Accessing money
Credit cards, bank loans and travellers' cheques
Make sure you have organised a number of different ways to access your money in your home country before you arrive in Finland. This can be in the form of credit and debit card, cash or travellers’ cheques.
Credit or debit cards are the most common form of payment in Finland, so it is definitely worth checking with your bank in your home country whether using your card abroad is the most cost-effective way to make purchases.
Major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Card are widely accepted in Finland. When making a purchase by credit card you will usually be asked to present some form of photo identification at the till.
Finish credit cards for expatriates
As an expat in Finland it is usually difficult to get a credit card without having established a significant bank account and a steady employment history. Regulations for applying for a credit card vary between banks and even branches within the same bank. In this case it is advisable to use your credit card from home if you have one, provided the charges for using it are not too high.
If you are absolutely desperate to get a credit card from a Finnish bank, one option is to pay a hefty security deposit to the bank. This involves paying three times the amount of the credit limit you are applying for to the bank. This deposit will be held by the bank for a period of three years and will be paid back to you if you pay your bills on time throughout this time.
If you have been living in Finland for long enough with a regular income, you should have little problem in getting a credit card from a Finnish bank.
ATM cards in Finland
Opening up a Finnish bank account usually means you will get a Finnish ATM card which can be used to make withdrawals from cash machines. Ask your bank about the possibility of using this card to pay for goods and services in shops, as this too is common practice in Finland.
If you are planning to drive in Finland you should be aware that petrol stations can be an exception to the trend of paying by card. Although many petrol stations across the country are working to update this system, do not be surprised if some stations refuse to let you pay by card. In this case it is advisable to withdraw cash from an ATM before filling up with petrol.
Cash withdrawals in Finland
Check with your bank about any charges that may or may not be incurred from making a withdrawal from an ATM. As a general guide, withdrawals from an ATM at your own bank will be free of charge. If you withdraw cash from an ATM of another bank there is a chance that you will have to pay a small fee.
In any case, most shops and restaurants in Finland accept payment by card. If you do not have enough cash on you or you cannot get to an ATM, it is well worth trying to pay with your card.
Using travellers’ cheques in Finland
Travellers’ cheques are a very secure way to bring money into Finland. Writing down each individual cheque’s serial number insures you against loss or theft, so you should have these kept safely at home in case you need them.
You can exchange travellers’ cheques in Finnish banks and at a bureau de change in the city, at airports and at railways stations. Some larger shops will also accept travellers’ cheques as a method of payment, though preference is given to cheques issued in Euros, pound sterling and US dollars.
Banks in Finland may charge you for cashing your travellers’ cheques into a Finnish bank account, so you should check what these charges are as they are likely to vary between banks.
Also in this section
- Introduction: Finnish currency and cost of living
- Banking: Finnish banks and bank accounts
- Accessing money: Credit cards, bank loans and travellers' cheques
- Bank loans in Finland: Can you secure a loan as an expat?
- Money transfers: Transferring money to and from Finland