Finland

Recommended Vaccinations For Finland

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers who may have direct contact with bats, e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine

**Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis is recommended if travelling in areas where contact with ticks might occur (camping, hiking, outdoor activities) during early spring to late autumn.**

Recommended Medications For Finland

There are no recommendations for Finland at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Finland

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Finland.

Hepatitis A

There is a risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Finland through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

For Some Travellers

Tuberculosis

Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Measles

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Rabies

Rabies occurs only in bats in Finland. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with bats are at higher risk.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis

**There is a risk of Tick-Borne Encephalitis in some areas of this country. The main affected regions are Åland islands, the archipelago of Southwest Finland, South Karelia, Lapland, Central and Northern Ostrobothnia. Other regions affected include Central and Eastern Finland, Finnish Capital Region, Kymenlaakso, Ostrobothnia, and Uusima. The transmission season varies, however, ticks are most active during early spring to late autumn.**

Safety & Security in Finland

Personal Safety

Finland ranks as one of the safest countries in the world for visitors and residents. Crime rates remain low, with violent crime uncommon. Petty theft represents the most common risk, especially in Helsinki during summer tourism season. Pickpockets target crowded areas such as railway stations, markets, and popular tourist sites. Most thefts result from unattended bags rather than confrontations. The country’s single emergency number is 112, which connects callers to police, medical services and fire response across Finland. Visitors should continue to apply standard safety precautions such as supervising valuables and wearing suitable equipment in winter or remote regions.

Extreme Violence

Finland has a comparatively low incidence of terrorism, with the most prominent case being the August 2017 stabbing attack in Turku, which resulted in two deaths and is legally classified as Finland’s first terrorism conviction. The Government of Finland maintains a public alert system on terrorism and communicates threat level changes online and through local and social media. The current threat level for Finland is level 2 (“elevated”) on a scale of 4. Although violent crime is rare, visitors are advised to remain alert in public spaces. Be particularly vigilant if attending sporting events and during religious holidays and other public celebrations, as terrorists have used such occasions to mount attacks.

Political Unrest

Protests occur regularly in Finland, with hundreds of demonstrations organised annually. Recent years saw significant mobilisation against government austerity measures, labour reforms, and social welfare cuts. Most protests remain peaceful but can disrupt traffic and public transportation. Police do not prevent unannounced demonstrations unless they threaten public order or safety. Visitors are advised to monitor local media for major planned actions and avoid being in the vicinity of large gatherings or unexpected protest activity.

Areas To Avoid

Finland remains one of the safer countries globally for visitors, with overall crime levels remaining relatively low and violent crime especially uncommon. Urban areas such as Helsinki, Vantaa and Tampere are ranked using a disturbance index — a measure based on public-place homicides, assaults, sexual offences and vandalism — with Vantaa frequently recording the highest rate of disturbances. The capital city of Helsinki reports higher instances of pickpocketing and theft in busy tourist locations such as the central railway station and major shopping streets. Travellers are advised to keep valuables secure and remain alert in crowded settings. Outside the urban centres, particularly in remote and northern regions, the primary risks stem from wilderness and weather conditions rather than crime: extreme winter weather, limited daylight and vast terrain can create genuine hazards for unprepared travellers. The region demands proper equipment, wilderness skills, and ideally professional guides for extended outdoor activities.