Finland

Use Normal Level of Caution

The Republic of Finland is located in northern Europe, shares borders with Estonia, Russia, Sweden, and Norway, and has a coastline on the Gulf of Finland. The population is about 5.3 million people. The government is a republic with a president as chief of state and a prime minister as head of government. Finland has been ruled by Sweden and later by Russia. Although Finland achieved independence in 1917, Russia continued to exert control until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989. Finland became a full member of the Economic Union in 1995.

Finland was the first country in the world where women gained political rights equal to men and the first country in Europe where women gained the right to vote in 1906.

Finland’s economy was mainly agrarian until the 1950s. Now, the country has a modern industrialized economy with a broad-based social welfare system. Finland ranks very high in standard of living, health, education, and quality of life.

Tourism is highly developed with widely available tourist facilities. With about two-thirds of the country in forests and lakes and with 37 national parks, there are many outdoor activities available for travellers.

Currency	EUR: Euro
Language	Finnish and Swedish
Capital	Helsinki
Recent Alerts	4
Latest Alert	July 20, 2021 - COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Finland (20 July Update)

Diseases To Be Aware Of

The diseases listed below are those which occur most often in Finland. Other, less frequently encountered diseases might be displayed within the Travel Alerts section if they have occurred recently.

Hepatitis A There is a risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Finland through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.
Hepatitis B There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Finland.
Rabies Rabies occurs only in bats in Finland. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with bats are at higher risk.
Tick-Borne Encephalitis There is a risk of tick-borne encephalitis in some areas of the country below 1,400 meters. The areas affected are the Åland and Turku archipelagos, around the cities of Turku, the municipalities of Kokkola and Lappeenranta, and Isosaari Island close to the city of Helsinki. The transmission season varies, however, and ticks are most active during early spring to late autumn (March to November).

Vaccinations to Consider

The following is a list of recommended vaccinations for travelling to Finland.

Hepatitis A Vaccine There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
Hepatitis B Vaccine There is a risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
Rabies Vaccine Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers who may have direct contact with bats, e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers.
Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis is recommended if travelling in areas where contact with ticks might occur (camping, hiking, outdoor activities) below 1,400 meters during early spring to late autumn (March to November).

Medications to Consider

The following is a list of recommended medications for travelling to Finland.

None required.

Safety and Security in Finland

Emergency Numbers

112

Personal Safety

The crime rate is low in this country, and most travellers have no trouble. However, petty crime, such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, or other theft can occur in any crowded area or tourist destination. Keep valuables secured and out of sight. Safeguard your important documents, such as your passport.

Snow and ice on roadways during the winter months may make road travel dangerous.

Same-sex sexual activity and marriage are both legal in Finland and discrimination based on sexual orientation is prohibited. LGBTI rights in Finland are some of the most progressive in the world.

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Sitata uses advanced software algorithms to monitor the world for disease outbreaks and safety hazards. Each travel alert published by Sitata is reviewed by staff to ensure it meets the concerns of a traveller.

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Updated: July 21, 2021