Finland – Buying or Importing a Car

How do I buy a new car in Finland as a foreigner?

For foreign nationals, purchasing a car in Finland can feel like a complex undertaking, particularly when navigating unfamiliar language, regulations, and administrative procedures. That said, no blanket restrictions prevent foreign nationals from acquiring a vehicle — the most important thing is having the right paperwork ready before you approach a dealership.

When dealing with a dealership, you will generally be asked to show a valid passport or national identity card, evidence of your address in Finland, and — if you are a non-EU national — a valid Finnish residence permit. Your residency status matters considerably: lenders and dealers tend to view applicants with valid permits and stable, long-term ties to Finland more favourably. If you already have a Finnish personal identity code (henkilötunnus), bring it with you, as it is used throughout a wide range of official processes.

Financing options exist for foreign buyers through Finnish banks or dealership schemes, though the terms and interest rates on offer will vary. A reliable income stream and a proven credit record in Finland are important when applying for any form of vehicle finance. If you have only recently arrived and have not yet established a Finnish credit history, some lenders may be reluctant to extend credit, which means cash or bank-transfer purchases tend to be more common among newer residents.

Documentation commonly requested for finance applications includes a valid passport or national identity card, a Finnish residence permit (essential for non-EU nationals), and evidence of income such as recent payslips or bank statements reflecting regular payments. Always verify what documents are currently required directly with the dealership or financial institution, as requirements can change. The Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finanssivalvonta) oversees consumer credit providers in Finland.

Car tax applies when you purchase or bring into Finland a motor vehicle that has not previously been registered in the country. This means that even a brand-new car bought from a Finnish dealership is subject to the autovero obligation — though in practice, the dealership will typically handle this on your behalf and incorporate it into the final purchase price.

How do I buy a used car in Finland?

Finland has a well-established and well-regulated second-hand car market. Online platforms such as Nettiauto.com offer comprehensive listings enabling buyers to compare prices, mileage figures, and CO₂ values side by side. Purchases can be made privately or through dealerships; private transactions are widespread and tend to be less expensive, but they carry fewer consumer protections than a dealer sale.

Before committing to any used vehicle, thorough checks are essential. Obtain a history report to flag any accidents or outstanding financial encumbrances. You can verify ownership and review technical and vehicle tax data free of charge through Traficom’s public vehicle data service by entering the vehicle’s registration number or identification number. This is somewhat comparable to a Carfax check in North America or a DVLA enquiry in the UK, with the added advantage of being provided at no cost by the Finnish government.

A professional pre-purchase inspection typically costs around €100–€200 but can be a worthwhile investment in confidence, especially if you are not familiar with the local market or the vehicle’s maintenance records are patchy. Confirm that the seller has cleared any outstanding fines, road tax, and annual vehicle tax before money changes hands.

Always draw up a written purchase agreement that clearly records the price, the vehicle’s condition, and the terms of the deal. Use secure payment methods such as bank transfers and avoid handling large sums in cash. Once the sale has been agreed, a change-of-ownership notification must be filed with Traficom, which can be done via their online e-services portal. The seller continues to bear legal responsibility for the vehicle until the ownership transfer is formally entered on the register, so both parties have a shared interest in completing this step without delay.

Can I import a vehicle into Finland, and how does the process work?

Finland allows the import of both left-hand drive and right-hand drive vehicles. Since traffic in Finland moves on the right, right-hand drive cars are not banned but are inherently inconvenient for day-to-day driving. All imported vehicles must meet applicable EU type-approval or national homologation requirements and will be subject to a registration inspection before they can be formally registered.

Car tax must be paid when you bring into Finland a motor vehicle not previously registered there, when you re-register a vehicle brought from another country, or when you import a vehicle requiring Finnish registration. The procedure differs depending on whether the vehicle originates within the EU/EEA or from a country outside the EU.

The step-by-step import process is as follows:

1. Customs declaration (non-EU imports): If you drive the car to Finland, the car must be declared at the customs office when it arrives. If the car is transported by a carrier, declare the car in the Import Declaration Service for private persons. For vehicles arriving from within the EU, no customs declaration is required.
2. Submit a Declaration of Use: Submit a declaration of use and car tax to the Finnish Tax Administration. This must be done before the vehicle is driven on Finnish roads.
3. File a Car Tax Return (Autovero): All imported vehicles for permanent use require a car tax return submitted within 5 days of the declaration. This is filed through the Finnish Tax Administration’s MyTax online portal (vero.fi).
4. Pay the car tax: Vero will issue a tax decision, and you will pay the one-time autovero. The vehicle cannot be registered until this tax is paid.
5. Registration inspection: Head to an authorised station for a technical check ensuring your car meets Finnish safety and environmental standards. Bring your documents, including the COC (Certificate of Conformity) if available, and any customs decisions. The inspection covers brakes, emissions, lights, and more.
6. First registration with Traficom: When the registration inspection of your vehicle has been approved, you will receive a registration inspection certificate, which you will need for the first registration. Registration must be completed within 7 days of the inspection being passed.

Removal goods exemption: If you are relocating to Finland from outside the EU and bringing your personal vehicle as part of your household removal, a duty-free exemption may be available. The vehicle must be declared the very first time it is brought into Finland as removal goods, and you should be ready to cover customs duty and VAT if the conditions for duty-free importation of removal goods are not satisfied. If importing from another EU/EEA country as removal goods, no customs duty applies, though car tax and Finnish VAT may still be owed. Always confirm the exact conditions with Finnish Customs (Tulli) in advance of your move. If you intend to sell a vehicle imported as removal goods before the 12-month transfer prohibition has elapsed, contact the Customs Information Service regarding the payment of import duties and taxes beforehand.

There are restrictions on importing vehicles registered in Russia. Consult the Finnish Customs website for the latest guidance if this is relevant to your circumstances.

The two principal official bodies overseeing vehicle imports are Finnish Customs (Tulli), which handles customs declarations and duties for non-EU imports, and the Finnish Tax Administration (Vero), which administers car tax.

What are the costs involved in importing a car to Finland?

Bringing a vehicle into Finland involves several distinct layers of cost. Depending on where the car originates and what its emissions profile looks like, the combined total can be considerable. Below is a summary of the main items to factor into your budget:

Car tax applies to all vehicles registered for the first time in Finland or brought into use there. The rate is determined by the vehicle’s general retail value on the Finnish market and its carbon dioxide emissions (CO₂). Rates range from 2.7% for low-emission vehicles up to 50% for the heaviest polluters (as of 2025). Car tax for fully electric vehicles is 0%, meaning there is no one-time registration levy when you bring an EV into Finland.

VAT is applied to both the purchase price of the vehicle and to costs incurred for transport, loading, unloading, and insurance, as well as any other import-related expenses up to the destination in Finland. Customs duty is assessed on the vehicle price and the aforementioned costs up to the EU border, with VAT then charged on top of the duty as well. This layering of charges means the effective total tax burden on a non-EU import can substantially exceed what the headline rates alone might suggest. Always use the official car tax calculator on vero.fi to obtain an estimate before making any financial commitment.

Compared with countries that apply a simpler import regime — typically a single tariff plus VAT — Finland’s combination of autovero, VAT, and potential customs duty places it among the more costly EU member states in which to import a vehicle. Compliance-related modifications such as adjusting headlight beam direction, converting speedometers to km/h, or sourcing the legally required winter tyres add further expense. Always confirm current rates with Finnish Customs (Tulli) and the Finnish Tax Administration (Vero).

How do I register a vehicle in Finland?

Vehicle registration involves working with both Traficom and the Finnish Tax Administration (Verohallinto). Traficom — the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency — is the authority responsible for maintaining the vehicle register. Registration can be handled in person at an authorised inspection station, through many insurance companies or car dealerships, or online via Traficom’s website.

For a locally purchased second-hand vehicle, the procedure is relatively simple: submit a change-of-ownership notification to Traficom, confirm that any outstanding vehicle tax has been settled, and ensure that valid insurance is in place. A fresh roadworthiness inspection is not required at the point of a private sale unless the existing certificate has lapsed.

For an imported vehicle, a registration inspection (rekisteröintikatsastus) is compulsory before the car can be registered in Finland for the first time. The inspection is carried out at an authorised station and verifies that the vehicle conforms to Finnish safety and environmental standards. You should bring all relevant documentation — including the COC if you have one — together with any customs clearance decisions. The inspection covers items such as brakes, emissions, and lighting, and passing it is a prerequisite for completing registration.

A conformity certificate — such as the COC (Certificate of Conformity) issued by the vehicle manufacturer or their representative — makes it considerably easier to manage car tax, inspection, and registration matters when importing into Finland. It can be used to substantiate vehicle identification data and CO₂ values. Without a COC, the inspection may be more time-consuming and involve additional testing.

Documents typically required for first registration of an imported vehicle include: the purchase agreement and proof of payment, valid Finnish traffic insurance, the registration inspection certificate, the original foreign registration document, and — for non-EU imports — the customs clearance decision and evidence that customs fees have been paid. Formal registration must be completed within 7 days of passing the registration inspection.

For up-to-date fees and procedures, consult the Traficom website directly, as administrative charges are reviewed periodically.

What insurance do I need to drive legally in Finland?

Every car owner in Finland is required to hold a motor insurance policy (liikennevakuutus), which can be taken out with any authorised insurance company. This mandatory third-party liability cover — broadly equivalent to the compulsory motor liability insurance required throughout the EU — protects other road users against injury and property damage you may cause. Finland operates through a competitive private insurance marketplace rather than relying on a state insurer, so you can obtain and compare quotes from major Finnish providers such as LähiTapiola, OP, and If.

Beyond the compulsory liability policy, many vehicle owners also opt for comprehensive or partial comprehensive (kaskovakuutus) cover, which extends protection to theft, weather-related damage, and collision damage to your own vehicle. Given the demanding Finnish winters — with prolonged periods of heavy snow and ice — comprehensive cover is a practical choice that a large proportion of drivers here consider worthwhile.

Finnish insurers are not automatically required to honour foreign no-claims histories, though many will take prior claims-free driving into account on an informal basis. It is worth asking each insurer whether they will accept a written confirmation from your previous provider detailing your record, as practices differ considerably. Starting from scratch with a Finnish insurance history may initially result in higher premiums until your track record here is established.

If you bring a vehicle registered abroad to Finland for temporary use — for instance where the vehicle is registered in a country outside the green card system — you may need Frontier Motor Liability Insurance. Further details can be found on the website of the Finnish Motor Insurers’ Centre (LVK). Once your vehicle has been formally registered in Finland, standard Finnish insurance requirements apply. The Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finanssivalvonta) regulates insurance companies active in Finland and is the appropriate body to approach with any concerns regarding an insurer or policy.

What driving licence do I need in Finland as an expat?

Finland accepts driving licences issued by all countries it recognises. Your licence must either be written in Roman script or be accompanied by an official translation into Finnish, Swedish, or English. An International Driving Permit is not obligatory if your licence is already in a Roman-script language, though it can serve as a useful supplement where the licence is issued in a non-Roman script.

Holders of a driving licence issued in an EU or EEA member state may use it in Finland for as long as it remains valid. Permanent residents of Finland, or those who have been studying in Finland for at least six months, may choose to exchange it for a Finnish licence. A licence entitling its holder to drive a passenger car must be exchanged for a Finnish licence within two years of its expiry.

If your driving licence was issued in a non-EU country that is a signatory to the Geneva or Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, it is valid for use in Finland for a period of two years. Licences issued in Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan are also valid for a maximum of two years.

Exchanging a foreign driving licence for a Finnish one is possible once you are permanently resident in Finland. From the date of establishing permanent residence, you have two years in which to complete the exchange. Your licence must still be valid at the time of exchange, and you will also need to provide a medical statement.

Failing to exchange your licence within the permitted period, or allowing it to expire in the meantime, means you will be required to sit both a theoretical and a practical driving test in Finland — a significant undertaking that makes staying on top of your exchange deadline all the more important. Licence exchanges are administered by Traficom. Consult the Traficom website for the current list of countries with bilateral exchange arrangements and any fees that apply.

How do I sell a car in Finland?

The process of selling a vehicle in Finland is clearly defined, with specific obligations resting on the seller. You are responsible for notifying Traficom of the change in ownership and for ensuring the vehicle’s documentation is in order prior to completing the transaction.

1. Gather your documents: Collect the vehicle registration certificate, evidence of a valid periodic roadworthiness inspection (katsastus), and a record of any settled or outstanding vehicle tax.
2. Agree the sale price and draw up a written purchase agreement: A written contract protects both parties and should state the vehicle identification number (VIN), the agreed price, the vehicle’s condition, and the full details of both parties.
3. Notify Traficom of the ownership transfer: This can be done through the Traficom e-services portal online or in person at an inspection station. Either the seller or the buyer may submit the notification. Until the transfer is formally recorded with Traficom, the seller continues to bear legal and financial liability for the vehicle, including any fines or vehicle tax that may arise.
4. Confirm outstanding vehicle tax is settled: Verify that any accrued vehicle tax (ajoneuvovero) has been paid. Vehicle tax is due annually for passenger cars, vans, and lorries registered and in use in Finland. Any unpaid amounts may remain the seller’s responsibility if the ownership transfer is not completed promptly.
5. Hand over the registration certificate and keys: Provide the buyer with the original registration document and retain a copy for your own records.

Regarding tax implications, selling a privately owned vehicle at a profit could in principle attract capital gains tax under Finnish income tax legislation. However, personal vehicles used predominantly for private purposes are generally exempt from capital gains tax once a holding period has been observed. The position is different for business-owned vehicles or where vehicles are sold on a frequent basis. For guidance tailored to your circumstances, consult the Finnish Tax Administration (Vero) or a qualified tax adviser.

Are there any ongoing costs or obligations for vehicle ownership in Finland?

The Finnish car tax (autovero) is a one-time charge, levied when the vehicle first enters service in Finland or is first registered there. Beyond that, however, a separate annual vehicle tax (ajoneuvovero) applies to all registered vehicles on a recurring basis.

Vehicle tax (ajoneuvovero) is payable once a year and is collected by Traficom from vehicle owners. Petrol-powered vehicles attract only the basic tax component, whereas vehicles running on other fuels or power sources — such as diesel or electricity — must also pay a power source surcharge on top of the basic charge. The basic component is calculated on CO₂ emissions, giving the system an environmental dimension similar in concept to annual road tax structures found in various other European countries, though based on Finland’s specific CO₂ bands. Use Traficom’s vehicle tax calculator to estimate your annual liability.

Finland does not operate time-based motorway charges (vignettes), distance-based tolls, or emission stickers — a notable distinction from countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and a number of Central European nations where motorway vignettes are compulsory.

All cars in Finland must undergo periodic inspections at authorised inspection stations. The roadworthiness inspection — known as katsastus — serves a function broadly comparable to the MOT test used in some countries or the periodic safety inspection (TÜV) in Germany. The frequency of inspection depends on the vehicle’s age: new cars typically face their first inspection after four years, then every two years, moving to annual checks once the vehicle reaches a certain age. Check the current timetable with Traficom, as intervals are subject to regulatory revision.

Finnish law requires all cars to be fitted with winter tyres during the winter months. While this is not a tax or registration charge, it is a legally mandated recurring expense — in contrast to many other countries where winter tyres are merely advisable. Quality winter tyres and their seasonal changeover represent a meaningful annual outlay that should be budgeted for.

Ongoing insurance premiums also form part of the overall cost of ownership. Given the competitive private market, it pays to review your policy at each renewal. The Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finanssivalvonta) publishes information on regulated insurance providers active in Finland.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a Finnish residence permit to buy a car in Finland?

No legal rule requires a residence permit purely in order to purchase a vehicle. However, non-EU nationals will generally need one to open a Finnish bank account, access financing, or register a vehicle for permanent use. EU/EEA citizens can typically buy and register a vehicle using their EU identity document, though holding a Finnish personal identity code (henkilötunnus) makes the process considerably smoother. Check with Traficom for current registration requirements.

Can I drive my foreign-registered car in Finland after I move there?

You may use your car in Finland provided it is under valid registration in an EU or EEA member state, or you hold a transfer permit issued by a vehicle inspection office, along with a traffic insurance policy that is valid in Finland. Once you establish permanent residence, you are generally required to register the vehicle in Finland. Consult the Finnish Tax Administration and Finnish Customs for the specific timeframe applicable to your situation.

Is Finland’s car tax (autovero) included in the price when I buy from a dealer?

The Finnish car tax (autovero) is a one-time charge paid at the point of first registration in Finland, to the Finnish Tax Administration. When buying a new or used car from a Finnish dealership, the autovero is ordinarily already built into the advertised price. If you are importing a vehicle privately, the responsibility for filing and paying the car tax rests with you, via the MyTax portal on vero.fi.

Are right-hand drive vehicles permitted in Finland?

Right-hand drive vehicles are not prohibited in Finland, but since Finnish traffic moves on the right-hand side of the road, such vehicles are impractical for everyday use. Any imported vehicle — regardless of steering wheel position — must pass a registration inspection and satisfy Finnish safety and lighting requirements. Headlight beam pattern adjustments are typically necessary for right-hand drive cars.

How long does the vehicle import and registration process take?

The duration depends on the vehicle’s country of origin and how efficiently the paperwork is managed. For an EU/EEA import, the full sequence — covering the car tax declaration, registration inspection, and final registration — can often be wrapped up within a few weeks if all documents are ready. Non-EU imports take longer due to the customs clearance stage. Once the registration inspection is passed, official registration must follow within 7 days. Factor in additional time if the vehicle requires modifications to meet Finnish standards.

Do Finnish insurers recognise a foreign no-claims discount?

Finnish insurers have no legal obligation to accept foreign no-claims histories, but many will give weight to a formal letter from your previous insurer confirming years of claims-free driving. Policies vary between providers, so it is worth raising the question with each insurer you approach. The Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finanssivalvonta) can provide guidance on regulated insurers operating in Finland.

What is the katsastus, and how often do I need one?

Katsastus is Finland’s mandatory periodic roadworthiness inspection, carried out at authorised inspection stations. In practical terms it functions similarly to the annual MOT in some countries or the TÜV inspection in Germany. The required frequency varies with the vehicle’s age: new passenger cars are typically first inspected after four years, followed by inspections every two years, before transitioning to annual checks for older vehicles. Always verify the current timetable with Traficom, as the rules may change.

What happens if I sell my car before paying off import duty under the removal goods exemption?

If you intend to transfer ownership of a vehicle that was imported as removal goods before the 12-month prohibition on transfer has expired, you should contact the Customs Information Service regarding the payment of import duties and taxes in advance. Selling or transferring a vehicle that entered Finland under a duty-free removal goods exemption within this period will typically give rise to a liability for the duties previously waived. Contact Finnish Customs (Tulli) for advice before proceeding with any such transaction.