Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Finland depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for FinlandEmergency Numbers
- General
- 112
Currency
- Name
- Euro
- Code
- EUR
- Symbol
- €
Finland uses the Euro. ATMs widely available. Cards accepted almost everywhere — Finland is one of the world's most cashless societies.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type C, Type F
- Voltage
- 230V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
EET (UTC+2) — EEST (UTC+3) in summer
Best Time to Visit
Two seasons to visit: June–August (midnight sun — the sun doesn't set in Lapland for weeks; Helsinki's design district, island archipelago, and sauna culture at their best) and December–February (northern lights, snowmobiling, reindeer safaris in Lapland, Rovaniemi's Santa Claus Village). September–October is aurora season begins.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | Not expected | Finns don't tip — rounding up is occasionally done but never expected |
| Taxis | Not expected | — |
Dress Code
- Casual throughout
- Warm, layered clothing essential for Lapland winter (temperatures to −30°C)
Social Etiquette
- Finland has been ranked the world's happiest country for six consecutive years — the Finnish concept of sisu (resilience, determination, stoicism) and a deep connection to nature underpin this
- The sauna is sacred in Finland — there are 3.2 million saunas for 5.5 million people; sauna culture is UNESCO-listed; entering a Finnish sauna is the deepest form of trust and intimacy
- The midnight sun (in Lapland, the sun doesn't set from late May to late July) is disorienting and extraordinary — light at 3am is not unusual
- Silence is comfortable in Finland — small talk is not required and long silences in conversation are normal
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- LGBTQ+ rights: Finland legalised same-sex marriage in 2017; full equality
- Alcohol: beer and wine sold in supermarkets; spirits only at Alko state stores
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Finnish) | Hei / Moi | HAY / MOY — both are casual hello; Finnish has no formal register |
| Thank you (Finnish) | Kiitos | KEE-tohs — the most important Finnish word |
| Cheers! (Finnish) | Kippis! | KIP-pis — 'bottoms up!' |
| Sauna (Finnish) | Sauna | SOW-nah — NOT 'SAW-nah'; this is a Finnish word and Finns notice the mispronunciation |
| Resilience (Finnish concept) | Sisu | SEE-soo — Finland's untranslatable quality of stoic determination |
Plan Your Trip
Planning a trip to Finland?
Traveller builds your personalised packing list, checklist, and travel brief in seconds.
Plan this trip with Traveller