Helsinki Airport: Transit Visa Requirements And Exemptions

Helsinki Airport is known for its excellent customer care, efficiency, and punctuality, with passengers frequently choosing it as one of the best airports in Europe. The airport is designed so that passengers can walk from one gate to another under the same roof, with separate areas for Schengen and non-Schengen flights. In terms of visas, Helsinki Airport follows European Union security regulations, including passport control for non-Schengen flights. For those with a connecting flight, a transit visa may be required, depending on nationality and whether one remains within the international zone.

Helsinki Airport's Schengen and non-Schengen areas

Helsinki Airport, officially known as Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, is the primary international airport serving the city of Helsinki, Finland. The airport has both Schengen and non-Schengen areas, which are clearly separated to facilitate international travel within and outside the Schengen zone.

The Schengen Area at Helsinki Airport includes dedicated gates, check-in counters, and lounges for flights within the Schengen Zone, which comprises 27 European countries that have abolished passport control at their mutual borders. Passengers travelling within the Schengen Area will go through security and passport control within this designated section. The Schengen Area also offers various services, including restaurants, shops, and cafes, providing passengers with relaxation and recreation options during their transfer.

On the other hand, the non-Schengen Area at Helsinki Airport serves flights departing to or arriving from countries outside the Schengen Zone. Passengers travelling to or from non-Schengen countries will go through separate passport control and security checks in this section. The gates and facilities for non-Schengen flights are distinct from those in the Schengen Area to ensure the proper separation of international and intra-Schengen passengers. Similar to the Schengen Area, the non-Schengen Area also provides passengers with access to restaurants, shops, and cafes, as well as other services.

Helsinki Airport is known for its efficient transfer process, with short transfer times and convenient connections between gates. The airport is designed to provide a smooth and stress-free experience for passengers, with all terminals located under one roof, allowing easy access between gates. Additionally, Helsinki Airport follows the European Union's (EU) security regulations, ensuring a safe travel experience for all passengers.

Transit requirements for non-EU citizens

Helsinki Airport is divided into two areas: one for Schengen flights and one for flights arriving and departing from non-Schengen countries. Passengers arriving from non-Schengen countries (excluding EU countries not part of the Schengen area, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Singapore) proceed to their connecting flights through security control.

If you are a non-EU citizen transiting at Helsinki Airport, you do not need a transit visa as long as you do not leave the international zone. However, there is passport control at the airport, and your passport may be checked at the gate to verify your identity and admissibility to your destination country. It is important to note that if you wish to leave the airport during your transit, you will need a regular short-stay Schengen visa, regardless of the length of your stay outside the airport.

If your connecting flight is not booked under the same reservation and ticket number, you will need to collect your luggage from the baggage claim hall and go through check-in and security control again. Make sure to allow enough time for this process and keep up with your airline's check-in schedule. If you have any items that require customs inspection, you can declare them at the Customs office opposite gate 29. For travellers from Norway or Iceland, customs declarations can be made using the phones located on the passenger bridges.

It is always a good idea to contact your airline directly to confirm the required documentation for your specific travel itinerary. Airlines are responsible for checking that you have the necessary paperwork and will not allow you to board if something essential is missing. They often use a service called Timatic to check the requirements, which you can also access for free.

Transit visa requirements for Indian citizens

Indian citizens transiting through Helsinki Airport do not need a transit visa if they are travelling from outside the Schengen area and continuing their journey outside the Schengen area. This is on the condition that they remain in the non-Schengen transit area of the airport during their stopover.

For Indian citizens who wish to enter the Schengen gate area, or leave the airport, a Schengen visa will be required. This applies even if the traveller holds a residence permit for another country, such as the UK, as the UK is not a member of the Schengen area.

It is important to note that some countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Iran, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, and Sri Lanka, do require an airport transit visa when travelling through Finland.

Additionally, the Schengen category A visa is a specific type of airport transit visa that allows its holder to transit through the international area of an airport during a stopover or flight connection. However, this type of visa is not required for Indian citizens.

Therefore, for Indian citizens transiting through Helsinki Airport, the key requirement is to remain in the non-Schengen area during their stopover to avoid the need for a transit visa.

Passport control at Helsinki Airport

Helsinki Airport is recognised for its excellent customer care, efficiency and punctuality. The airport is also known for its short transfer times, friendly atmosphere, and minimal crowding, queuing and stress. The whole airport is under one roof, so you can walk from one gate to the next with ease. The gate area is divided into two sections: one for Schengen flights and one for non-Schengen flights.

If you are travelling from a non-Schengen country (excluding EU countries that are not part of the Schengen area, as well as the UK, US, Canada and Singapore), you will need to go through security control to get to your connecting flight. You will also need to go through security control if your connecting flight is not booked under the same ticket number as your previous flight. In this case, you will need to collect your luggage and go through check-in and security control again, so be sure to allow enough time for the transfer. If you have any items that need to be declared to customs, you can do so at the Customs Office opposite Gate 29, or, if you are travelling from Norway or Iceland, you can make the declaration using the phones on the passenger bridges.

Helsinki Airport follows European Union security regulations, and passport control is carried out by the Finnish Border Guard. The airport provides automated border control gates to streamline the passport control process. To get a tax refund, you will need to go to the Customs Export Clearance service point in the arrivals hall and show your passport, flight information and purchases to a customs officer.

Short-stay visas for tourism outside the airport

Helsinki Airport is easy to navigate, with short transfer times and all gates under one roof. The airport is divided into two areas: one for Schengen flights and one for non-Schengen flights. If you are a citizen of a country that requires a visa to enter the Schengen area, you will need a regular short-stay Schengen visa to leave the airport during your layover. This is because a transit visa only allows you to change planes within the airport, and you cannot pass through immigration.

To leave the airport for tourism, you will need to meet the same entry requirements as someone seeking a short visit under the 90/180-day rule. This means that you can stay in the Schengen area for no more than 90 days in any 180-day period. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, and it is important to check the specific requirements for your nationality. For example, citizens of certain countries, such as Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia, can enter the Schengen area without a visa for stays of up to 90 days.

It is important to note that if your layover in Helsinki Airport involves an overnight stay, you may need to check with your airline to ensure you are allowed to transit without a Schengen visa. Additionally, if you plan to stay at the Airport Hotel (GLO), you will need a visa since it is outside passport control.

To obtain a short-stay visa for tourism outside the airport, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa before your trip. The application process may vary depending on your country of citizenship, so be sure to check the specific requirements for your country.

Frequently asked questions