Europe
Finland
Calm, safe and very functional: Helsinki design and saunas, thousands of lakes and Lapland's snow. Finns are reserved but helpful, English works everywhere, and winters are long and dark.
- US travel advisoryLevel 1Exercise normal precautionsDetails
- Visa93 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyEURUS$1 ≈ €0.89Details
- Price level85%of US prices (World Bank PPP)Details
- English5/5Spoken almost everywhereDetails
- PlugsType C, F230 V, 50 HzDetails
- Emergency112Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
- Tap waterYes, drinkableExcellent tap water nationwide; refill bottles anywhere.Details
- LGBTQ+Marriage equalityAccepting, especially in Helsinki; Helsinki Pride in late June is the biggest event.Details
- Internet169 MbpsMedian fixed broadband · mobile 117 MbpsDetails
- DrivingOn the rightEU/EEA licences are valid; most others work for visits if in Latin script, otherwise carry an IDP.
Where to go in Finland
4 places with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
When to visit Finland
June–August for lakes, islands and white nights; December–March for Lapland snow, huskies and auroras. November is dark and slushy.
Good to know
Entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors give fingerprints and a face photo to the Entry/Exit System (EES) on first entry.
- ETIAS pre-travel authorisation isn't required yet and has no confirmed start date; check the EU site before you fly.
- Finland's land border crossings with Russia have been closed since late 2023.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinks over 8% are sold only at Alko; shops stop selling alcohol at 21:00.
- Speeding fines scale with income and can be huge.
- The drink-driving limit is 0.5‰.
Etiquette
- Saunas are usually nude and single-sex; sit on a towel.
- Silence is comfortable; no need to fill every pause.
- Take shoes off in homes.
- Wait for the green light, even on empty streets.
Tipping
Not expected; service is included. Rounding up for excellent service is a kind gesture.
Neighbouring countries
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Finnish Immigration Service (Migri)
- EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
- Speedtest Global Index, Aug 2026
- VR
- Alko
- Bolt in Helsinki
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.