats.
According to Iltalehti, the Interior Ministry is preparing a new extension so the law remains in force from January 2027 onward. The report said the government wanted the proposal completed quickly in order to send it out for consultation before parliamentary debate begins in the autumn.
The Finnish government reportedly believes the security situation at the eastern border has not changed enough to justify ending the temporary legislation.
Finland’s land border crossings with Russia have remained closed since December 2023 under government decisions. The latest closure order, issued in April 2024, remains in force indefinitely.
Applications for international protection have since been centralised at Finland’s open air and maritime border crossing points.
The law has divided political parties, especially the opposition Social Democratic Party, known as SDP.
When parliament voted on the measure in both 2024 and 2025, the Greens and the Left Alliance opposed the legislation. Six SDP lawmakers also voted against the bill on both occasions despite the party leadership supporting the government position.
The border law required a five-sixths parliamentary majority when first passed because it was treated as an exceptional measure under Finland’s constitutional framework.
HT