Finland

Is Finland safe to visit?

Yes, very. The US rates Finland Level 1, its lowest advisory, and the country ranks 9th of 163 on the 2026 Global Peace IndexGlobal Peace IndexAn annual ranking of 163 countries by how peaceful they are, based on conflict, crime, militarisation and political instability.More in the glossary, ahead of every other Nordic country except Iceland. Theft is uncommon, and tourist scams are rare. We score it 89. The risks in Finland come mostly from nature and the seasons: deep cold, long winter darkness, remote Lapland, lakes and wildlife on the roads.

A homicide rate that does not touch visitors

Finland's one statistical oddity is violence. Police recorded 76 victims of intentional homicideHomicide rateThe number of people killed on purpose each year for every 100,000 residents. It is the most comparable crime figure between countries.More in the glossary in 2025 and 81 in 2024 (Statistics Finland), about 1.4 per 100,000 people. That is higher than in Norway or Denmark. But the pattern matters more than the number. Most killings happen at home, between people who know each other, often after heavy drinking. Finland has none of the gang shootings or bombings seen in Sweden, and violence against tourists is very rare.

Late on weekend nights, central Helsinki, Tampere or Turku can be loud and drunk, and the odd fight breaks out near bars or taxi queues. Walk away from arguments and take a licensed taxi home.

Russia, the border and drones

Finland's 1,340-kilometre border with Russia is the main reason some people ask whether it is safe. Day to day, it changes nothing for visitors. All land crossings have been closed since late 2023 and remain closed until further notice, according to the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary, and some maritime crossings are closed to leisure boats. The FCDO advises against all travel to Russia. It also notes that some Ukrainian drones aimed at Russia have crossed into Finnish territory, and asks travellers to follow official guidance.

Finland joined NATO in 2023 and has one of Europe's largest reserve armies and an extensive civil defence system. The FCDO says only that terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out. There have been no major attacks in recent years.

Driving in the dark and the cold

WHO estimatesWHO road-death estimateThe World Health Organization's estimate of road traffic deaths per 100,000 people in a country, adjusted for deaths that police statistics miss.More in the glossary 4.2 road deaths per 100,000 people in 2021. Statistics Finland counted 193 in 2025 (preliminary), about 3.4 per 100,000, and 178 in the 12 months to August 2026. That is well below the EU average, but higher than in Sweden or Norway, and the roads ask more of visiting drivers.

• Winter. Winter tyres are compulsory in the cold months and hire cars come with them, often studded. Roads in Lapland are packed snow and ice for months, and daylight is only a few hours in December.
• Wildlife. Moose collisions are common in autumn and early winter, often at dusk. In Lapland, reindeer walk on the road. Slow down where warning signs appear.
• Alcohol. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary notes that Finland's drink-drive limit is much lower than England's and that offenders can go to prison. Police run frequent breath tests, including the morning after.
• Headlights must be on at all times.

Lapland, lakes and the cold

Parts of Finland lie inside the Arctic Circle, and the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary warns that emergency care and search and rescue are limited in remote areas. In Lapland, temperatures often fall below -30°C in mid-winter. Most visitors go on husky, snowmobile or aurora trips, and established operators supply thermal suits and boots. Problems come when people go out alone: a snowmobile breakdown on a frozen lake or a wrong turn on a ski trail becomes serious within hours.

In summer the risk moves to the water. Finland has tens of thousands of lakes, many of them cold even in July. Wear a life jacket in a rowing boat, do not swim alone or after drinking, and keep the classic sauna-then-lake plunge close to the shore. Never walk on lake ice unless locals confirm it is thick enough.

Health and petty theft

Healthcare is excellent, and tap water is clean. Call 112 for any emergency and 116 117 for medical advice. Ticks are common in summer along the coast and in the archipelago, where some carry tick-borne encephalitis; check your skin after walks and ask a doctor about the vaccine if you plan to spend weeks outdoors there. Mosquitoes in Lapland in July are a nuisance, not a disease risk.

The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says pickpockets may target tourists in crowded places during the tourist season. In Helsinki, that means the Market Square, the cruise terminals and the Central Station in summer. Elsewhere, theft is uncommon.

How we scored it

Health (91), conflict (90) and road safety (89) are strong, and petty crime (88) barely registers. Violent crime (89) is lower than in Denmark because of the higher homicide rateHomicide rateThe number of people killed on purpose each year for every 100,000 residents. It is the most comparable crime figure between countries.More in the glossary, though visitors are rarely affected. Natural hazards (85) is the weakest factor, because of Arctic cold, cold water and long distances to help, the same pattern as in Norway.