Travel Protection for Finland | Travel Protection & Assistance

Finland is a great place to visit at any time of year. It boasts beautiful scenery, eye-catching architecture, lots of winter sports opportunities and friendly people. It's generally a safe country to visit, with low crime rates, and has plenty of attractions for people of all ages. If you're considering visiting this beautiful country, it's a good idea to take out travel protection, to help protect yourself if your holiday is delayed or canceled.. In this guide, we'll look at what documents you need to have to travel to Finland and talk about how travel protection for Finland works.

Traveling to Finland: What Do You Need?

Before you visit Finland, it's important to make sure your travel documents are valid and up-to-date.

Passport

U.S. citizens who would like to visit Finland will need to have a passport valid for at least 3 months after the expected end of the stay and enough blank pages for the entry and exit stamps. Note that many airlines recommend or require travelers going to Finland to have a passport with at least 6 months of validity on it. If your passport is close to expiring, be sure to check your chosen airline's rules before you book.

Visa

Tourists can stay in Finland for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without needing a visa, as long as they are citizens of a visa-exempt country such as the United States.

What Travel Protection Do You Need for Finland?

Travel to Europe from the United States can be a costly undertaking, and because the flights are so long, you'll probably want to take significant time off work so that you can make the most of the travel. Given these factors, it's a good idea to purchase travel protection for a travel to Finland, so you can help protect your investment.

When you're considering a travel protection plan, you'll want to weigh the cost of the plan, the level of flexibility you want and what you're protecting. For example, if you're traveling light, you might not be too worried about having Baggage coverage. However, coverage for medical expenses is essential because the cost of care while abroad can be significant. Travel Cancellation protection might be a good investment if you're planning a travel several months in advance but is less likely to be a major concern if you're booking a last-minute holiday and you can be flexible about the activities you engage in while you're there.

How Much Reimbursement Coverage Should You Get?

Higher-tier plans have higher premiums but offer greater reimbursement in the event of covered travel cancellations, delays or interruptions. They may also be more flexible in terms of the types of issues they cover. In contrast, more basic plans cost less but have more restrictions. If you want the freedom to be able to cancel your travel for any reason, you'll have to take out a plan that explicitly allows this. Basic plans typically cover only unforeseen events, such as extreme weather, or the place you're traveling to closing down unexpectedly.

Which tier of plan would suit you best depends on how far away the travel is and how flexible you're willing to be. If you're going somewhere with unpredictable weather, have tight connections to make or the whole travel is focused around a specific activity, make sure your provider will help cover you if anything goes wrong. If you're willing and able to rework things and a delay at either end of your travel wouldn't ruin the holiday, more basic coverage might suit you.

How Much Are You Taking With You?

Another thing to consider is your luggage. If you're going on a long holiday, you might have a couple of suitcases of winter gear, and you'll need to make sure you have Baggage coverage that helps you replace your clothing if it fails to make it onto the correct flight.

If you're planning a skiing or snowboarding travel and taking your own gear, you'll have to purchase additional coverage for your sports equipment because this isn't covered under standard baggage protection. This can be done by changing your plan to Preferred or Premium. Read the terms of your plan carefully to confirm that your equipment is covered and that you know the procedures to follow to get full reimbursement if you do need to replace any gear.

How Much Medical Coverage Do You Need?

Medical coverage is something to take seriously. If you have any pre-existing conditions, be sure to check that the plan you're considering will cover them. Most basic plans have strict limits in terms of the conditions they cover and the level of reimbursement offered. Another thing to be aware of is the activities that are covered under basic plans. If you'll be engaging in any winter sports while in Finland, you may need a specific addition to the plan to cover injuries incurred during those activities.

If possible, take out a plan that offers coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation to help give you peace of mind that you'll be well taken care of.

Do You Need Rental Car Protection?

Renting a car is a great way to get around in Finland, giving you the freedom to go wherever you like, whenever you like. A part of your rental car fee will usually include basic protection. However, if you want extra peace of mind, it's worth adding extra car coverage as part of your travel protection plan.

Would CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason) Coverage Be Worth It to You?

Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage is exactly what it sounds like. It gives you the freedom to cancel your travel for any reason, whether a family emergency, medical crisis or being called up for work, and receive a portion of your money back. This coverage costs more than traditional travel protection, but it can be a good investment, especially if you're booking a travel well in advance and are concerned you might have to call it off.

CFAR might appeal to people who work offshore or otherwise have unusual schedules, people with very young children or those who care for older relatives and are worried about medical emergencies. Real life can get in the way of travel plans for many different reasons, and CFAR coverage gives you peace of mind that you won't be significantly out of pocket if you need to change your plans.

*This coverage is not available for residents of New York.

How Do You Get Travel Protection for Finland?

If you're planning a travel to Finland and want travel protection that's tailored to your specific needs, Generali Global Assistance is here to help. We offer a range of travel protection plans offering coverage for everything from basic medical expenses and baggage issues to sports equipment, pre-existing medical conditions and travel cancellation. Explore our travel protection plans and take out coverage for your holiday in Finland.

Essential Finland Travel Tips

Give Yourself Time to Explore

If you're planning a city break to Helsinki, give yourself 4 or 5 days to take in the sights. If you want to explore the rest of the country, plan a longer travel so you can soak up the culture and scenery without feeling rushed.

Remember That Shops Shut on Sundays

Most shops are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Sunday is generally a day of rest. Museums and other public attractions will still open, and you may be able to find a pharmacy (known as an apteekki) that's open, but don't expect to be able to engage in retail therapy on a Sunday.

Travel Between September and March to See the Northern Lights

We've all seen people posting photos of the Northern Lights as seen through their camera phone, but if you'd like to truly see them with your own eyes, head to Finland between September and March. This will give you the best chance of seeing the lights for yourself without the aid of digital enhancement.

Public Transport in Finland is Easy to Use

The public transport system in Finland is quite affordable, has good coverage and is easy to use. However, you might be faced with a hefty fine if you present the wrong ticket. If you're in or near Helsinki, use the HSL Journey Planner to check what ticket you need and get information about public transport routes to avoid any unwanted surprises or misunderstandings.