Railway traffic between Tornio and Haparanda

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom and the Swedish Transport Agency (Transportstyrelsen) have agreed on the practical arrangements for railway traffic between Tornio and Haparanda. The agreement entered into force on 10 April 2026.

Single safety certificate covers cross-border traffic

If you intend to operate cross-border traffic, indicate it in your safety certificate application.

Operations from Finland to Haparanda

 A safety certificate granted for the area of operation in Finland is also valid on the 1524 mm rail network from the Finnish border to Haparanda border station. This requires that cross-border traffic has been taken into account in the safety certification process.

Railway undertakings must comply with Swedish national rules and other procedures applicable in Sweden concerning the operation of railway traffic. They must also have an insurance policy or equivalent arrangement covering liability arising from railway operations in Sweden.

How to apply:

• Fill in Swedish form RU5621.
• Attach the completed form to the safety certificate application.
• Attach proof of a valid insurance policy or equivalent arrangement to the application.

Operations from Sweden to Tornio

A safety certificate granted for the area of operation in Sweden is also valid on the 1435 mm rail network from the Swedish border to the Tornio border station. This requires that cross-border traffic has been taken into account in the safety certification process.

Railway undertakings must comply with Finnish national rules and other procedures applicable in Finland concerning the operation of railway traffic. They must also have an insurance policy or equivalent arrangement covering liability arising from railway operations in Finland.

How to apply:

• Fill in form RU5620.
• Attach the completed form to the safety certificate application.
• Attach proof of a valid insurance policy or equivalent arrangement to the application.

Driver training and qualifications

Operations on the 1524 mm rail network between Tornio and Haparanda

• Operations are conducted in accordance with Finnish operating rules. Traffic control is managed by Finland, and the operating language is Finnish. 
• The same applies to the 1524 mm tracks located on Sweden.
• Traficom grants approvals for railway training centers and examiners for the 1524 mm rail network on both sides of the border.

Operations on the 1435 mm rail network

• On the 1435 mm rail network, the rules and approval procedures of the state in which the operations take place are applied. 
• This is based on the Train Driver Directive 2007/59/EC.

Supervision relating to training and qualifications is carried out by the safety authority that granted the approval.  

Vehicle authorisations

For railway vehicles, it must be considered which rail network the vehicles will operate on and in which country it has been authorised.

Vehicles authorised in Finland

• 1524 mm vehicles authorised for the Finnish rail network may operate from the Finnish border to Haparanda under a vehicle authorisation valid in Finland. 
• This applies to the Haparanda station area, terminals and the related 1524 mm tracks.

Vehicles authorised in Sweden

• 1435 mm vehicles authorised for the Swedish rail network may operate from the Swedish border to Tornio under a vehicle authorisation valid in Sweden. 
• This applies to the Tornio station area, terminals and the related 1435 mm tracks.

Vehicles authorised previously on the basis of mutual recognition may operate in cross-border traffic as follows:

• Vehicles authorised in Finland before 1991 may operate on the 1524 mm rail network from the Finnish border to Haparanda. 
• Vehicles authorised in Sweden before 1995 may operate on the 1435 mm rail network from the Swedish border to Tornio.

Supervision

The Finnish and Swedish safety authorities are responsible for supervision relating to the rail network and railway operations within their respective geographical territories.