Finland

   ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS

• Passports must have at least three months validity remaining beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen Area. Six months is recommended.
• Beginning November 10, 2024, the EU Entry/Exit system (EES) will replace the physical stamping of passports when you go through passport control in the EU/Schengen area. Non-EU nationals will be required to provide their passports as well as have a photo of their face taken and their fingerprints scanned each time they cross the external borders of a country in the EU. Everyone, regardless of age, will need to go through the EES checks. Children under 12 will not need to provide fingerprints; however, they will still need to have a facial scan taken. Learn more at europa.eu/ees

VISA REQUIREMENTS

• US citizens visiting Finland for tourism or business purposes for less than ninety days over a period of six months are not required to obtain a visa prior to arrival.
• Proof of accommodation, financial means, and onward travel may be required on arrival.
• Please note: Beginning in late 2026, all U.S. citizens traveling to the European Union (EU) will need to apply for ETIAS travel authorization ahead of their departure through the official ETIAS website or the ETIAS mobile app. Applications costs EUR 7, though children under 18 and adults over 70 are exempt from paying the application fee. Approval will generally be delivered via email within minutes of submission.
  • Once approved, the ETIAS travel authorization will allow you to enter the EU as often as you want for short-term stays, normally up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The authorization is linked to your passport and is valid for up to three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

• Read more at: US Department of State Profile for Finland

LANGUAGE

• Finnish, Sami, and Swedish are the official languages of Finland.
• English is widely spoken in Finland.

CURRENCY

• The unit of currency in Finland is the Euro (EUR).
• Credit cards are widely accepted, but it is recommended to carry cash in small towns and rural areas.

TIME ZONE:

UTC +2 (+3 in Daylight Saving Time)

VOLTAGE:

230V, 50Hz

PLUG TYPE:

Finland uses the Type F plug.

IMPORT & EXPORT RESTRICTIONS

For passengers arriving with goods purchased from within the European Union (EU) for personal use, there is no limit on the quantity of purchases made, inclusive of tax, in the shops of an EU Member State. The purchases may be brought to Finland, provided these goods are for the travelers’ own, or their families’, consumption or brought as a non-commercial gift.

For passengers arriving from non-EU Member States, free import is allowed of:

• Tobacco products (passengers over age 17)
• 200 cigarettes, 100 cheroots, 50 cigars, 250g of tobacco, or a proportional assortment

Alcoholic beverages (passengers over age 20; passengers over age 18 are allowed to carry only alcoholic beverages with max. 22% vol.):

• 1L of spirits over 22% volume or non-denatured ethyl alcohol with more than 80% volume
• 2L of spirits or aperitifs made of wine or similar beverages less than 22% volume or sparkling or liqueur wines, or a proportional mix of these products
• 4L of still wine
• 16L of beer

Other goods:

• Food, fruits, medication, and flowers for personal use
• Medicines in quantities sufficient for personal requirements
• Other goods up to a total value of EUR 430 per adult or EUR 90 per passenger under age 15

There are no restrictions on the importation or exportation of foreign or local currency if arriving from or departing to another EU country. If arriving directly from or departing directly to a non-EU country, amounts exceeding the value of €10,000 in foreign or local currency, including traveler’s checks, must be declared.

• For detailed import and export regulations, please consult the IATA Travel Centre.

   TRAVELERS’ HEALTH & SAFETY

REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS

• Please visit the CDC.gov website for recommended immunizations to visit Finland.

OTHER SAFETY NOTES

LOCAL LAWS AND CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

   GRATUITIES

In Finland, tipping is preferred in Euros (EUR, €).

However, tipping is not customary or expected in Finland and is usually only done for groups. These guidelines are for situations in which you feel someone has gone above and beyond to provide exemplary service. Note: Porter service is usually only offered to groups.

• Porter: €10 per group
• Transfers: €10 per transfer
• Hotel housekeeping: €10 per room per day
• Driver – full day: €15 per group per day
• Driver – half day: €5 per group per day
• Guide – full day: €20 per group per day
• Guide – half day: €10 per group per day
• Taxi fares: Round to nearest Euro
• Restaurants: 10% of the bill

A service charge is typically included in restaurant bills. However, leaving small change or rounding up the bill is appreciated if you were satisfied with the service. In some cases, locals might leave a 5-10% tip for exceptional service.

   WEATHER

Finland experiences a temperate climate with distinct seasons. Keep in mind that these are general trends, and weather conditions can vary from year to year. Additionally, the regional variations within Finland can be significant, with coastal areas experiencing milder winters compared to inland and northern regions.

Winter (December to February):

• Winter is cold and snowy, especially in the northern parts of the country.
• Temperatures can drop well below freezing, with the possibility of extreme cold in Lapland. Snow cover is common, making it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts.

Spring (March to May):

• Spring is a transitional period with gradually warming temperatures.
• Snow starts to melt, and the landscape begins to green up.
• March can still be cold, but by May, temperatures are generally milder.

Summer (June to August):

• Summer is relatively short but brings milder and warmer temperatures.
• Daylight hours are long, especially in the northern parts, where the phenomenon known as the "midnight sun" occurs.
• Average temperatures range from comfortable to warm, with occasional heatwaves.

Autumn (September to November):

• Autumn is characterized by decreasing temperatures and the changing colors of the leaves.
• September can still be relatively mild, but by November, colder temperatures return.
• Rain is more common in the fall, and the days gradually become shorter.