Finland
Finland is an EU member state and part of the Schengen area. The country covers an area of around 340,000 km², with a population of 5.5 million (16/km2). Over 70% of the country is covered by forests, along with more than 180,000 freshwater lakes. The climateThe average weather we would expect over a long period of time (seasons, years, decades). Climate varies from place-to-place across the Earth. Climate is determined by long-term (over at least... More varies relative to latitude, from the southern humid continental climateThe average weather we would expect over a long period of time (seasons, years, decades). Climate varies from place-to-place across the Earth. Climate is determined by long-term (over at least... More to the northern borealNorthern, from Boreas, the Greek god of the north wind.... More, sub-arctic climateThe average weather we would expect over a long period of time (seasons, years, decades). Climate varies from place-to-place across the Earth. Climate is determined by long-term (over at least... More. The following information aims at providing an overview of the most common permit types relevant for scientists travelling to and working in Finland.
National rules and regulations are given for the following categories:
- Cross border travel (persons, equipment, samples, chemicals),
- Access to specific areas,
- Permits to conduct fieldwork and collect samples,
- Field instrumentation,
- Safety equipment and
- Regional/local permits.
Additional information sources relevant for conducting science in Finland are also listed.
Disclaimer: INTERACT takes no legal responsibility for the information presented here. These pages only address the most common permit types. Certain studies may require specialist permits not covered here. New regulations may also come into force, permit conditions may change and links may become outdated or no longer work. If you encounter broken links, significant permit updates or have suggestions for additional permit types we can include, please contact us at https://eu-interact.org/contact/.
Depending on your country of citizenship, you may need a visa to enter Finland. Visa requirements and accepted travel documents for entry in Finland are listed here: https://um.fi/visa-requirement-and-travel-documents-accepted-by-finland.
Guidelines for visa applications (https://um.fi/visa-to-visit-finland)
Note that there is a processing fee applicable to all visa applications.
If you need a visa to enter Finland, the procedure is according to the EU visa regulations (Schengen). A visa normally grants you the right to stay in the entire Schengen region for up to 90 days.
It depends on your citizenship whether you need a residence and work permit to be able to work in Finland. Citizens of EU/EEA member states do not need permits but non-EU/EEA citizens do. Instructions on how to apply for residence permit.
Find information on application form for residence permit as a researcher here: https://migri.fi/en/researcher.
You can find general information and links to relevant COVID-19 related information on the website of the Finnish Government .
You can find further information regarding the temporary Finnish travel restrictions on the website of Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.
General import and export restrictions for Finland can be found here: https://tulli.fi/en/private-persons/travelling/restrictions.
You can apply for relief from customs duty for scientific instruments from outside the EU. Find more information here: https://tulli.fi/en/businesses/import/scientific-instruments-and-apparatus.
Find import/export information for the European Union here: https://ec.europa.eu/trade/import-and-export-rules/.
Finland is party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) is the agency with responsibility for implementing CITES and the issuing of permits.
In general, it is recommended to use a shipping/transport agency, in order to assure compliance with complex regulations. Research stations and institutions may provide access to some types of chemicals that can be used by visiting scientists
Find information from the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency.
Information on transporting radioactive materials can be found here: https://www.stuk.fi/web/en/stuk-supervises/for-the-users-of-radiation/regulation-of-operations/transport-of-radioactive-substances.
Responsible access to the countryside is protected by legislation – Everyman’s Right (‘Jokamiehen Oikeudet’). However, this access does not extend to the use of vehicles unless landowner permission is obtained.
Everyman´s Right is more limited within protected areas, where a permit is needed for research. Note that getting the required permission can take some time.
Government owned protected areas are managed by Metsähallitus .
More information on Strict Nature Reserves, which are protected for conservation and research, can be found here: https://www.metsa.fi/en/lands-and-waters/protected-areas/nature-reserves/strict-nature-reserves/.
Instructions on how to apply for permission can be found here: https://www.metsa.fi/en/lands-and-waters/permits/permits-for-research-and-photography/.
Special permission is needed from the Finnish Border Guard for activities in the Finnish-Russian border zone.
You may need one or more research permits, licenses or authorizations for conducting research in Finland. Whether you need to obtain such document(s) depends on the area you want to go to and the type of research you conduct.
There is no central coordination of research applications in Finland. Scientists need to identify all relevant permits themselves and obtain them from relevant authorities.
Note that you might need a permit for other more special activities like e.g., for hunting and fishing, driving snowmobile etc. Find an overview of such activities in government owned protected areas here: https://www.nationalparks.fi/hikinginfinland/feesandpermits.
Note that it may take some time to acquire a permit, and that a fee is often payable.
Landowner permission is required for sampling. You can find landowner information here: https://www.maanmittauslaitos.fi/en/apartments-and-real-property/services/who-owns-property-unit.
Landowner and protect species permission is required for sampling. You can find landowner information here: https://www.maanmittauslaitos.fi/en/apartments-and-real-property/services/who-owns-property-unit
Most of mammals and birds are protected in Finland by national or EU legislation. In addition, some plants are also protected. Studies which disturb, catch or harm protected species requires permission. Applications should be submitted to the relevant regional Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment office.
If a national scale permit is required to cover all of Finland, applications should be submitted to the Ministry of Environment.
If you need to transport living or dead protected species, you need permission from the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Southwest Finland.
Studies on reindeers needs permission from the owner.
Find more information on the website of the Finnish Heritage Agency.
Find information here: https://www.findata.fi/en/services/data-permits/ or contact the contact the Social and Health Data Permit Authority (email: info@findata.fi) . Note that you may need also a statement from an ethical committee.
Research that may impact Sámi cultural heritage needs approval.
Find more information about the procedures for seeking consent for research projects dealing with Sámi cultural heritage and traditional knowledge here: https://www.samediggi.fi/procedure-for-seeking-consent-for-research-projects/?lang=en.
If you want to take samples, make measurements or install instruments, which disturbs or impacts soil, plants and lichen (and is not covered by Everyman’s Right), you need the permission of the landowner.
You can find landowner information here: https://www.maanmittauslaitos.fi/en/apartments-and-real-property/services/who-owns-property-unit.
Metsähallitus is the authority that provides permits for government owned land.
Use of drones is regulated in Finland. Find general information (e.g. on prohibited and restricted areas) here: https://www.droneinfo.fi/en/.
Information about EU drone regulations can be found here: https://www.droneinfo.fi/en/eu-drone-regulation.
Find information about restrictions and permits for the import and export of firearms here: https://tulli.fi/en/private-persons/travelling/firearms.
According to the Finnish legislation, all transmitters must be licensed. The point of contact for beacon matters is the Finnish Transport and Communication Agency (Traficom).
You can apply for a radio license for a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) here: https://www.traficom.fi/en/services/radio-licence-and-identification-number-plb.
If you work out of a research station, it is highly recommended to ask for guidance from the station manager. Information about station specific permits and policies can often be found on their respective websites. Contact information for all INTERACT stations.
In general, you can ask the different organizations and agencies in English. However, in some cases you may need a Finnish partner to help with translations.
