Rajavalvonta

Rajavalvonta (border surveillance) is the monitoring and control of a state's borders to regulate entry and exit, prevent illegal crossing, smuggling and cross-border crime, and support national security and public order. The term covers both day-to-day border-control activities and the government body responsible for them in Finland.

The Finnish Border Guard (Rajavartiolaitos) carries out these duties. Under the Ministry of the Interior, it conducts border checks at airports, seaports, and land crossings, and carries out maritime and coastal surveillance. Its work includes preventing illegal immigration and trafficking, enforcing customs and visa rules, and coordinating search-and-rescue operations in Finnish waters. It also collaborates with police, customs, and other authorities, and can provide support during emergencies or crises.

Legal framework and international context: Border surveillance is governed by Finnish law and, in many aspects, by European Union and Schengen rules. As a Schengen country, Finland generally allows free movement across internal borders but may temporarily reintroduce border checks in exceptional circumstances under EU law and national legislation. Cross-border cooperation with neighbouring countries and EU agencies is common, including information-sharing and joint patrols.