You will be early. That is the first rule of living in Finland and the one that surprises newcomers the most. A noon meeting means noon, not ten past, and a doctor's appointment means you are in the waiting room before the hour. The rest of the unwritten rules follow the same logic: say what you mean, respect the other person's space and trust that the country works.
This guide covers the daily-life side of living in Finland: languages, manners, sauna, nature, alcohol, holidays and the practical details nobody tells you.
Which languages matter when living in Finland?
Finland has two official languages: Finnish, the mother tongue of about 85 per cent of residents, and Swedish, about 5 per cent, plus Sámi in the north. Many Finns speak good English. Swedish dominates parts of the west and south coasts. Municipalities are either monolingual or bilingual, and in a bilingual municipality you can use Swedish with municipal services. On the Åland Islands, Swedish is the only official language; see moving to Åland.
For work, Finnish is usually necessary. English carries you in shops, cafés and many offices, and the DVV asks at registration which language you prefer to be served in. Start learning early. See working in Finland.
What is everyday life like when living in Finland?
- First names. People address each other by first name, even strangers and colleagues. The formal you is kept for very formal occasions and, out of politeness, for older people.
- Greetings. A handshake in formal situations, no kissing on the cheek, and eye contact.
- Conversation. Direct and sincere, with little small talk. Silence is not awkward, so do not fill it. People do not interrupt, speak loudly in public or show strong emotions.
- Personal space. You do not drop in on someone without warning, even between friends. You take your shoes off when entering a home.
- Punctuality. Arriving ten minutes late for noon is being late.
- Meals. Lunch around 11 to 12 at work and school, dinner around 17. Children eat free at school.
- Work culture. Little hierarchy, much autonomy, short days: eight hours, 40 a week at most as a general rule, a lunch break of at least 30 minutes after six hours of work. You do not run personal errands during working hours.
- Tipping. Not expected, though you can tip for exceptional service.
- Payment. Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Cash is rarely needed.
Wondering how a Finnish rule or custom applies to your case, or what to say to a landlord, a school or an office? Moovy can explain the local practice in plain English and draft the Finnish or Swedish message for you. It cannot replace the official source, so we show you where to confirm.
What is the etiquette in a Finnish sauna?
There are more than three million saunas in Finland, and one is often built into an apartment or the building's basement. Many Finns use it weekly. The etiquette is short: shower before, sit on a towel, stay calm and do not treat it as a social stage. In public saunas and swimming pools that are not mixed, you go naked, though a towel is allowed. A swimsuit is often accepted in mixed saunas. Nudity in a sauna has nothing sexual about it.
One safety rule for apartments: never leave the sauna heater on unattended, because of the fire risk; if you do not use the sauna, remove the heater's fuse.
What are everyman's rights in Finland?
The jokamiehenoikeudet give everybody the right to walk, ski and cycle in nature, to camp temporarily at a good distance from houses, to pick wild berries and mushrooms that are not protected and to fish with a line. You may not cross yards or cultivated fields, damage living trees, collect dead wood, light a fire without permission, leave litter, drive off-road or hunt. National parks have stricter rules, so check them before a trip.
In winter, wrap up properly. On ice you need at least 10 centimetres to walk safely, according to the authorities. They also advise a vitamin D supplement in winter, all year for children.
How do you buy alcohol, and what does it cost?
Alcohol is expensive. Lighter drinks are sold in supermarkets, while stronger spirits are sold only in the state monopoly's Alko shops. Drink-driving is punished severely. On prices, check your own shop receipts in the first week rather than a blog; see cost of living in Finland.
Which holidays shape the year?
Christmas and Easter are public holidays, and many shops and offices close. The paid public holidays in Finland, according to the University of Helsinki's almanac, are 1 January, Epiphany (6 January), Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, 1 May, Ascension Day, All Saints' Day (the Saturday between 31 October and 6 November, so 31 October in 2026), Independence Day (6 December), Christmas Day and 26 December. Midsummer Day and Pentecost always fall on weekends. Midsummer Eve and Christmas Eve are not public holidays by law, but many collective agreements make them paid days off, so most people do not work.
- Vappu (1 May): spring and workers' festival, picnics, doughnuts and sima.
- Juhannus (Midsummer, late June): many Finns leave for their summer cottage and light bonfires.
- Itsenäisyyspäivä (6 December): independence day, with the presidential reception on television.
- All Saints' Day: a quiet day of remembrance, with candles on graves.
How do recycling and deposit bottles work?
You sort at home: bio waste, paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastic, mixed waste, and hazardous waste, batteries and electrical items at collection points. Rules vary a little by municipality, and you find them next to the bins. Do not use another housing company's bins or put your business waste in them.
For drinks, bring bottles and cans, with their caps on, to the machines in supermarkets and get money back for most. More than 90 per cent of beverage packaging is returned.
What do you do in an emergency?
Call 112 for any emergency, free from any phone, with an answer in Finnish, Swedish and English and an interpreter if needed. The 112 Suomi app sends your position. The poison information centre is on (09) 471 977, around the clock. Do not use 112 for non-urgent questions: misuse can be punished. For urgent but non-emergency care, call 116 117, as explained in healthcare in Finland for expats.
What is the weather and light really like?
Winters are cold and dark, summers are bright, and the change is stronger the further north you go. Dress in layers, keep winter tyres in mind if you drive, and take the vitamin D advice seriously. The authorities advise a supplement in winter. In summer, many Finns head for their cottage, especially around Midsummer, so do not plan a government errand for that week.
How do you make friends?
Slowly and sincerely. Finns tend to keep a small circle, and friendships often grow out of shared activities: a hobby club, a sports group, a language course, a workplace. Join something regular, turn up on time and say what you mean. An invitation to a home or a sauna is a real sign of trust.
What should newcomers from the south of Europe expect?
No kisses on the cheek, first names for everyone, early meals and a strict relationship with time. Nordic and Estonian newcomers will find the codes familiar.
Which mistakes should you avoid?
Arriving "just a little" late. Filling every silence. Calling 112 for a permit question. Assuming everyman's rights mean total freedom: no fires, no camping near homes, stricter rules in parks. And leaving the sauna heater on.
Start with the paperwork in moving to Finland, and the rest of daily life follows.