Everyman's Rights

Fresh food for free! One of the great concepts in Finland is called "Everyman's Rights". Every woman's too. This gives you permission to roam freely, pick berries and mushrooms, and enjoy the peace and quiet of the forests, lakes and rivers. Thanks to "Everyman's Rights" you have far greater freedom to roam in Finland than in most other countries.

Everyman's Rights is a concept that evolved over the centuries, an unwritten code created by a sparse population living in a vast, densely forested country. Just a few things to keep in mind. You can pick wild berries - but you can't pick someone's apples or plums. You can go canoeing and camping, but not too close to someone's house. Don't leave litter, and leave the place the way you found it.
Everyman's Right requires you to clean up after yourself.

Everyman's Right requires you to clean up after yourself.

On foot or skis, by bike or boat

The countryside is there for you to enjoy - on foot or skis, by bike or boat. There are few fences, so you can go almost anywhere. With this freedom goes a certain amount of responsibility. Remember not to harm plants and animals, or damage property.

Don't disturb people's privacy, and don't make a lot of noise. This can also reward you. If you are hiking or canoeing quietly, you have more chance of seeing a deer or elk.

Rights may vary from summer to winter. For instance, you shouldn't hike across a barley field in summer, but you can ski freely across it in the winter. Movement is often restricted in protected areas, in which case the restrictions will be clearly displayed. Take great care not to disturb the wildlife.

Do not touch nests or disturb young birds or other young animals. Naturally, you shouldn't remove eggs from nests. Remember to keep your dog on a lead from March 1 to August 19, when wild animals are rearing their young. Of course, this does not apply to hunting dogs during hunting season.

You may not drive off roads without permission from the landowner. Wheels cause ruts which can lead to erosion. In winter, snowmobile drivers must keep to the designated routes: public roads are strictly out of bounds. One more thing - helmets are a must for snowmobile drivers and motorcyclists in Finland.

Access to water courses

Freedom of movement also applies to waterways, even when they are frozen in the winter. The exceptions are military areas and the eastern border region. So you can go pretty much where you like by rowboat, sailboat and canoe. Motorboats may be restricted in some areas in order to protect nesting birds and rare animals and plant life.  There are also restrictions in harbours and narrow stretches of water.

In summer you can anchor for a short stay as long as you don't cause inconvenience. Make sure you aren't too near a shore with houses on it. If you're travelling by a motor boat, take great care not to disturb the wildlife - or your fellow boaters.

There are special waste disposal facilities at visitors' marinas and service stations. Human waste contaminates waters, so never empty it into a lake, harbour, coastal bay or any other narrow stretch of water.
 
Getting about

You can pitch your tent on private land with the permission of the owner or even in the wilderness if you like, but not on a beach or in a public place. Finland is well supplied with a network of first-rate campgrounds, which should ideally be your first choice. Also, you may find that in some towns you are not allowed to spend the night in your own vehicle.

You can pick wild berries - but you can't pick someone's apples or plums.

You can pick wild berries - but you can't pick someone's apples or plums.

Berries, mushrooms, plants and trees

There is food almost everywhere you look. You can pick wild berries and mushrooms freely almost anywhere, except for cloudberries in parts of Lapland. Restrictions are tighter, however, on picking and collecting plants and flowers, since Finland has a large number of protected plant species. Picking plants, berries and mushrooms is also restricted in protected areas. And before you pick mushrooms, it's a good idea to buy a guidebook, since some mushrooms are poisonous.
 
Everyman's right does not entitle you to chop down or damage trees in any way, even for firewood. Nor does it permit you to gather moss or pick shrubs. You can take any water you need for you own use from lakes and rivers, and you can also swim where you like, as long as you respect other people's privacy.
 
Lighting fires
 
You may not light a fire outdoors unless you have the landowner's permission. Even then, you should be extremely careful; just one spark can start a forest fire. Choose a spot that is sheltered from the wind and has a good supply of water nearby. Make especially sure that you put your fire out afterwards. In dry summers there is often a total ban on open campfires. Notices are displayed in prominent places. Fires should not be lit on rocks, as the heat may sear the rock and cause it to fracture.

You shouldn't cut growing wood to light a fire; anyway, you'd just get a smoky fire. But you can collect dead twigs and fallen branches. The safest place for a fire is at a camp site or in an outdoor recreation area, as these usually have special facilities for outdoor cooking. You don't need permission to use a camp stove.
 
Litter
 
Take out what you brought in, and never leave litter on any land, whether private or public. There are specially designated places for both liquid and solid rubbish. Everyman's Right requires you to clean up after yourself. Leave your surroundings the way you would like to find them.
 

 

Fishing and hunting

You will need a permit for hunting, as well as permission from the landowner. You can fish without a permit as long as you use a hook and line only and not a reel. Ask the nearest tourist office for advice.
 
Protected area
 
You may not immediately spot the signs marking a protected area, so you should make an effort to find out where they are before you start your holiday. Boaters should take particular care, as there are many rocks and islands where birds are protected. If in doubt, don't land, particularly in the archipelago.

Everyman's Rights on the Åland Islands

Everyman's Rights on the Åland Islands are more restricted than in other parts of the Nordic countries.

•    Preservation areas have their own regulations: you may not take away plants, stones, pebbles or animals; camping is prohibited, and dogs must be kept on a leash and in the vicinity of their owners.
•    You may move freely but you must avoid private property, take away all waste with you, and close all gates behind you so that animals do not escape.


•    You can pick berries and mushrooms for your own use, but you should not pick flowers
•    Seabirds must not be disturbed, especially between April 15 and June 15. Access to certain islands is prohibited, and fishing is prohibited from the shore on these islands during this time.
•    Fishing permits, available from shops and holiday villages, are required.


•    Campsites only should be used for pitching tents, unless you have permission from the landowner.
•    You can sleep in a caravan, camper or motor home at s campsite.
•    Sleeping overnight in a caravan is prohibited on streets or country roads, and in parks or parking spaces.


•    Fires may be lit only by permission of the landowner in specially allocated places, and only when no fire warning is in force.
•    Hunting is allowed only by special permission.
•    Sports divers need a special license from the authorities