Europe

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There are confirmed cases of the H1N1virus (Swine flu) in Finland. A national quarantine policy exists, yet to be implemented. Passengers with flu symptoms arriving on flights from Central America and the US, plus countries with several cases of Swine Flu (including UK), are medically screened.  Finnair does not currently allow passengers with swine flu (or those exhibiting the symptoms) to fly.  Finland has purchased the pre-pandemic vaccine, to cover its whole 5.3 million population. It assumes two doses: one pre-pandemic, the other during a pandemic. In their response to cases of Swine Flu, Finland will shortly move to a “treatment phase”. You can check for updates on the number of cases and their location through the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs website. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6.  The World Health Organisation website has further details. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.  Check our Swine Flu page for further information.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• Finland can be affected by severe cold weather in the winter months, particularly in the North. You should be prepared for harsh conditions and if driving in the winter months cars should be winterised.
  
  
• Most visits to Finland are trouble-free. 14 British nationals required consular assistance in Finland in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (4 cases); hospitalisations (2 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (4 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (29 cases). If you need to contact the emergency services in Finland call 112.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.