Official languages are Finnish (91.2%), Swedish (5.5%) and partly in the north of Finland also Sami. A minority speaks Russian. English and German are commonly spoken.
Shops and offices close a little earlier than usual on the eve of public holidays.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be imported duty-free into Finland (when traveling from non-EU countries): 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos (3 g each) or 250 g tobacco (persons aged 18 and over); 1 liter of spirits with an alcohol content of more than 22% (persons over 20 years) or 2 liters of alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of no more than 22% (persons over 18 years) and an additional 4 liters of table wine (persons over 18 years) and 16 l beer (over 18s); Attention: Tobacco products must contain a warning about the health risks, information about the tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide content and information that enables the product to be identified and traced in Finnish and Swedish. If this information is missing, need to pay import tax for the imported goods. In this case, however, no more than 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 100 cigarillos (3 g each) and 250 g tobacco (persons aged 18 and over) can be imported. Gifts / other goods up to a value of €430 (air and sea travel) or €300 (travel by train / car).
Import regulations
Travelers who bring meat and milk products, among other things, into the EU from outside the European Union must declare them. The regulation does not apply to the import of animal products from the EU countries, Andorra, Norway and San Marino. Anyone who does not register these products must expect fines or criminal prosecution. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Prohibited Imports
There is a general ban on imports of live poultry, meat and meat products from third countries (with the exception of the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland). Alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of more than 80% by volume may not be imported.
Import/Export to the EU
The movement of goods within the EU is unrestricted for travelers as long as the goods are for personal use and not for resale. Upon request, travelers must be able to present plausible proof that the goods are intended for personal use. In addition, the goods must not have been purchased in duty-free shops. Travelers may be asked to provide proof of their own personal needs. Member States have the right to levy excise duty on spirit drinks or tobacco products if these products are not intended for personal use. The following maximum quantities apply to personal needs: Tobacco products must carry a warning about the health risks, information about the tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide levels and information enabling identification and tracing of the product in Finnish and Swedish: 800 cigarettes (persons aged 18 and over); 400 cigarillos (over 18s); 200 cigars (over 18s); 1 kg of tobacco (persons aged 18 and over); Without a health warning and an identification and traceability option, the following maximum import quantities for tobacco products apply: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 100 cigarillos (3 g each) and 250 g tobacco and 10 ml liquid nicotine (persons aged 18 and over). 20 liters of fortified wines with an alcohol content of max. 22% (e.g. port or sherry) (persons 18+) and 90 liters of wine with an alcohol content of max. 19% (persons 18+), including a maximum of 60 liters of sparkling wine with a maximum alcohol content of 15% and 110 liters of beer (persons aged 18 and over); 10 liters of other alcoholic beverages (e.g. long drinks with ethyl alcohol). Gifts/other goods up to a total value of €430 (air and sea travel) or €300 (travel by train/car); Children under 15 generally €175. Perfumes and eau de toilette: No restrictions if it can be shown that the amount is for personal consumption. Medicines: Amount corresponding to personal needs during the trip. Other goods: The movement of goods within the EU is unrestricted for travelers. However, this does not apply to gold alloys and gold plating in the unprocessed state or as a semi-finished product and fuel. Fuel may only be imported from an EC member state exempt from mineral oil tax if it is in the vehicle’s tank or in a spare container that is carried along. A fuel quantity of up to 10 liters in the reserve tank will not be objected to (note: reserve cans may not be permitted on ferries.). If additional quantities of these goods are carried, e.g. For example, a wedding is an event that could justify a bulk purchase. Note: However, there are certain exceptions to the free movement of goods regime. They relate in particular to the purchase of new vehicles and purchases for commercial purposes. (More information on car taxes can be found in the European Commission’s Guide to Buying Goods and Services in the Internal Market.
EU
Duty-free sales at airports and seaports have been abolished for travel within the EU. Only travelers leaving the EU can shop cheaply in duty-free shops. When importing goods into an EU country that were bought in duty-free shops in another EU country, the same travel allowances and allowances apply as when entering from non-EU countries. More information is available from Finnish Customs.
Contact addresses
Embassy of Finland
Honorary Consulate General without a visa in Zurich. Honorary consulates without visas in Lausanne and Lugano.
Mon-Fri 08.30-12.00 and 12.30-16.15. Consular section: Mon-Fri 09.00-12.00, afternoons by appointment.
Business
Business etiquette
Suit and tie or costume. Finnish business people mostly speak English or German. Tourist offices and travel agencies can arrange interpreters and help with translations. Punctuality is very important. Business cards are common. The best time for business trips is between February and May and between October and December.
Opening hours
Business hours: Mon-Fri 08.00-16.15, some shops until 17.00. In larger cities, shops and offices open earlier and close later in the afternoon. Private shops are open on Saturday mornings.
Business contacts
Communication
Phone
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the country code is 00358. The area code for Helsinki is 9. There are no public payphones in Finland.
Mobile phone
GSM 900/1800. The main network operators are Alcom, Elisa (all GSM 900) and Telia (GSM 1800). The reception and transmission range is very large. Roaming abroad can be used within the EU at the regular home tariff of the respective provider. Roaming charges were abolished within the EU in mid-2017.
Internet
Internet providers are Telia Company and Elisa. Internet cafes are also rare in the larger cities. Most hotels, restaurants, bars, some public transport, city libraries and post offices offer free or inexpensive Internet service. Most cities have additional hotspots. Mobile surfing on the Internet is also made possible, among other things, by the Goodspeed Wi-Fi hotspots, which are subject to a charge.
Post office
Post within Europe takes about three days. In addition to post offices, stamps can also be purchased in bookshops, stationery shops, railway stations and hotels. Poste restante items should be addressed to the main post office of the respective city. The main post office in Helsinki, Mannerheimintie 1 A, 00100 Helsinki, is open Mon-Fri 08.00-21.00, Sat 09.00-18.00 and Sun 11.00-21.00. Post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, in winter often also 9am-6pm.
Radio
Numerous German-speaking radio stations can be received via Astra satellites or via the Internet in Finland, among other things.
