Sweden Finland
Sweden 
FinlandLast reviewed July 2026
Crossing the border
The road crosses the Torne River between Tornio and Haparanda in the north.
Driving rules in Finland
- Headlights on at all times.
- Winter tyres mandatory in winter conditions.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Watch for elk/reindeer on rural roads.
What to see when you arrive in Finland
- the Lapland and Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi
- the Helsinki Cathedral and Suomenlinna
- the Finnish Lakeland
- the northern lights of the Arctic
- the Åland archipelago
Once you're driving in Finland
Destination-specific detail sourced from national road authorities, motoring clubs and rental policies — the things that catch cross-border drivers out.
Driving on a foreign licence
EU/EEA licences are valid for your visit; non-EU visitors may drive on a valid home licence if it is in Finnish, Swedish or English, otherwise an International Driving Permit is required alongside it.
Tolls & road charges
Finland has no toll roads, motorway tolls or vignette system anywhere in the country.
Parking in the cities
Paid parking is enforced strictly in Helsinki and larger cities via meters and apps; overstaying or non-payment brings fines roughly 40-80 EUR, and some zones require a parking disc clock.
Fines & camera enforcement
On-the-spot police fines reach about 200 EUR, and serious speeding triggers day-fines scaled to income; camera fines on a rental are passed to the hirer.
If you have an accident
Call 112 immediately for emergencies; police attendance is required for injuries or major damage, and drivers normally complete a joint accident report form for insurers.
Driving in the capital
In Helsinki watch for trams, which have priority, and the city's many one-way streets and paid zones make the central grid tricky for newcomers.
Sources: rac.co.uk · visitfinland.com · expat-finland.com