Finland

Terrorism is a threat worldwide. Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places. 

Possible targets include:

• places of worship or religious holidays
• hotels, clubs, restaurants and cafes
• markets and shopping malls
• outdoor recreation events, including festivals, concerts, and sporting venues
• public transport, airports and railway hubs

To stay safe:

• report suspicious activities or items to the police
• check the media for new threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the instructions of local authorities

If there’s a terrorist incident, leave the area if it’s safe to do so and follow the instructions of local authorities. 

More information:

• Terrorism

You might encounter protests or demonstrations.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

During periods of unrest:

• monitor the media and other sources about possible unrest
• avoid the affected area
• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Protests and civil unrest

Serious crime isn't common.

Pickpocketing and bag-snatching occurs.

Credit card theft and skimming also happens.

To protect yourself from crime:

• check for card-skimming devices before using ATMs
• monitor local media for the latest crime trends

Drink spiking

Methanol poisoning

Cyber security 

Winters are extremely cold. There's heavy snowfall, including in metropolitan areas.

This may delay transport and temporarily shut down infrastructure.

Finland experiences severe weather, such as severe storms, rockslides, floods and strong winds.

If there's a natural disaster:

• keep your passport in a safe, waterproof place
• contact friends and family with regular updates about your welfare
• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

Prescribed narcotics are restricted. For specific information on bringing medication into Finland , check with the Finnish Customs Authority.

Tick-borne encephalitis is a risk if you travel in forest areas or to the Aland Islands.

Ticks are common in rural areas and are active from March to November.

To protect yourself from illness:

• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

After visiting forested areas:

• check yourself for ticks
• remove any ticks as soon as possible
• keep checking the tick site for infection

Ask your doctor about health risks and vaccines before you go.

More information

• Infectious diseases
• Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare

The standard of medical facilities is similar to Australia.

Emergency services are limited in remote areas.

Major hospitals are located in the Helsinki, Tampere and Turku areas.

English is widely spoken.

A reciprocal health care agreement (RHCA) allows Australians who visit for fewer than 90 days to access some emergency medical services. You’ll still need to pay a client fee for all public health care treatment.

It doesn't provide the same amount of coverage as Medicare in Australia. It doesn't cover:

• ongoing treatment of pre-existing health conditions
• medical evacuation
• prescription medicines
• elective surgery

To get emergency treatment, you must present an Australian passport and a valid Medicare card. You may also need to mention the RHCA.

If you can't show your passport and Medicare card, you may need to pay the same costs that apply to non-residents.

This arrangement doesn't replace the need for private travel insurance with medical coverage.

More information:

• Travel insurance
• Medicare - Reciprocal health care agreements

When you travel to another country, you must follow their laws. Even if they seem strict compared to Australia's. Before you go, learn about the local laws in that country.

The Australian Government is limited in how and when we can help if you're arrested overseas. We can't get you out of trouble or out of jail. Understand our limits. Read the Consular Services Charter.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences, even for possession of small amounts, include heavy fines and jail.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Some Australian laws still apply even if you’re in another country. You could be charged in Australia if you break these laws overseas.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Finland recognises dual nationality.

Dual nationals who are registered residents of Finland may need to do national service.

Check with the Finnish Defence Forces.

More information:

• Advice for dual nationals

Visas

Finland is part of the Schengen area. In some situations, this lets you enter Finland without a visa.

For more information about visa requirements, refer to the Finnish Immigration Service.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Finland for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Entry into Finland

If you're arriving from non-EU and non-Schengen countries, you must have regular travel documents:

• a passport and, if necessary,
• a visa

Border measures

When you first enter the Schengen area, get an entry stamp in your passport from border control.

Always carry your passport.

If you have one, always carry your Finnish residency permit. You may be asked to verify your identity.

Always carry a valid passport even if travelling from another Schengen country.

The new European Union's (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) for registering all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen area, has started.

European countries using the EES will gradually introduce the system at their external borders. Data collection will be introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026.

After it is fully implemented, EES registration will replace the current system of manually stamping passports. 

The registration process should only take a few minutes but there may be longer border queues when the new system starts.

When travelling into and out of the Schengen area, for short stays, you may need to 

• have your fingerprints and photo taken
• answer Schengen Border Code questions

This creates a digital record that registers your biometric details.

If you revisit the Schengen area within 3 years of creating your digital record, you'll only need to provide either your fingerprint or photograph at the border on entry and exit.

If you frequently travel to Schengen areas for work and/or leisure purposes, you must ensure that your total stay in the Schengen area is no more than 90 days in every 180 days. Be aware of immigration penalties and enforcement for exceeding the limit in any individual country you plan to travel to or through.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Before you travel, contact the nearest embassy or consulate for details on entry requirements .

More information:

Visas and entry requirements in Europe and the Schengen Area

Validity

Lost or stolen passport

Passport with X gender identifier 

The currency of Finland is the euro.

Declare amounts over 10,000 euros or equivalent currency if you're travelling between Finland and any non-European Union (EU) country. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

You don't need to declare cash if travelling to or from another EU country.

Travel from Russia

Finland has closed land border crossings with Russia indefinitely. 

Maritime crossing points in the Eastern Gulf of Finland are closed. The border crossing points for maritime traffic at Haapasaari, the port of Nuijamaa and Santio are closed to leisure boating. 

The train service between St Petersburg and Helsinki is suspended. Public transport services between Finland and Russia have been suspended. 

More information:

• Finnish Border Guard website
• Travel advice for Russia

Road Travel

Roads are in good condition. They can be dangerous in winter when it gets icy.

Check the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency for updates on road conditions.

​​Headlights must always be on, even during daylight hours.

Winter tyres must be fitted:

• from 1 December or when it first snows (whichever is earlier)
• until 31 March or later if roads are still icy

More information:

• Driving or riding

Public transport

Public transport, including buses and trains, is reliable and safe.

More information:

• Transport and getting around safely

Taxis

Use officially marked taxis.

Air travel

Check Finland's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 112.

Medical emergencies

Call 112 or go to a hospital.

Police

Call 112 or go to the local police station.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

The Australian Government aims to provide high quality consular assistance. There are limits to what we can do. Read the Consular Services Charter to understand how we can assist you overseas.

Australia has a consulate in Finland, headed by an Honorary Consul.

It provides limited consular assistance. The consulate can't provide visa or immigration services or issue passports.

You can get full consular assistance from the Australian Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.

Australian Consulate, Helsinki

Museokatu 25 B 23
00100 Helsinki
Finland

Phone: +358 10 420 4492
Email: australian.consulate@tradimex.fi

Australian Embassy, Stockholm

Klarabergsviadukten 63, 8th Floor
111 64 Stockholm, Sweden

Phone: +46 8 613 2900
Email: reception.stockholm@dfat.gov.au
Web: sweden.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Sweden Embassy Face​book
X: AusAmbSe

Check the Embassy website or Facebook page for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia