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Weather & climate
Weather in Finland
Finland
10°
Light drizzle
Thu
6°
10°
Fri
7°
17°
Sat
5°
10°
Sun
2°
6°
Mon
0°
12°
Tue
2°
12°
Wed
6°
12°
SPF level in Finland
Recommended: SPF 30
Spring
SPF 30
Summer
SPF 30
Autumn
SPF 15
Winter
SPF 15
Suncream is often more expensive in tourist zones. Pack your preferred SPF from the UK, especially for beach holidays. Always carry travel-size (100ml max) for hand luggage.
Before you go
Entry requirements for Finland
What British travellers need to know
You can stay in Finland without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a tourist.
Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive in the Schengen area.
Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.
At border control, you may need to show a hotel booking confirmation, a return ticket, and proof of sufficient money for your stay.
When the Entry/Exit System is in place, you may need to register your fingerprints and a photo at the border, which may take extra time.
Good to know:
A child entering Finland with an adult who is not their parent or guardian must carry a letter of consent from a parent or legal guardian.
You must declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more when entering Finland.
Safety in Finland
Tips when travelling
Finland is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:
Pickpockets may target tourists in crowded areas, so keep your personal belongings, passports and money safe.
Illegal drugs, including cannabis, are prohibited and can result in long jail sentences and heavy fines.
The drink-drive limit in Finland is significantly lower than in England, and drink-driving is a serious offence that could lead to prison.
You need a UK driving licence to drive in Finland, and hire car companies often require extra conditions like a minimum age or an international driving permit.
You may be able to use your UK Blue Badge in some circumstances, but you should check local parking rules.
Bonus tips:
Be aware of your surroundings at all times as terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out and could occur in places visited by foreign nationals.
Emergency medical assistance and search and rescue are limited in very remote Arctic areas of Finland.
More information
Driving in Finland
A valid UK driving license is required. An International Driving Permit is not legally required for stays shorter than one year.
Side of road
right
Motorway speed limit
120 km/h
Urban speed limit
50 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.05%
Remember: Finland drives on the right. Take extra care at junctions if you normally drive on the left.
Health in Finland
If you're visiting Finland, it's advisable to have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical expenses. UK residents can use their UK-issued Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for state healthcare in Finland. However, these cards may not cover all costs, so travel insurance is still recommended.
Generally, Finland has high standards of public health. No specific vaccinations are required for entry, but it's always wise to ensure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date. Tap water is safe to drink throughout Finland.
Cards & payments
Cards are widely accepted in Finland, especially in larger establishments and cities. However, it's always a good idea to carry some cash for smaller establishments or rural areas.
Visa
High
Mastercard
High
American Express
Medium
Lost card? Call Visa: +1-303-967-1096
Tipping in Finland
Tipping is not as common in Finland as it is in some other countries. Service charges are usually included in the bill, so tipping is not expected but is always appreciated for exceptional service.
Restaurant
5-10% for exceptional service
Bar/Café
Rounding up or a small tip for good service
Taxi
Rounding up the fare
Hotel Porter
1-2 EUR per bag
Hotel Housekeeper
1-2 EUR per night for exceptional service
Tour Guide
5-10 EUR for a good tour
Mobile & roaming
Since Brexit, the guarantee of EU-wide free roaming for UK mobile customers no longer applies. Check with your mobile provider about roaming charges in Finland. Some providers may still offer inclusive roaming packages.
Local SIM
10 GB for 20 EUR (~£17)
Network coverage
4G, 5G
Electrical in Finland
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Plug types
Type C, Type F
WiFi & internet
WiFi is widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and public areas, especially in cities.
Average speed
50 Mbps
Finland has a well-developed internet infrastructure with good WiFi coverage in most urban areas and decent mobile data speeds. Many public places offer free WiFi.
Emergency numbers
Universal emergency
112
Save 112 in your phone before travelling.
Calling Finland
Country code
+358
To call the British Embassy in Helsinki dial 00 358 9 2286 5100
To call Finland from the UK, you need to dial the exit code (00), then the country code for Finland (358), and finally the local number. Remove the first zero from the local area code.
Languages in Finland
UK Embassy
British Embassy Helsinki
Itäinen Puistotie 13, 00140 Helsinki, Finland
Phone
Website
Recent updates
Entry requirements
6 days ago
Entry/Exit System (EES)
- The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area.
- The text 'with full operation expected from 10 April 2026' has been removed.
Passport validity
- Clarification added that a passport issued before 1 October 2018 may have a date of issue more than 10 years ago, making it invalid for entry to the Schengen area.
Frequently asked questions
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.