Passport requirements for travel to Åland

Nordic citizens do not need a passport or travel documents to travel between the Nordic countries. If necessary, it must still be possible to prove one’s identity with a valid identity document, as countries may introduce temporary border controls. In certain situations, a driving licence may be accepted as proof of identity, but driving licences are not generally regarded as a valid form of identification when travelling.

Always check what types of identity documents are accepted when travelling, as this may vary between transport operators depending on the mode of transport used, such as a ferry or a flight. The webpage Visa requirement and travel documents accepted by Finland lists the accepted travel documents for Nordic citizens.

Citizens of EU or Schengen countries must hold a valid passport or national identity card when travelling to Finland or Åland. Children must also have their own passport or national identity card on entry. Normally there are no border checks when travelling within the Schengen Area. However, countries may introduce temporary border controls, which means that identity documents must be presented when crossing the border. 

Citizens of other Schengen countries may stay in Finland and Åland for up to three months without registering their right of residence. If the stay is longer than three months, Schengen nationals must register their right of residence with the Finnish Immigration Service. Read more about travelling within the Schengen Area and what travel documents are required for EU citizens.

Citizens of countries outside the EU need a valid passport to travel to or within the EU and, in some cases, a visa as well. Children must also have their own valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure and must not be more than ten years old at the time of entry. At border control, additional documents may be required, such as a return ticket or details of your accommodation. The specific requirements can be obtained from the embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting. Find out more about travel documents for citizens from non-EU countries on Your Europe. 

The Schengen countries have common rules on which nationals require a visa, but each country decides for itself which passports and travel documents are accepted for nationals of the various countries. Information on visas for Finland and Åland and on what travel documents are accepted is available on the website of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

People holding an alien’s passport or a travel document for refugees can find more information on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service.

When travelling to countries outside the Nordic region, you will need a valid passport or other approved travel document. The Your Europe website provides information on the travel documents required for travel within the EU and Schengen countries, as well as the documents needed to travel to or from a country outside the EU and the Schengen area.

People with a Finnish residence permit or a residence card for family members of EU citizens may travel visa-free within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. A Finnish residence permit only entitles the holder to visa-free travel within the Schengen area; a visa may be required for travel outside the Schengen area. Further information is available on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service.