Finland VTL: Pre-departure COVID-19 test now required

Finland has become the latest Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) country to tighten its testing regime amidst the continued spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. 

From 21 December 2021, anyone arriving from a non-EU and non-Schengen country will be required to be fully vaccinated, and present a negative COVID-19 test issued less than 48 hours prior to entry into Finland. 

Travel to Europe is now a patchwork of requirements, with some countries reinstating pre-departure (and post-arrival in some cases) testing requirements, and others not requiring it at all.

Finland pre-departure COVID-19 test

Travellers from Singapore to Finland will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours of their arrival time in Finland (note that unlike most countries, the window refers to arrival time, not departure time).

Both PCR and antigen tests are acceptable, and the testing requirement applies to:

• those born in 2005 or earlier until 31 December 2021
• those born in 2006 or earlier from 1 January 2022.

The testing requirement does not apply to Finnish citizens or permanent residents of Finland, as well as those who enter the country for an essential reason (no, tourism isn’t essential). 

What’s also odd is that the testing requirement seems to be based on where you’re coming from, not your travel history. For example, a Singapore resident who travels to Germany and then onwards to Finland would not be required to present a negative COVID-19 test before entry into Finland. 

These new measures will be in force until 16 January 2022. 

Pre-departure antigen tests cost between S$21 to S$40 in Singapore, and if you’re pressed for time, you can even do an antigen test at Changi Airport just before flying at the Raffles Medical Clinic located at Terminal 3. 

Antigen tests at Raffles Medical cost S$30, but by entering the promo code SIARMGART (you don’t need to be flying on SIA to use this code) during booking, you can save 10% for a nett cost of S$27. 

For a detailed look at pre-departure testing costs in Singapore, be sure to bookmark the article below. 

Cheapest pre-departure COVID-19 ART and PCR tests in Singapore

Finland VTL: Overall testing regime

With the latest changes, here’s what the testing regime for round-trip travel to Finland will look like. 

For more information on the enhanced testing regime for VTL travellers to Singapore, refer to the article below.

Singapore to require daily COVID-19 ART swabs for all VTL travellers

Conclusion

While Finland’s new pre-departure test requirement adds one more thing to your to-do list, it shouldn’t pose too much burden by way of time or costs since the cheaper ART results are accepted too.

You could get this done for as little as S$21.40 at a Northeast Medical Group clinic, or just before your flight at Raffles Medical Changi Airport for S$27.