Finland travel advice

Travel Summary

• There are confirmed cases of the H1N1virus (Swine flu) in Finland. A national quarantine policy exists, yet to be implemented. Passengers with flu symptoms arriving on flights from Central America and the US, plus countries with several cases of Swine Flu (including UK), are medically screened. Finnair does not currently allow passengers with swine flu (or those exhibiting the symptoms) to fly. Finland has purchased the pre-pandemic vaccine, to cover its whole 5.3 million population. It assumes two doses: one pre-pandemic, the other during a pandemic. In their response to cases of Swine Flu, Finland will shortly move to a “treatment phase”. You can check for updates on the number of cases and their location through the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs website www.stm.fi/en/frontpage. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at: www.who.int has further details. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk. Check Swine Flu for further information.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• Finland can be affected by severe cold weather in the winter months, particularly in the North. You should be prepared for harsh conditions and if driving in the winter months cars should be winterised.
  
  
• Most visits to Finland are trouble-free. The main types of incident for which British nationals require assistance are the replacement of lost or stolen passports. If you need to contact the emergency services in Finland call 112.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Crime levels remain relatively low. The tourist season attracts pickpockets in crowded areas. You should observe sensible precautions such as keeping your personal belongings, including passports and money, secure.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Finland Country Profile

Local Travel

The public transport infrastructure is of a very high standard and very punctual. You can buy a variety of bus, train, tram and metro tickets at stations (bus, train, tram and metro), news kiosks and shops all over the country. Helsinki City Transport offers a service that allows you to order a text message ticket to your mobile phone.

Within the Helsinki city area you can rent city bicycles in the summer (available for a token fee). Better quality bicycles are available for hire from other outlets.

Road Travel

In 2007 there were 377 road deaths in Finland (source: Liikenneturva, Central Organisation for Traffic Safety in Finland). This equates to 7.1 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.0 road deaths per 100,000 population in 2007. (Source: DfT, National Statistics).

Driving in Finland during the winter months can be hazardous. Icy road conditions are common. If driving in Finland, your car must be winterised and winter/snow tyres (either studded or non-studded) are a legal requirement from 1 December to 31 March. The local transport system is good and traffic is light.

Drinking and driving is also a serious offence and you can expect a lengthy prison sentence. The drink drive limit in Finland is 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood (lower than the UK).

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Air Travel

EU Aviation Regulations

The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in Finland. For more details about this see Airline Security

Local laws and customs

There are no unusual local laws. As in the UK, Finns take drug offences seriously and you can expect a prison sentence. Khat is illegal in Finland and those who try to import it are summarily deported.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Entry requirements

Visas

Visas are not required to enter Finland. As a British national, you can stay as a visitor for three months. After that, you should contact the local Finnish Police for a residence permit.

Passport validity

You should be in possession of a valid passport; there is no minimum validity required.

Health

There are confirmed cases of A (H1N1) - Swine flu in Finland. A national quarantine policy exists, but is yet to be implemented. Passengers with flu symptoms arriving on flights from Central America and the US, plus countries with several cases of Swine Flu (including UK), are medically screened. Finnair does not currently allow passengers with swine flu (or those exhibiting the symptoms) to fly. Finland has purchased the pre-pandemic vaccine, to cover its whole 5.3 million population. It assumes two doses: one pre-pandemic, the other during a pandemic. In their response to cases of Swine Flu, Finland will shortly move to a “treatment phase”. You can check for updates on the number of cases and their location through the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs website www.stm.fi/en/frontpage. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/ for further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. Check Swine Flu for further information. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.

The Finnish health system is generally good though, as with the NHS, there are occasional problems over access or speed of treatment.

The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Finnish nationals. It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC.

The Finnish health system is generally good though, as with the NHS, there are occasional problems over access to or speed of treatment.

There are about 20-40 cases of tick-borne encephalitis each year, mostly in the Åland Islands. Immunisation is an option.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 2,400 adults aged 15 or over in Finland were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Finland and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.

For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Emergency number

The telephone number for emergencies is 112.

Passport

If you lose your passport in Finland, you should contact the British Embassy in Helsinki (contact details below).

Extremes of weather

Finland, and in particular the north of the country, does get affected by severe cold weather during the winter months. Temperatures can be extremely low and if you visit in winter you should come prepared for these harsh conditions. The spring and summer months can be very pleasant and temperatures are generally on a par with the UK.

Money

Remember the currency for Finland is the Euro.

Since 15 June 2007 new legislation on the controls of cash entering or leaving the EU apply in all Member States. Any person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 euros or more; this includes cheques, travellers' cheques, money orders, etc. This will not apply to anyone travelling via the EU to a non-EU country, as long as the original journey started outside of the EU nor to those travelling within the EU.