Money, cards and ATMs in Finland

Cards, and only cards

Finland is one of the least cash-dependent countries in the world. You can spend a fortnight here and never open your wallet.

• Contactless works for everything, from a EUR 2 tram ticket to a hotel bill. Apple Pay and Google Pay are universal.
• Some places no longer take cash at all, including many cafes, museums and buses. This is not rudeness; the sign on the door means it.
• Carry EUR 20 to EUR 50 in notes for the exceptions: a market stall, a rural bus, a summer kiosk, a sauna entry box.
• Always choose to be billed in euros if a terminal offers you your home currency. The rate it applies is the terminal owner's, not your bank's.

Cash and ATMs

• The Otto network is the country's shared ATM system, in supermarkets, stations and shopping centres.
• Otto machines are generally free for a card issued in the EEA, and warn you on screen if a charge applies.
• Avoid standalone machines in tourist streets and airports with their own tariff.
• There is no reason to bring euros from home at a bureau rate. An ATM here is cheaper.

Prices and tax

• VAT is included in every advertised price. The price on the shelf is what you pay.
• The price on the menu is the price on the bill. No service charge is added.

Tipping

• You do not tip in Finland. Not in restaurants, not in taxis, not in bars.
• Rounding up a restaurant bill is the most anyone does, and even that is optional and uncommon.
• Nobody is offended either way. Service staff are properly paid and a tip is a small courtesy rather than part of their wage.

The one thing that will surprise you

• Finland is expensive, and alcohol especially so. See the Costs section for what things actually run to; the difference between eating in restaurants and eating from a supermarket is larger here than almost anywhere in Europe.