QR code

A QR code is a two-dimensional pattern code which contains pre-defined and stored information and is often the fastest way for the authorities to process information. Some countries require passengers arriving in the country to fill out either a Health declaration form or a Passenger locator form on their website before the trip, after which they will send a square shaped QR code to your smartphone or as an email, as a sign of acceptance. The QR code received is an indication that the authorities have processed the form you have completed on the website and all the information about your trip is saved on the QR code. The authorities in each country have their own application or a scanner that can read the QR code sent to you and the information it contains. Some countries require that the necessary forms need to be completed no later than the day before travel, so that they have time to process your application and send you the QR code. For further information and assistance with the QR-code, kindly check the website of the authorities, or contact the applicable embassy or consulate of your destination country. 

Health locator form

Some countries require advance information about your health status to be able to do their own coronavirus tracking and therefore ask you to fill out a health form. The health form is also known as a Health locator form or a Health declaration form and it can be found on the authority’s website of the destination country. The forms mainly include questions relating a possible coronavirus illness and the symptoms involved. If the form asks about your seat number on the flight, you can either fill in the form in parts and return to complete the seating information later, or fill in the form only after you have checked in for the flight. For further information and assistance with the Health locator form, kindly check the website of the authorities, or contact the applicable embassy or consulate of your destination country.

Passenger locator form

To ensure safe travel, the authorities of some countries want to record the location of tourist accommodations as well as their flight data for possible exposures and data analysis. The entry form is known as a Passenger locator form (PLF), and for many countries it cannot be filled in until closer to the date of travel. It is important to note that a pre-filled PLF is required for entry in many countries, and therefore the form often needs to be checked by the airline already at the departure gate of your flight. For further information and assistance with the Passenger locator form, kindly check the website of the authorities, or contact the applicable embassy or consulate of your destination country.

Coronavirus test certificate

If the destination country requires a negative coronavirus test certificate, you must take a coronavirus test before your trip. Depending on the regulations of the country, the test must be taken either 24, 48 or 72 hours before the trip or arrival in the destination country. According to the general instructions, the certificate must state your name as in your travel document, the result of the test and the test method used, the date and time of sampling, and the name and / or company of the person who carried out the test. Please read carefully the instructions of the authorities of the destination country regarding the coronavirus test to be taken before the trip. You can find information on the websites of the authorities, embassy or consulate of your destination country and on Finnair travel requirements map. If you are a national or resident of Finland, you can get an EU-approved coronavirus certificate at omakanta.fi.

Coronavirus vaccination certificate

As the vaccination coverage increases, it is possible to travel to many countries without a prior coronavirus test if you have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. When traveling to a country that accepts a vaccination certificate, you should be able to show official proof that you have been vaccinated against the coronavirus. If the vaccine requires many doses, the last dose should usually be received no later than two weeks before travel. Please refer to the guidelines of the authorities of the destination country regarding the vaccine requirements. You can find information on the websites of the authorities, embassy or consulate in your destination country and on the Finnair travel requirements map. If you are a national or resident of Finland, you can get an EU-approved coronavirus vaccination certificate at omakanta.fi. The certificate shows the name of the most recently received vaccine, date of administration, number of doses, and your name and date of birth. If you are a citizen of another country, please check the website of the authorities in your home country for more information.

Coronavirus recovery certificate

If you have been ill with but already recovered from the coronavirus within the last 6 months, you may not need a vaccination or a negative coronavirus test certificate. Several countries also accept a certificate stating that you have had the coronavirus infection, this certificate is knows as a Recovery certificate. You can find information on the websites of the authorities, embassy or consulate of your destination country and on the Finnair travel requirements map. If you are a national or resident of Finland, you can get an EU-approved coronavirus recovery certificate at omakanta.fi.

EU Digital Covid Certificate

You can use the EU Digital Covid Certificate to prove your coronavirus certificate status at border crossings in EU and Schengen countries. The EU Digital Covid Certificate can contain three different certificates: a coronavirus vaccination certificate, a certificate of a negative coronavirus test result and a certificate of recovery from the coronavirus. As a Finnish national or resident, you can access your EU Digital Covid Certificate through My Kanta Pages. For other nationalities, please check your government websites for more information. Read more on My Kanta pages here or on the website of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.