Finland

Recent attacks in European cities have targeted places popular with travellers. This includes:

• airports

• public transport

• places of worship

• sporting venues

• public places

The Finnish Security Intelligence Service assess Finland's terrorist threat level to be 'elevated'. This is the equivalent of level 2 on a 4-point scale.

In August 2017, there was a fatal stabbing attack in central Turku.

Finnish authorities say the attack was terror related.

To protect yourself from terrorism:

• ​​be alert to possible threats, especially in public places

• be careful around locations that could be terrorist targets

• report any suspicious activity or items to police

• monitor the news

• take official warnings seriously

• follow instructions from local authorities

If there's an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe. Avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Demonstrations and protests

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 affect area

• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Serious crime isn't common.

Pickpocketing and bag-snatching is common.

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

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

This may delay transport and temporarily shut down infrastructure.

Finland also 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

• monitor the media, other local information and the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

• follow the advice from local authorities

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers

• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up

• ask if your travel plans may affect your health

• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

More information:

• General health advice

• International travel and health

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Finland. Take up to a 3-month supply for your trip. Your personal supply can include:

• prescription medicines

• homeopathic products 

Carry a copy of your prescription and a dated letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medicine is

• how much you'll take

• that it's for personal use

If you plan to stay longer than 3 months, find a doctor and pharmacy early in your stay who can re-supply your prescription medicines.

Prescribed narcotics are restricted. Check with the Finnish Customs Authority.

More information:

• Medicine

Insect-borne diseases

If you travel in forest areas or to the Aland Islands, tick-borne encephalitis is a risk.

Ticks are common in rural areas and 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

Medical facilities

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 area.

English is widely spoken.

A reciprocal health care agreement (RHCA) allows Australians who visit for fewer than 90 days to access emergency medical services for free.

It doesn't provide the same amount of cover 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 need to 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 cover.

More information:

• Travel insurance

• Medicare - Reciprocal health care agreements

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Drugs

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

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

• Partying safely

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

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:

• Dual nationals

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders.

Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.

​Finland, along with other European countries, is part of the Schengen area. In some situations, this lets you enter Finland without a visa.

Check border conditions by monitoring local news and asking transport providers.

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.

Validity

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.

• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

Schengen area

Get an entry stamp in your passport from border control when you first enter the Schengen area.

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 you're travelling from another Schengen country.

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 you're travelling to or from another EU country.

Road travel

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

Long, dark nights during winter can reduce visibility.

Check the Finnish Road Administration for updates on road conditions.

Get to know the local road rules.

​​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

The blood alcohol limit is 0.05%. If you’re caught driving over the limit, authorities may arrest you.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Public transport

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

More information:

• Transport and getting around safely

Taxis

Use officially marked taxis.

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

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.

Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help 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

Fax: +46 8 613 2982

Email: reception.stockholm@dfat.gov.au

Web: sweden.embassy.gov.au

Facebook: Sweden Embassy Face​book

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