Where to buy this and that… when in Finland?
In some countries alcohol sales are restricted only for foreigners, while some countries regard tobacco as a state monopoly product. Where do I buy SIM cards in Finland? How about contraceptive pills? Below you will find a list of different items and places where to buy them, when living in Finland:
A
Age limits = legal age for driving car/motorcycle, alcohol, tobacco products, adult entertainment (porn maganizes, films, et cetera) and sports betting is 18. From the age of 20 onwards you are allowed to buy beverages with more than 22% alcohol.
Alcohol = In Finland there is a state monopoly on the sales of alcoholic beverages with alcoholic gradation superior to 5,4%. Check your local Alko (https://www.alko.fi) shop if you want to get stronger beverages (open till 21.00 from Monday to Friday in most of the cases, more limited hours during the weekends).
Shops are allowed to sell alcohol between 9.00 and 21.00, so keep it in mind straight from the beginning. And please keep your ID with you, since the sales clerks have the right to check your age if you look like younger than 30 years old (this age thing applies to cigarettes, betting and other age limited items as well).
B
Betting = Veikkaus is the state-owned company that manages sports betting, slot machines and lottery games in the mainland Finland (NB. In Åland Islands, PAF takes care of the same activities). A notable percentage of all funds generated by Veikkaus games go to financing eg. cultural associations, sports clubs, museums and youth work.
As soon as you get a Finnish bank account, you can get a Veikkaus card. When you use it when playing Veikkaus games, the money you win, will be transferred directly to your bank account. The card is strictly personal, so you are not allowed to borrow it to anyone.
C
Car spare parts = Motonet has the most convenient prices and a wide network of shops all around the country. Check their website (https://www.motonet.fi) for availability, selection and opening hours. If there is something you can’t find in Motonet, you can check Varaosahaku (https://www.varaosahaku.fi) and Autopurkaamot.com (http://www.autopurkaamot.com) for second-hand parts from different car junkyards around the country.
Condoms = Unlike in many other countries, you don’t have to go a pharmacy for condoms. You can buy them in food shops, kiosks and fuel stations for instance. If you want something fancier/more specific, you can check eg. Kondomikuningas webshop.
Contraceptive pills = You need to go to a doctor in order to get a prescription. After that you just go to your nearest pharmacy with your prescription and you’ll get the pills.
D
Diapers = Food shops keep you covered.
S
SIM cards = If you prefer having a prepaid SIM card, you can buy more credits in food shops, or in R-Kioski shops (the leading kiosk chain in Finland, much similar to Swedish Pressbyrån and Norwegian Narvesen). If you want a more conventional SIM card, visit the operator shop of your choice (Elisa, DNA, Telia) or go to their websites and order it.
Tobacco = Unlike in Italy, where tobacco is a state monopoly product, in Finland you can buy cigarettes in a myriad of different places: food shops, fuel stations, certain pubs and ferries are just some examples. The price of a pack of ready-rolled cigarettes starts from a bit more than 8€ and upwards. Cigars cost much more (those in metal boxes can cost up to 17€ a box). If you want to roll your own, you’ll get a pack for a bit less than 8€ (7,60-7,70€). When buying, pay attention to the fact that cigarettes are not visible anywhere. Ask the sales clerks for your brand.
If you are planning of quitting smoking, you’ll get nicotine chewing gum, pills and sprays from ordinary food shops.
I will update this list if there is something that comes to my mind.
Take care
Pekka