Finland Facts & FAQ

When and where can I see the Northern Lights?

In northern Lapland the lights shine about every other clear night between August and April. In southern Finland they are visible on about 10-20 nights a year. Auroral activity peaks often occur at the beginning and the end of the season.

How about the Midnight Sun?

Also in Lapland. In Utsjoki, the very north of Finland, the sun stays above the horizon for more than two months between mid-May and late July. In southern parts of Lapland, the sun stays up constantly for a month in June-July. However, nights are white throughout the country for most of the summer.

What about temperatures – how cold does it get and will there be snow?

During the winter months, temperatures can drop as low as –35 degrees Celsius. Luckily, this is not the norm: regular winter temperatures fall somewhere between –5 and –15.

In the summer, it gets as hot as 30 degrees Celsius, sometimes even more. Normal summer temperature is a bit over 20 degrees. In Finland, it is common to have up to a 70 degree difference in temperature between January and July.

During January and February, there is almost always snow in northern and eastern Finland. Even if there’s little snow in Helsinki, there’s often up to a metre or more on the skiing slopes of Lapland. The snow season in northern Finland begins in November and lasts at least until April-May. In the inland regions of southern and central Finland, the first snow falls at the beginning of December and melts during March.

What should I wear?

If you are planning a winter visit, get a warm, padded winter jacket. Thermal underwear, a warm hat, thick socks and gloves help out a lot when temperatures drop below freezing.

If you have trouble finding winter gear where you come from, don’t worry – everything can be purchased in Finland. Warm clothing is included in guided safaris and other winter excursions.

In the autumn and spring, waterproof footwear comes in handy if you intend exploring the outdoors. In the summer, casual wear is pretty much the same as in other parts of northern and central Europe – light trousers, shorts, tee-shirts and so on.

What are the Everyman´s Rights I’ve heard of?

One of the great concepts in Finland is called “Everyman’s Rights”. This gives you the right to roam freely in natural areas like forests, fells, lakes and rivers, without permission from landowners. The concept has evolved over time and started as an unwritten code created by a sparse population living in a vast, densely forested country.

Some guidelines: you can pick wild berries and mushrooms, but not someone’s apples or plums. You can go canoeing and camping, but not too close to someone’s house. In many areas, fishing requires a permit. Don’t leave litter, and leave the place the way you found it.

Simply put: Enjoy the great outdoors, but be responsible and respect nature as well as other people and their property.

More details on Everyman’s Rights

Is Finland safe?

Very. It’s one of the few countries in the world where lost wallets and mobile phones get returned to their rightful owner.

What should I do in case of an emergency in Finland?

Dial 112, free of charge.

What documents do I need to enter Finland?

You need a valid national passport or other equivalent official document that satisfactorily establishes your identity and nationality. If you aren’t a citizen of Finland or another European Economic Area (EEA) country, you may also need a visa. Please check with your local Finnish Embassy.

Do I need to get vaccinated before entering Finland?

Finland is one of Europe’s safest countries in terms of health and hygiene. No vaccinations or inoculations are required before arrival. Finnish pharmacies are well stocked with all the basic medicines, but note that some medicines that are available in stores and supermarkets in other countries – such as Aspirin and various ointments – are only available in pharmacies in Finland.

Can I shop tax free in Finland?

Anyone permanently resident outside the EU and Norway can shop tax free in Finland, thus saving about 12 (max. 16) per cent on purchases of over 40 e. Only stores with “tax free shopping” signs will provide customers with a cheque covering the VAT refund; this can be cashed upon leaving the last EU country visited.

What are the common shopping hours?

Most shops are open until 6 pm or 8 pm on weekdays and close between 3 pm and 6 pm on Saturdays. Some are open until 6 pm on Sundays, while others are closed.

Bigger supermarkets are open until 9 pm and smaller ones until 11 pm on weekdays, and 6 pm and 11 pm on weekends, respectively. Exceptions occur on public holidays, bank holidays etc.

What credit cards are accepted in Finland?

American Express, Diner’s Club, Eurocard, Access, Master Card and Visa are accepted in hotels, restaurants, larger shops, and department stores. Visa Electron is also accepted in many shops and department stores.

How late are bars and night clubs open?

Most bars stop serving at 1.30 am and close at 2 am. Night clubs stop serving at 3.30 am and close at 4 am at the latest.

What is the legal drinking age in Finland?

The sale of alcohol to persons under 18 years of age is prohibited by law. People over 18 can buy alcoholic drinks such as wines and beers containing at most 22 per cent alcohol by volume.

A person aged 20 can buy alcoholic drinks of any kind from an Alko (state monopoly) store. Customers may be asked to show a passport, identification card or driving licence as proof of age. Beer and cider is sold in supermarkets and other food stores until 9 pm every day. Wines, liquors and spirits are sold in Alko stores. Most Alko stores are open from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 8 pm, and 9 am to 6 pm on Saturdays.

I’ve heard there are some nasty mosquitoes in Finland, is it true?

Finnish mosquitoes are a nuisance rather than a hazard, but there can be quite a few at times during the summer. There are practically no mosquitoes in cities, as they mostly bother you in the countryside in the northern parts of the country. The mosquitoes are not dangerous, and repellent is available in shops, supermarkets and pharmacies.