Finland

SAFETY: excellent
The whole country is generally considered safe. No particular risks are reported apart from (limited) petty crime and some environmental hazards in the remotest areas of the country, particularly in winter.

TRANSPORT: excellent
A modern transport system covering the whole country (air, rail, bus, metro, tram, taxi, ferries) makes it possible to reach any destination. Hiring cars, motorbikes, campervans, bicycles and boats is easy and convenient. Well connected to Italy and to all neighbouring countries. Part of the country (Lapland in particular) is hard to reach for much of the winter because of ice, snow and the lack of daylight.

Main airports: Helsinki (Malmi and Vantaa), Jyväskylä, Kokkola, Kuopio, Oulu, Pori, Rovaniemi, Tampere (Pirkkala), Turku.

Main ports: Hamina, Helsinki, Kokkola, Kotka, Naantali, Pori, Raahe, Rauma, Turku.

ACCOMMODATION: excellent
Finland offers a wide choice of accommodation of every kind, category and price. The international hotel classification (one to five stars) applies, and there are also farm stays, B&Bs, guesthouses, hostels, campsites and wellness or spa centres. There are numerous portals and websites useful for bookings. The restaurant scene is less varied.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Republic of Finland – Location: Scandinavian Peninsula, northern Europe. Borders: Sweden to the north-west, Norway to the north, Russia to the east, the Baltic Sea to the south and west – Time zone: UTC+2, one hour ahead of Italy, observes daylight saving time – Area: 337,000 sq km – Capital: Helsinki – Population: 5,238,000 – Religion: 84.2% Lutheran, 1.1% Orthodox, 14.7% other – Languages: Finnish (official language), Swedish, English – Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: euro– Credit cards: the major cards are generally accepted.

ELECTRICITY: 230 V and 50 Hz – Sockets: two-pin and Schuko type; bring an adapter.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: International dialling code: 00358– GSM: coverage across almost the entire country. Standards: GSM 900/1800 and 3G 2100 (as in Italy). Local operators: Ålands Mobiltelefon, DNA Networks, Elisa Corporation and TeliaSonera Finland – Internet: very widespread and available throughout the country – Web domain: .fi – Emergency numbers: single emergency number 112, roadside assistance 977476400.

DOCUMENTS: identity card valid for travel abroad (children up to the age of 15 must also have one, or be registered on their parents’ passport). Minors travelling on a birth certificate must be accompanied by one of their parents. There are no customs restrictions on personal luggage (Schengen) – Driving: Italian driving licence – Cars: Italian third-party motor insurance is sufficient for Italian vehicles.

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT: drug offences are punished as follows: up to 2 years’ imprisonment for possession of soft drugs (even in small quantities), 1 to 10 years for possession of large quantities or hard drugs. Sexual abuse and violence against minors are also punishable by imprisonment (up to 6 years). Penalties for drink-driving are particularly severe. Homosexuality is legal. Same-sex unions are recognised and there are specific laws protecting homosexuals from discrimination. The age of consent is 16.

HEALTH: no compulsory vaccinations. In general, the country’s health situation is good. Local medical and hospital facilities are excellent and medicines are readily available. Italian citizens travelling temporarily who hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) receive the treatment provided by the local public health service.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year’s Day; 6 January, Epiphany; Good Friday and Easter; 30 April, May Day Eve; 1 May, Labour Day; Ascension; Whitsun; Midsummer Eve and Midsummer Day; 1 November, All Saints’ Day; 6 December, Independence Day; 24 December, Christmas Eve; 25 December, Christmas Day; 26 December, Boxing Day.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Fri 9.00-17.00, Sat 9.00-13.00 – Banks: Mon-Fri 9.15-16.15 – Shops: Mon-Fri 9.00-18.00, Sat 9.00-17.00 – Closing day: Sunday.

CLIMATE: tempered by the Baltic Sea, the inland waters and the Gulf Stream. In summer the sun does not set in the north of the country for around 73 days; even in the south the nights are very short and light, with on average two hours separating day from night. Conversely, in winter the polar night, or “kaamos”, descends on the far north, in Lapland, and the sun stays below the horizon for 51 days. During this period, above the Arctic Circle, it is also possible to admire the Northern Lights. The best time to visit Finland is between June and July, when the days are long and sunny and the nights cool.

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USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY

Embassy of Finland
Viale Lisbona 3– 00198 Rome– Tel. 06 852231– Fax 06 8540362– Web: www.finland.it – E-mail: sanomat.roo@formin.fi

Consulates General
Via Francesco Ferrucci 2 – 20145 Milan –Tel. 02 3191071 – Fax 02 34538166
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 92 – 10121 Turin – Tel. 011 5613742 – Fax 011 5613982
Piazzale S. Maria Elisabetta 2 – 30126 Venice Lido – Tel. 041 5261550/5267418 – Fax 041 5267696

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN FINLAND

Italian Embassy

Itäinen Puistotie 4 – 00140 Helsinki – Tel. 00358 9 6811280 – Fax 00358 9 6987829 – Web: ambhelsinki.esteri.it – E-mail: ambasciata.helsinki@esteri.it