GENVISEC
Protecting People and Profit
Finland
Overall country Risk Rating:
AAA - Highly governed country with little to no corruption and a low frequency of crime risk against foreigners, terrorism risk is very low. The workplace HSE risk is low due to high standards of operation. However arctic conditions will increase operational risk.The country scores 3/177 on the corruption perception index, with a score of 2.15 on corruption control.(Point estimates range from -2.5 to 2.5. Higher values correspond to better governance outcomes)
Genvisec advises that all business and leisure travel should continue.
Crime
Crime levels are low. The tourist season attracts pickpockets in crowded areas. Take sensible precautions and keep your personal belongings, including passports and money, secure.
Local travel
You can buy bus, train, tram and metro tickets at stations, 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.
Finland can be affected by severe cold weather in the winter months, particularly in the north.
Road travel
Driving in Finland during the winter months can be hazardous. Icy road conditions are common. Winter/snow tyres (either studded or non-studded) are a legal requirement from 1 December to 28 February. It is usually necessary to use winter tyres beyond these dates as roads remain icy well into April.
Drinking and driving is 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 blowy.
In 2012 there were 255 road deaths in Finland. This equates to 4.7 road deaths per 100,000 of population compared to the EU average of 2.8 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2012.
See the AA and RAC guides on driving in Finland.
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.
Local laws and customs
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.
Entry requirements
Passport validity
For stays of up to three months your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.
Emergency Travel Documents
Emergency Travel Documents are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Finland.
The Finnish authorities have confirmed they will accept British passports extended by 12 months by British Embassies and Consulates under additional measures put in place in mid-2014.
Visas
Visas are not required to enter Finland. As an EU national, you can stay as a visitor for three months. After that, you should contact the local Finnish Police to register your right to live in Finland.
Health
If you’re visiting Finland you should get a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving your home country (EU nationals only). The EHIC isn’t a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but it entitles you to state provided medical treatment that may become necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as Finnish nationals. .The EHIC won’t cover medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment, so you should make sure you have adequate travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.
As a rule, organs, tissues and cells may be removed in Finland for the treatment of another person if it can be assumed that the deceased would not have objected to the measure when alive. Cards for permission/refusal to donate your organs are available from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment you should contact your insurance/medical assistance company immediately.
Money
The currency of Finland is the Euro.
Arctic travel
Large numbers of British nationals travel successfully and safely in and around the Arctic each year. The Arctic is, however, a vast region, comprising the northerly areas of Canada, Finland, Greenland (Denmark), Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and Alaska (United States). In addition to reading the specific travel advice for each of these countries, prospective visitors to the Arctic should also consider carefully the potential remoteness of certain destinations from search and rescue, evacuation and medical facilities. Independent travellers are particularly advised to develop contingency arrangements for emergency back-up.
The most popular way of visiting the Arctic is by ship. As some areas of the Arctic -specifically the more northerly and remote regions - can be uncharted and ice-covered, you should check the previous operational experience of cruise and other operators offering travel in the region. You should also consider the on-board medical facilities of cruise ships and talk to cruise operators as appropriate, particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition.
The eight Arctic States take their international search and rescue obligations very seriously, and have recently signed a binding agreement on search and rescue co-operation in the Arctic. However, in the highest latitude regions of the Arctic, cruise ships may be operating in relative isolation from other vessels and/or inhabited areas. You should be aware that in these regions, search and rescue response will often need to be dispatched from many hundreds of miles away, and assistance to stranded vessels may take several days to arrive, particularly in bad weather. Search and rescue assets are also likely to offer only basic transport and basic medical care, and are unlikely to be capable of advanced life-support. Responsible cruise operators should happily provide additional information relevant to the circumstances of the cruise they are offering, and address any concerns you may have.
Consular assistance and support to British nationals in the Arctic will be affected by the capacity of national and local authorities. You should make sure you have adequate travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment or potential repatriation.
Consular assistance
British Citizens
British Embassy
Itäinen Puistotie 17
00140 Helsinki
Finland
Email (for Consular enquiries)
Helsinki.ConsularEnquiries@fco.gov.uk
Telephone
+358 (0) 9 2286 5100
Fax (Chancery)
+358 (0) 9 2286 5284
Fax (Consular)
+358 (0) 9 2286 5262
Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm
Consular Section
Telephone enquiries
Telephone: +358 (0) 9 2286 5100
US Citizens
Embassy of the United States of America
Itäinen Puistotie 14 B
00140 Helsinki
Finland
Telephone: +358-9-616-25
Phone inquiries are answered from 2 PM to 4 PM Monday through Thursday.
E-mail: HelsinkiACS@state.gov
Canadian Citizens
Canadian Embassy Helsinki
Pohjoisesplanadi 25 B
Postal Address
Embassy of Canada in Finland
P.O. Box 779
00101 Helsinki
Tel.: +358 9 228 530
Fax: +358 9 2285 3385
Email: hsnki@international.gc.ca
For consular matters: hsnki.cs@international.gc.ca
The Canadian Embassy in Finland does not have an immigration section; these questions are handled by the Canadian High Commission in London. Email: london-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca
Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday 08:30 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 16:30
Hours of Operation (June 02 – Aug 30)
Monday to Thursday: 08:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 16:30
Friday: 08:00 – 13:30
Statutory Holidays - 2014
Closed on the following days:
Date Holiday
January 01 New Year’s Day
April 18 Good Friday
April 21Easter Monday
May 01 May Day
May 19 Victoria Day
June 20 Midsummer Eve
July 01 Canada Day
October 13 Thanksgiving
December 24 Christmas Eve
December 25 Christmas Day
December 26 Boxing Day
Norwegian Citizens
Rehbinderintie 17
00150
Helsinki
Finland
Phone
+358-9-6860180
Fax
+358-9-657807
Swedish Citizens
Swedish Consulate
Swedish Embassy in Helsinki, Finland
Norra esplanaden 7 B
Postbox 329
FIN-00171 Helsingfors
Finland
Telephon e(+358) 9 6877 660
Telefax (+358) 9 655 285
(+358) 9 176 416
E-mail ambassaden.helsingfors@gov.se
Website www.swedenabroad.com/helsingfors
Head of Mission Mr Anders Lidén, Ambassador