Practical information Finland

No for French, Belgian and Luxembourgish nationals: Finland is part of the European Union and the Schengen area, a simple valid national identity card is sufficient for a tourist stay of less than 90 days. Swiss citizens are also exempt. For Canadians, no visa is required under the ETIAS system, but an electronic authorization will be required once it comes into effect: check the official European website at the time of booking. A passport remains mandatory for non-Europeans and must be valid for at least three months after the date of departure from the Schengen area. No special formalities upon arrival at Helsinki-Vantaa airport, controls are quick.

No vaccines are mandatory to enter Finland. Our team recommends checking that routine vaccinations are up to date: diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, whooping cough, measles. For travelers planning extended forest hiking between May and September, particularly in the Åland and southwestern regions, vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis can be discussed with your doctor: ticks are present and some carry Lyme disease, wearing long pants and using insect repellent is recommended in wooded areas. No risk of malaria, yellow fever, or dengue. Tap water is safe to drink everywhere, including in Laponia. The European health insurance card covers routine care for EU citizens.

Finland is among the most expensive European destinations. Budget between 130 and 180 euros per day and per person excluding international flights for a mid-range trip: accommodation in a 3-star hotel or lakeside cabin, meals, car rental, activities. In Laponia during the high winter season (December to March), prices rise sharply, a night in a glass igloo ranges between 350 and 600 euros, a day of dog sledding around 200 euros. A meal at a simple restaurant costs 18 to 25 euros, a beer 7 to 9 euros, a coffee 4 euros. The Helsinki-Rovaniemi train in a sleeper cabin runs around 90 euros. Card payments are accepted everywhere, including for very small amounts.

Two seasons work well depending on what you're looking for. Summer, from mid-June to mid-August, offers very long days, up to midnight sun north of the Arctic Circle, temperatures of 17 to 22°C, and allows for hiking, canoeing, festivals, and nights in a mökki by the lake. Winter, from late January to late March, is our preferred season in Lapland: stable snow, rapidly lengthening days, often clear skies for the northern lights, harsh but dry temperatures (-10 to -20°C). Avoid November and early December in Lapland, which are dark and unstable, and late April, when the thaw makes nature uninviting. September offers autumn colors, the ruska, with already some northern lights possible.

Train is our preferred mode of transport in the south and central regions: VR operates a reliable and comfortable network, with an overnight Helsinki-Rovaniemi train that lets you reach Lapland while sleeping, featuring cars with private cabins and the option to bring your vehicle. Long-distance buses Onnibus and Matkahuolto complement the network well. In Lapland, a car is almost essential for independent itineraries, equipped with studded tires that are mandatory from December to March, with rental options available in Rovaniemi, Kittilä or Ivalo. Finnair operates fast domestic flights to Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Ivalo and Oulu, approximately 1.5 hours from Helsinki. In the southwest archipelago, ferries on the Archipelago Route are free in summer for pedestrians, cyclists and cars.

Finland regularly ranks among the three safest countries in the world in international rankings, with very low crime rates, excellent healthcare infrastructure, and effective emergency services including in remote areas. No areas to avoid. Standard precautions are sufficient in central Helsinki at night, especially on summer weekends. In nature, the real risks are related to climate rather than people: extreme cold in winter Laponia, need for appropriate equipment, caution on frozen lakes where you must follow marked trails. Bears and wolves exist but encounters are extremely rare and these animals flee. Our team in Helsinki remains available 24/7 during your trip and we work with insured and experienced service providers.