Island nation or hub? EU funding available for cross-border connections

• Category:News
• 15.12.2025

The European Commission plans to double transport funding through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) in the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, bringing the total to €81 billion. This offers opportunities for cross-border transport projects. CEF funding is intended, among other things, to support the implementation of the TEN-T regulation, which came into force at the beginning of 2024 and aims to modernize the European transport network. The TEN-T network connects the most important roads, railways, ports, and airports. Maps(you are switching to another service) on the Traficom website show the portion of the network in Finland.

Finland accelerates cross-border transport projects
In the CEF proposal published in summer 2025, only one project from Finland made it to the priority list (Umeå–Luleå–Oulu). After long-term advocacy, the European Council added key Finnish projects to the list on 15 December, such as the continuation of Rail Baltica from Tallinn to Tampere via Helsinki, and the transport corridor from Stockholm to Helsinki via Turku. These projects benefit Europe as growth engines and enablers of military mobility.

“We have worked purposefully for several years to advance this issue. Next, we need to ensure that the Airport Rail, West Railway, and Tallinn connection are ready for future applications,” commented Tuija Telén, Regional Director of Uusimaa.

The Helsinki EU Office and the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) organized a related event, “Safe and Connected: Linking the FinEst Region to Europe,” in Brussels on 11 December, focusing on transport connections in the Baltic Sea region. The discussion emphasized cross-border projects, dual-use infrastructure (civil and military needs), and the strategic importance of EU funding.

At the event, Herald Ruijters, Deputy Director-General of DG DEFIS (The Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space), highlighted the importance of Rail Baltica and noted that the continuation of the project to Finland is a priority. Former Estonian Prime Minister and Member of the European Parliament Jüri Ratas stressed the significance of crisis resilience and strategic autonomy. Good connections between Finland and the Baltic countries enhance Europe’s overall security. “If the countries in the Baltic Sea region do not advocate their strategic interests within the EU, we cannot expect other countries to do it on our behalf,” Ratas stated.

Mayor of Vantaa Pekka Timonen also emphasized the importance of the Helsinki–Tallinn tunnel and the role of Helsinki-Vantaa Airport as part of the broader network. Timonen noted that the Europe Tunnel connecting Finland and Estonia should be built as soon as possible.

Helsinki-Uusimaa region as a European hub
Helsinki-Uusimaa’s strong position as a European innovation area and transport hub makes it strategic for both Finland and the EU. As Tuija Telén stated at the event on 11 December:

“Helsinki-Uusimaa is one of Europe’s most innovative regions and Finland’s engine. We are a critical junction in the EU transport network and strengthening it serves the entire Union.”

From Finland’s perspective, it is particularly important that key corridors and rail projects such as Highways 25 and 15, the Airport Rail, and the West Railway have been incorporated into the TEN-T network. This underscores Helsinki-Uusimaa’s role, as the region hosts Finland’s only triple TEN-T corridor intersection, including the Port of Helsinki, Helsinki–Vantaa Airport, and the Helsinki urban node. Both the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council and the six major cities in the region—including Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa—have highlighted these connections in consultations organized by the European Commission on CEF. The significance of the Helsinki urban node for connections toward the Baltics and Sweden was also emphasized by Mayor of Helsinki Daniel Sazonov in Helsingin Sanomat on 10 December(you are switching to another service).

The EU’s goal to connect major airports to the long-distance rail network by 2040 also positions the Airport Rail as a key project for Helsinki-Uusimaa. The Airport Rail would link the mainline at Kerava to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and onwards to Pasila.