The Finland Business Travel Guide has travel resources to help business travellers, there are several useful resources contained in the guide. The guide contains facts on Finland, business customs, visa information, useful tips and other resources. Good understanding of other cultures, languages, customs and traditions can be of great use to business travellers and offer extra help to ensure a successful business trip.
Finland has an advanced, high income and developed economy with a number of business opportunities. It is a member of the OECD, the EU and a founding member of the Eurozone. Major trading partners include the European Union especially Sweden, Germany and the UK, Russia and the USA. The country shares borders with Scandinavian neighbours Norway to the north and Sweden to the west and Russia to the east; to the south is the Gulf of Finland.
Finland is one of the northernmost countries in the world; it has a variety of landscapes including thousands of lakes and islands, forests, fens and glaciers. Famous attractions include National Museum of Finland; the Helsinki City Museum; the Finnish Art Gallery, Helsinki Cathedral, Helsinki Zoo in the capital city of Helsinki. Other attractions include Lapland and the Northern Lights, Lemmenjoki National Park and Archipelago National Park .
Finland Guide
Quick Facts on Finland
Finland Travel Advice
Visa Requirements
Business Customs and Etiquette
Travel Advice and Tips
Public Holidays
Finland Map
Finland Weather & Climate
Quick Facts on Finland
County: Finland
Capital: Helsinki
Currency: Euro (1 Euro = 100 cents)
Population: 5.4 Million (UN, 2012)
Area total: 338,000 sq km
Languages: Finnish, Swedish
Time Zone: GMT +2
Daylight Saving Details: Starts in late March until late October
Electricity: 230V 50Hz
Dialling Code: 358
GDP: USD 256.8 billion (World Bank, 2013)
Religion: Lutheran & Orthodox
Political System: Republic
Internet Domain: .fi
Finland Travel Advice
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office offers travellers useful advice when travelling to Finland. There is information on entry requirements for Finland, advice on local laws and customs, tips on safety and security and the address and contact details of the British Embassy in Finland. The information posted is usually up to date making it a useful resource for both business and leisure travellers to check before beginning their trips. For more information please see: Finland Travel Advice
Visa Requirements
No visa requirement for national of EU member states. No visa need for US and Canadian nationals for visits less than six months. Visa requirements are subject to change with changes in requirements and rules for further information please see: Finland Embassy UK
Business Customs and Etiquette
Business dress is conservative with dark coloured suits the norm. Meetings should be arranged in advance, business greetings are usually formal with a handshake and eye contact. Business cards are exchanged after introductions, meetings are formal with Finns keen to get on with the business at hand. Visitors may find Finns are naturally reserved and modest and may not readily engage in small talk. Trust is important and verbal agreements are taken seriously. Punctuality for meetings is viewed as extremely important.
Most Finnish business people speak English; although translators are available if needed. The holiday seasons in Finland include February and late June to late July periods in which there is much less business activity. It is not unusual in Finland to have business deals done at a sauna; meetings here provide an informal and relaxed environment.
Travel Advice and Tips
Finland is a relatively safe country for business travellers and tourists. The majority of visits are incident free, but beware of pick pockets in crowded areas and keep valuables away from public view. Finland can also have severe weather in the winters thus sensible precautions need to be followed. Always remain alert to your surroundings and environment to help steer clear of trouble.
Travel Checklist: See our Packing Checklist containing useful tips and reminders to ensure you have everything you will need on your trip.
Travel Vaccinations: It is recommended you check with your GP whether any travel vaccinations are required up to eight weeks before you travel. For more information and advice on travel vaccinations please see the NHS Fit for Travel website.
Tipping: If service charge is not included usually around 10%
Hours of Business:
For Business:
8.00 to 17.00 in summer
8.00 to 16.00 in winter
For Banking:
09.15 to 16.15 Usually from Monday to Friday
Public Holidays
Public Holidays (2015):
January 1: New Year's Day
January 6: Epiphany
March 29: Good Friday
March 31: Easter Sunday
April 1: Easter Monday
May 1: May Day
May 9: Ascension Day
May 19: Whitsunday
June 22: Midsummer Day
November 1: All Saints
December 6: Independence Day
December 25: Christmas Day
December 26: Boxing Day
Finland Map
Map of Helsinki, Finland
View Larger Map
Finland Weather & Climate
Finland's location in the northern hemisphere means it its fair share of snow and ice in the winter, however it is surprisingly hospitable in the summer that are often warm and sunny due to the fact Finland enjoys relatively milder weather for a country located at its latitude. In spring and autumn it can be pleasant. Finland is famous for its midnight sun in the middle of summer; generally the south of the country enjoys a relatively milder climate than is the case for the north. Winter is cold with plenty of snow and short days with snow lasting from October/November to March/April.
Lightweight cotton clothing can be warn in the summer with longer sleeves and light jackets needed for the evenings. Waterproof clothing is useful to have throughout the year, additional layers and heavyweight warm clothing is required in the winter with snow and plunging temperatures. Visitors to the Artic North of Finland will require specialist clothing suitable for expeditions in such climates.
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
