Finland Country Report

Finland is the easternmost state in the Nordic region of Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the north, Sweden to the northwest, and Russia to the east. The country is characterized by frozen tundra in the north and a coastal temperate south with access to the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland. Finland is a very stable democracy and there are few risks to foreign travelers. The country is exposed to minimal risk of conflict and public unrest is not particularly common. There are no major terrorist groups reported to be operating in Finland, however small scale lone-wolf incidents have occured. Rates of crime are low and the primary risk to travelers is petty street crime and cybercrime relating to data theft for the purpose of financial gain.

Finland's infrastructure is highly developed, and the country is connected by an extensive system of well-maintained roadways, as well as by safe, efficient public transportation systems. Hazardous road conditions during the winter months pose a threat to travelers driving in Finland. There are no major specific health risks posed to travelers. Medical care is of a high standard.

Finland is a member of the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA), the European Free Trade Area (EFTA) and the Schengen zone. In 2023, Finland joined the NATO alliance.

There are few security risks associated with travel to Finland and the the primary threat is petty street crime such as bag-snatching and pick-pocketing. Demonstrations are routinely held in major southern cities like Helsinki, Turku and Espoo for a variety of socio-economic reasons, but these are almost always peaceful. Exceptions include clashes between left-wing anarchists and right-wing nationalists which are usually heavily policed. Strikes and unionized protests can disrupt commerce and travel across the country. There have been heightened concerns over the potential for terrorist plots in the country, however no groups are known to be operating in Finland at the present. Airspace and naval border incursions by Russian military aircraft are possible, though these are very unlikely to lead to any military engagement.

There are no safety concerns over air travel in Finland.

Finland has efficient road and rail network. Driving conditions can become hazardous due to icy roads during the winter.

Finland is the only country in the world where all ports freeze in winter. However, they are very efficient when running.

Access to utilities is excellent and comparable to other developed countries. The telecommunications network is constantly being updated.

Cybersecurity in Finland has been affected by geopolitical developments connected to Russia and the invasion of Ukraine.

Due to its northerly location, Finland has an arctic winter climate and travelers may be required to take certain preparatory measures during their visit. In general, the weather varies significantly in different seasons and between southern coastal locations and northern Finnish Lapland. The most relevant environmental hazards include floods and extreme meteorological conditions such as storms, droughts, and extremely low temperatures.

Medical facilities and their staff are of an excellent standard and are available for emergency services across the country. Pharmacies are widely available and are generally well-stocked with prescription medicine and over-the-counter drugs. Water is safe to drink.

Finland is a unitary multi-party parliamentary republic. The President is the head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet form the government and exercise executive power. The unicameral parliament exercises legislative power. Parliamentary elections take place once every four years while presidential elections take place once every six years. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

Coalitions featuring a cross-section of political parties are typically required to form the government. Government collapses are rare. State institutions are competent and effective and provide reliable services across most of the country.