Full UK/EU driving licence accepted
RequiredUK photocard and EU licences are valid for visits; no International Driving Permit needed for tourist stays.
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Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Finland
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Finland: 7 legal requirements + 10 other things worth knowing.
7
Required
5
Recommended
5
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Finland
7 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
Full UK/EU driving licence accepted
UK photocard and EU licences are valid for visits; no International Driving Permit needed for tourist stays.
Carry passport, V5C and insurance certificate
Keep vehicle registration (V5C) or hire agreement, motor insurance certificate and passport in the car; police checks are routine.
Warning triangle mandatory
At least one red warning triangle must be carried in every vehicle and deployed in a breakdown or accident.
Winter tyres 1 Nov to 31 Mar
M+S marked winter tyres (min 3.0 mm tread) are compulsory from 1 November to 31 March, and at any other time when road conditions demand.
Dipped headlights at all times
Daytime running lights or dipped beams must be on day and night, year-round, on every road.
Speed limits 120 / 80 / 50 km/h
Motorways up to 120 km/h in summer (100 km/h winter), rural roads 80 km/h, urban areas 50 km/h unless signed otherwise.
Strict 0.5 g/L alcohol limit
Blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/L; above 1.2 g/L is aggravated drink-driving carrying a prison sentence. Treat as zero tolerance.
Documents
Carry passport, V5C and insurance certificate
RequiredKeep vehicle registration (V5C) or hire agreement, motor insurance certificate and passport in the car; police checks are routine.
Green Card no longer required for UK cars
RecommendedSince August 2021 UK insurers' cover extends automatically to Finland, but carry a printed insurance certificate as proof.
Required equipment
Warning triangle mandatory
RequiredAt least one red warning triangle must be carried in every vehicle and deployed in a breakdown or accident.
Winter tyres 1 Nov to 31 Mar
RequiredM+S marked winter tyres (min 3.0 mm tread) are compulsory from 1 November to 31 March, and at any other time when road conditions demand.
Hi-vis vest when leaving the vehicle
RecommendedA reflective vest must be worn by the driver when stepping out on the carriageway after a breakdown; keep one within reach in the cabin.
Headlamp beam deflectors for RHD cars
RecommendedUK right-hand-drive vehicles should fit beam deflectors or adjust the headlights to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.
Vignette
No motorway vignette or tolls
Good to knowThere are no motorway stickers, toll roads or congestion charges anywhere in the country: all roads are free to use.
Emissions / low-emission zones
No low-emission zones
Good to knowHelsinki, Tampere and other cities operate no LEZ scheme; no environmental sticker is required to enter urban centres.
Driving rules
Dipped headlights at all times
RequiredDaytime running lights or dipped beams must be on day and night, year-round, on every road.
Speed limits 120 / 80 / 50 km/h
RequiredMotorways up to 120 km/h in summer (100 km/h winter), rural roads 80 km/h, urban areas 50 km/h unless signed otherwise.
Strict 0.5 g/L alcohol limit
RequiredBlood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/L; above 1.2 g/L is aggravated drink-driving carrying a prison sentence. Treat as zero tolerance.
Beware elk and reindeer
RecommendedElk and reindeer collisions are common, especially at dawn/dusk in Lapland and eastern Finland; reduce speed where signed and report any collision to police (112).
Emergency number 112
Good to knowDial 112 for police, ambulance or fire; operators speak English and the number works from any mobile without a SIM.
Environment
Lapland needs extra winter prep
RecommendedCarry a shovel, jump leads, warm clothing and a fully charged phone if driving north of the Arctic Circle in winter; fuel stations can be 100+ km apart.
Money
Euro currency, card-first economy
Good to knowCurrency is the euro; petrol around EUR 1.95/L and diesel around EUR 1.80/L (2026), and contactless cards are accepted virtually everywhere including unmanned fuel pumps.
EUR 10,000 cash declaration at border
Good to knowSums of EUR 10,000 or more (or equivalent) must be declared to customs when entering or leaving the EU; no tipping expected at fuel stations.
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Dipped headlights at all times
RequiredDaytime running lights or dipped beams must be on day and night, year-round, on every road.
Speed limits 120 / 80 / 50 km/h
RequiredMotorways up to 120 km/h in summer (100 km/h winter), rural roads 80 km/h, urban areas 50 km/h unless signed otherwise.
Strict 0.5 g/L alcohol limit
RequiredBlood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/L; above 1.2 g/L is aggravated drink-driving carrying a prison sentence. Treat as zero tolerance.