Finland is very exciting and interesting country. A must-go there even for those who prefer to bask in the hot sun. We invite you to find out what currency is in Finland now.

What should a tourist do?

To understand this, we suggest going through the list of things you can see, learn or do only in Finland:

1. Absolutely calmly, without harm to your health, admire the northern lights.
2. Finland is a country of thousands of lakes and forests that cover more than seventy percent of its territory.
3. You can completely freely wander around any corner where many mushrooms and berries grow.
4. Only here you can try absolutely unique dishes.
5. Only in Finland can you see and communicate with the real Santa Claus.
6. This the best place to master the skill of skiing perfectly.
7. Breathe the cleanest air in Europe.
8. Take a steam bath in a real Finnish sauna, of which there are a huge number in the country.
9. There's no fear of losing your wallet or... mobile phone. After all, Finland is the most safe country, where lost items are always found and returned.
10. There are a surprising number of coffee shops to visit.
11. Finland is also the birthplace of the Angry Birds and Moomin games.
12. This is the most amazing language.
13. Finland hosts a huge number of different festivals throughout the year.

It would take a long time to list what Finland is the best at. But even here nothing comes for free, and local currency is needed.

Finland: country currency

Today Finland is a member of the European Union, so the national currency is the euro (EUR, €). As a matter of fact, as in other European countries Oh. The currency of Finland before the euro is the Finnish mark.

One euro is divided into 100 cents. Each member of the European Union issues its own coins with unique designs, but Finland's currency on banknotes looks the same as other countries. Each of the coins is legal tender in any of the eurozone countries.

A surprising fact about Finland: it doesn't use one- and two-cent coins. All amounts are rounded to the nearest five. Therefore, Finnish one- and two-cent currencies are highly valued by collectors.

The euro is quite easily converted from any other monetary unit. Receipt or exchange of money is carried out at Otto ATMs, located almost anywhere in the country and working with international credit and debit cards Visa, Visa Electron, Mastercard, Maestro.

By the way, the currency of Finland on the Åland Islands is the Swedish krona, and you can pay with it here in addition to the euro.

Credit cards are widely accepted, but identification will be required for purchases of more than €50. Visa Electron and Visa Debit are accepted in all large and small stores.

Banks are open from half past nine in the morning until half past four in the evening, and exchange offices do not close until midnight.

Expenses

1. In Finland, it is not customary to tip waiters, as they are already included in the bill.
2. In a taxi, the amount may be rounded to a whole number.
3. Cloakroom attendants at clubs, as well as hotel workers, are usually given a tip of three euros.
4. The cheapest hotels cost about 50 euros per night.
5. To get to museums or visit famous attractions, you should pay between five and twenty-five euros for a ticket. Depends on the specific location.
6. Travel between major cities by train or bus will cost at least twenty euros one way.
7. Private currency exchange offices offer very unfavorable rates. Therefore, it is better to use the services of banks or ATMs.

Purchases

The most common souvenirs from Finland are knives, carpets and all types of deer figurines, glassware and porcelain.

Small shops here are open from nine to eighteen local time. On Saturday, most are open part-time, and on Sunday they have a rest.

Large retail outlets will most often wait for you until nine o'clock in the evening on weekdays and until six on weekends. If you want to buy something after this time, gas stations remain at your disposal. By the way, it is absolutely not uncommon for Finland that the same product in completely different stores costs the same.

It is worth noting that when visiting Finland, amounts exceeding ten thousand euros must be declared if you enter or leave the European Union.

The Finnish currency has gone through difficult historical stages of existence. Today, the official currency of the country is the euro, and those wishing to visit the country should know how much money to take with them? Where and how best to exchange currency? What is better to pay: cash or credit card?

During the period when Finland was part of Sweden, the official currency on its territory was the Swedish riksdaler. Rubles have been used here since 1809 (after Russia conquered Finland).

In 1860, the Finnish state officially began to be called the Grand Duchy of Finland. It was from this period that the Finnish stamp was introduced - the official stamp of the country. In 1965, the currency was equated to the silver standard, in 1878 – to the gold standard. The gold standard of the Finnish currency was valid until the First World War. After the war, all banknotes had to be exchanged for new ones.

Before the euro was introduced, the Finns issued the following types of currency:

• Banknotes: 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 marks.
• The maximum denomination of small change is 10 marks, the minimum is 10 pennies.

100 pennies equaled 1 mark.

The exchange of the national currency into the euro was approved in January 1999. The exchange rate at that time was 1 euro to 5.9 marks. It was possible to exchange the old currency (Finnish marks) in banks until the end of February 2012.

All euro banknotes are the same for all EU countries, but the coins have their own differences. Thus, some Finnish coins have an image of flying swans on the reverse side. This design was chosen in honor of the release of a commemorative coin in connection with the 80th anniversary of Finnish independence (the author and artist of the image is Pertti Mäkinen).

Today, banknotes are issued with a maximum denomination of 500 euros, and a minimum denomination of 5 euros. Change - the most expensive coin - 2 euros, the cheapest - 1 cent.

100 cents equal 1 euro.

Finnish money today: what currency to take to Finland

Most tourists call Finnish money “Eureka”.

Visiting local cafes, restaurants, hotels, it is not necessary to have cash with you; you can also use money from your card, which must belong to an international payment system. But it’s better to have a few tens of euros with you.

When crossing the Finnish border, customs officers may ask about the availability of money - the tourist must have at least 50 euros per day with him (either in cash or on a card). If a passenger has more than 10,000 euros on him, it must be declared.

Few retail chains (especially those located near the Russian border) allow payment for goods in Russian rubles. It is better to ask about this payment option in advance. But paying in this way is not at all profitable after converting to euros. Experienced tourists advise using rubles here only as a last resort, and exchanging currency in Russia in advance.

Important information for those shopping in Finland. If the amount of goods purchased exceeds 50 euros, then the visitor has the right to return part of the money spent (from 13 to 20%). Be sure to ask about tax free conditions in stores and make sure that sellers do not forget to write a special check. You can get money at the airport. Before this, you cannot open the product or tear off the labels from it. Otherwise, it will be impossible to withdraw the money.

Exchange rate to ruble for today

As of August 2018, 1 euro = 73.4 Russian rubles (information is relevant for the Finnish state).

Currency exchange in Finland

Those who decide to exchange currency in Finland can do this at Forex exchange offices or near special counters at airports, marinas, train stations, and post offices.

If you choose the first method, then you need to go to the official Forex website, where you can find out the exchange rates or the addresses where exchange offices are located. Thus, tourists in Helsinki have 3 such points at their disposal:

• At the railway station. They work every day. Monday to Friday - from 8 am to 9 pm, Saturday and Sunday - from 9 am to 7 pm.
• IN mall Itakeskus.
• On Central City Street.

It is also possible to exchange currency in banks. They are ready to accept payments from 09.15 to 16.15. IN holidays, Saturday and Sunday they are closed. When exchanging currencies at exchange offices and banks, a passport may be required.

ATMs in Finland are not difficult to find; they are marked “OTTO” and only accept cards that belong to international payment systems.

Many tourists travel to Finland through the Svyatogorsk checkpoint. If before this it was not possible to exchange currency or there was not enough time, you can do this at VTB Bank or Sberbank of this locality.

Tourists who plan to visit other Scandinavian countries should take into account that each of them has its own national currency.

For a long time, the national currency of the country was the Finnish mark, but back in 2002 (how quickly time flies!) 12 Eurozone countries decided to switch to a common monetary system - the euro. Therefore, tourists who have visited the EU more than once will not have to get used to new unusual banknotes and coins.

Brief historical background

Purely for the sake of interest, one can recall the old Finnish marks, which were used to make calculations since 1860. The Finnish mark/markka, mark/FIM, FM was introduced on the territory of the Grand Duchy of Finland after the issuance of a corresponding decree by Emperor Alexander II. Before the euro, banknotes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 marks were in circulation,

as well as coins of 10, 50 pennies and 1, 5 and 10 marks. 1 mark was equal to 100 pennies.

National currency

Today, the euro does not need much introduction. This currency has long been well known to many of our compatriots. Now, in order to feel at ease in the country, tourists do not have to carry around with them, like a medieval lord, a bag with several handfuls of hard coins.

Banknotes are available in standard denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros,

coins - 1.2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, as well as 1 and 2 €. By the obverse of the coin, you can understand that it was issued by the Bank of Finland. Thus, on the obverse of the 5-euro (Summer series) a typical summer landscape and a low-lying sun are depicted,

and on the reverse there are water lilies, and the name of the issuing country “SUOMI FINLAND” is engraved.

Currency exchange

It’s better to go to Finland with euros straight away. But if for some reason it was not possible to exchange money at home or you need an additional amount of money, you will have to go to the nearest bank (working hours: Monday-Friday from 09.15 to 16.15) or the post office "Postipankki" (daily from 6:30 to 20:30). At regular exchange offices located at the airport, hotels, shopping centers, the rate is not very favorable. To complete a currency exchange transaction, you will be asked to provide a foreign passport.

Both dollars and Russian rubles can be exchanged. You will find out the current exchange rate if you use a currency converter.

Cashless payments

Almost all shops, restaurants, hotels and car rental offices accept credit cards of the international payment systems Visa, MasterCard, Diner's Club and American Express.

There will be no problems with cashing traveler's checks. In addition, money can be withdrawn from any ATM. But before that, you should find out about the amount of the commission being written off.

The best option, in our opinion, is to take cash in rubles and euros, and a bank card!

The modern state currency of Finland is called the euro and is common to most countries in the Eurozone. However, until relatively recently, in the territory of this small republic located in northern Europe, the Finnish mark was used as a means of payment.

Description

Many Russians do not know what the currency is in Finland today, since it switched to the pan-European monetary unit not so long ago, in 2002. Externally, the Finnish euro is practically no different from the euro used in the territory of another state in the EU.

Much more interesting is the old monetary unit of the state, which was called the Finnish mark. It was divided into 100 pennies, and its letter code for designation on the international financial market looked like FIM.

History of the currency of Finland

In the Middle Ages, when the territory of the country belonged to Sweden, Swedish riksdalers were used here. Since the beginning of the 18th century, when the Russian Empire began to lay claim to this territory, the money of Sweden and Russia has been in circulation on equal terms.

This situation existed until 1809, when Finland finally became part of the Russian Empire. Since then, the Finns began to use only rubles. However, in 1860, by decision of the emperor, Finland's own national currency was created - the mark.

This monetary unit remained even after gaining sovereignty at the beginning of the 20th century. However, various reforms were adopted and the currency was modified.

Transition to the euro

The decision of the EU members to switch to a common currency was made on January 1, 1999. On January 1, 2002, the replacement of Finnish marks with euros began. In Finland, the exchange rate at which the exchange took place was 1 EUR to 5.94573 FIM.

For two months, marks and euros were used in parallel throughout the country. From March 1, the euro became the only legal tender. Stamps could be exchanged in banks until 2012.

Rate

If we talk about the modern payment unit euro, then the exchange rate is known to almost everyone who follows the news. As of July 2018, the approximate value of the Finnish currency at the exchange rate to the ruble is 1:73. Accordingly, for one ruble you can get only 0.014 euros.

But few people know how much the Finnish mark was worth in relation to the ruble or other currencies of the world. As of December 28, 2001, the rate at which the Central Bank of the Russian Federation valued FIM was approximately 4.45:1. That is, for one stamp you could get almost 4 and a half rubles. Accordingly, for one ruble they gave about 0.22 marks.

Today, the Finnish mark is no longer used, so it is extremely difficult to predict how much it would cost in relation to the ruble.

Exchange operations

Finland is one of the most highly developed countries in the world with a powerful economy and high level life. Many tourists come here from all over the world, so exchanging money is not difficult. A big plus for Russians is that many financial institutions exchange rubles for euros without any problems. This is due to the huge number of tourists from Leningrad region and Karelia, who come to the country in their thousands for vacation and shopping.

However, it is much easier, more convenient and more profitable to exchange rubles for euros in Russia in advance. Conversion occurs at a more favorable rate than in Finland.

You can also exchange dollars without difficulty, but there may be problems with other currencies.

Cashless payments

Electronic currency in Finland is accepted almost everywhere: in restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, supermarkets and boutiques, as well as in taxis, public transport etc. Therefore, there will be no problems with paying for a purchase or service using a bank card.

If necessary, you can easily withdraw money from ATMs, which are located literally at every step. Fee for withdrawal from foreign cards, although it is charged, it is usually not too large.

Payment through contactless apps like Apple Pay or Andriod Pay is also accepted almost everywhere. Moreover, this method is becoming more and more popular every year.

Conclusion

Finland is a modern European state that stands out in terms of its level of development, even compared to many other European countries. There is a rich culture and history here, but what attracts tourists the most is beautiful nature and excellent conditions for a shopping tour.

People also often come to Finland to earn money or receive higher education. The level of wages in the country is higher than in many European countries, and averages 2-2.5 thousand euros per month. The Finnish educational system is considered one of the most progressive and effective in the world, so many people strive to get a diploma here.

Thanks to the large influx of foreigners into the country, interest in it is growing very quickly. The use of a common European currency in Finland makes visiting it much easier for foreigners who do not need to study the financial system or search for exchange offices.

Finland is one of many countries included in the so-called eurozone thanks to the international campaign for European integration. Just like the other 10 EU countries, Finland replaced its national currency into the euro, thereby improving economic interaction with EU member states. Today, exchange rates for world currencies into euros in the country are set by an international bank. However, this was not always the case, and at one time the Finns had their own currency, and Finnish money also went through a certain historical path of development.

Finnish mark: to the origins of coinage

The development of coinage in Finland can be divided into 3 periods:

• Finland, as part of Sweden;
• Finland, as part of Russia;
• Independent Finland.

During the period of dependence on Sweden, the main currency used in the Finnish markets was the Swedish riskdaler. Later, with the course of Russian-Swedish military clashes, the Russian ruble came into use. Only in 1860 did the Grand Duchy of Finland acquire its own currency, which was called the mark.
Interestingly, Finnish stamps became the prototype of a similar monetary unit in Germany, having appeared earlier on the territory of modern Europe. Until the outbreak of the First World War, which turned the world economy upside down, there was a Gold Standard in Finland, according to which all coins contained 0.3 g of real pure gold.

Finland's transition from marks to the euro

In 2002, as part of the European integration procedure, Finland abandoned stamps and recognized the euro as new currency at the state level.
The peculiarity of using this monetary unit is that the common side for all EU countries is the reverse, on which the denomination is indicated, but the obverse shows the obverse side, which is specific to each country. Finland's money has its face on flying swans, the basis for which was a special coin issued in honor of the country's 80-year independence.

Currency exchange in Finland

The most common dollars can be exchanged for euros both at the airport, hotels and even on ferries. There are exchange offices such as Forex and Tvex on the territory of the country, which work full time. But the most reliable way to exchange any currency for euros remains official bank branches, which provide a stable rate and reliable payment.
When exchanging currency in Finland, some branches require the presentation of a passport, but there are also places where documents are not required. The country also has a system of non-cash payment for services and goods using credit cards.
Regarding the import of currency into Finland or outside the country, the legislation does not specify any restrictions.