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TRAVEL REPORT
Finland

1. RECENT UPDATES

Hyperlinks have been updated.

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Finland

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Most Canadian visitors to Finland do not experience problems.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching occurs, particularly from April to September.

General Safety Information

Exercise normal safety precautions and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure, especially on public transportation. Be particularly vigilant at ABM machines, the Helsinki Railway Station, the Helsinki Metro, and the Esplanade and trams.

In an emergency, call 112 for police, fire department, or ambulance services. Police can also be reached at 10022.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Finnish authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Finland and its consulates, for up-to-date information.

A Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Finland. It is recommended that the passport be valid for at least three months beyond the date of the expected departure from this country. Canadians may be asked to show proof of sufficient funds for the duration of their stay or their return ticket.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays less than 90 days within a period of six months)
Business Visa: Not required (for stays less than 90 days within a period of six months)
Student Visa: Required (for stays over 90 days)

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Schengen Area

The member states of the European Union (EU) (not including Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania, and the United Kingdom), along with Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland (which are not in the EU), make up the Schengen Area, which has common rules regarding visas and controls at external borders. The following 25 countries comprise the Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

In the Schengen Area, Canadian travellers do not need visas for short-term visits (up to 90 days within a six-month period). The 90 days are cumulative and apply to travel within all countries of the Schengen Area. Some countries require you to register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival. It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen Area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities throughout the Schengen Area.

If Canadians overstay the permitted 90 days in the Schengen Area, they may be fined or deported. To visit for longer than 90 days, Canadians must obtain a long-stay national visa.

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Travelling with medications

A traveller is allowed to bring in medicinal products as well as homeopathic and anthroposophical products from countries belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA), including the European Union countries plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, for a maximum of one year's treatment and from non-EEA countries for a maximum of three months' treatment for personal use. If required, the traveller must be able to prove that the medicinal product is intended for personal medication. The intended use of prescription medicine must be proved by a prescription or medical certificate issued by a person authorized to do so. The traveller must bring the required documents when importing the medicinal product into Finland.

A traveller is allowed to bring in medicinal products classified as narcotic drugs from the Schengen states (Iceland, Norway, and the EU countries, except the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland) for personal use for a maximum of 30 days' treatment. For importation from a Schengen state, the traveller is required to produce a certificate indicating entitlement to import a medicinal product having a particular trade name. THE CERTIFICATE AND THE PRESCRIPTION FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE MEDICINE MUST BE ISSUED IN THE STATE WHERE THE IMPORTING PERSON NORMALLY RESIDES.

A traveller importing the same medicinal product classified as a narcotic drug for a second time, or repeatedly, can do so only after a period equivalent to the prescribed treatment period of the previous imported medicinal product. From non-Schengen states, a traveller is allowed to bring in medicinal products classified as narcotic drugs for personal use for a maximum of 14 days' treatment.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

EU legislation on the amount of cash that can be carried was implemented on June 15, 2007. Canadians crossing one of the external border control points of the EU will have to make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if they have at least 10,000 euros, or the equivalent in other currencies, in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques, or any other convertible assets in their possession. Failure to report such a sum will be considered an offence. This does not apply to Canadians travelling within the EU or in transit to a non-EU country. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent illegal activities, such as money laundering. For more information on the new EU legislation and links to EU countries' sites, consult http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/customs_controls/cash_controls/index_en.htm.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Finland - HELSINKI, Embassy of Canada
Address: Pohjoisesplanadi 25B, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Postal Address: P.O. Box 779, Helsinki, 00101
Tel.: 358 (9) 228-530
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 990-800-2326-6831
Fax: 358 (9) 601-060
E-Mail: hsnki@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Finland.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, contact the Embassy of Canada in Helsinki and follow the instructions. You may also call the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa toll-free at 990-800-2326-6831.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Good medical care is widely available.

Tick-borne encephalitis occurs in wooded areas from spring to autumn. If you plan to visit forested areas, you should seek advice regarding inoculations before leaving Canada.

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 Flu Virus.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Finland are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Finland to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Finnish authorities.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Some substances, such as khat, legal in other European countries, are prohibited in Finland. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs can result in jail sentences and heavy fines.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Public transportation, including bus, train, tram, and subway, is extensive and very efficient.

Driving can be hazardous in winter. Icy road conditions are common. Some roads may closed, particularly in northern areas. Drivers should be wary of moose wandering on major highways. Snow tires are mandatory from December 1st until March 31st. Low-beam headlights are obligatory at all times. The use of cellular telephones while driving is prohibited, unless fitted with a hands-free device. The legal blood alcohol limit for drivers is 0.05%. Drivers who register a blood alcohol level of 0.05% or above may be arrested immediately. For updates on road conditions in Finland, visit the Finnish Road Administration's travel and traffic information website.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The currency is the euro (EUR). Credit cards are widely accepted and ABMs widely available. Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Severe cold weather and deep snow cover occur in winter.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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