Finland

In 2025, Finland stands out for its remarkable political and economic stability, despite a tense geopolitical context stemming from the war in Ukraine and the Russian threat. Since joining NATO in April 2023, Helsinki has strengthened its defence posture while maintaining an open society and robust institutions.

Almost the entire country — including Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Oulu, the coastal regions, the lakes, and rural inland areas — is considered safe, with extremely low levels of criminal violence, terrorism, or civil unrest. Finland has experienced only one terrorist attack, which occurred in Turku on the 18th of August, 2017. According to the 2025 Global Peace Index and Business Insider, Finland ranks among the most peaceful countries in the world, particularly regarding social security.

Finland’s major cities offer modern infrastructure, a high standard of living, and reliable access to medical care and emergency services (dial 112). The main risk remains petty crime (bag-snatching, pickpocketing), especially in busy locations such as Helsinki’s central railway station or markets.

However, the rise in regional tensions and Russia’s increasingly aggressive stance since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine have led Finland to significantly reinforce security along its eastern border and to undertake a comprehensive review of its defence posture. Certain areas are now to be avoided:
The eastern border with Russia: Since May–June 2025, Helsinki has intensified surveillance along its 1,340 km land border with Russia: fences, heightened monitoring, mobilisation of reservists, and a proposed NATO headquarters in Mikkeli. The border area is now indefinitely closed and militarised. Controls are strict, tourist crossings are prohibited, and geopolitical tensions are particularly high. It is therefore advised to avoid immediate proximity to the border and exercise particular caution when travelling to the Lappeenranta or Imatra areas, which are considered sensitive.

Potential demonstrations in major cities: Social or trade union protests may occur, as in February and August 2023. These are usually peaceful, but clashes can sometimes break out. The Finnish police recommend that residents avoid city centres during such events and regularly issue safety guidance via media and social networks.

Extreme weather conditions and isolated areas: In winter, due to particularly harsh weather, driving, walking, or cycling can become hazardous, especially in rural or unmarked forest areas. It is essential to follow road safety rules (winter tyres are required between December and March), avoid remote areas in Lapland without landmarks, and plan journeys according to weather forecasts.

Finland faces an intensification of hybrid threats, primarily from state actors such as Russia and China. According to the Finnish Security Intelligence Service (Supo), “grey zone” attacks — i.e., below the threshold of open armed conflict — have become a major strategic concern. These threats include economic and political espionage, targeted cyberattacks, covert sabotage of infrastructure, and disinformation and propaganda campaigns aimed at sowing social discord or undermining trust in institutions.
For instance, on the 25th of December 2024, the Estlink 2 submarine power cable linking Finland to Estonia was damaged, causing a partial blackout. Authorities suspect the Russian-linked “shadow fleet” tanker Eagle S of deliberately damaging the cable with its anchor. The vessel was seized in Finnish waters, and the incident is being treated as aggravated sabotage. Similarly, from May 2024, several water treatment facilities in Finland (Pirkanmaa, Uusimaa, Varsinais-Suomi) were subject to suspicious intrusions. Although the incidents were minor, the possibility of more extensive sabotage cannot be ruled out. Supo considers these incidents potentially linked to espionage or regional destabilisation strategies.

In this context, Finland has intensified its efforts to protect critical infrastructure, particularly in the fields of health, energy, transport, and telecommunications. Special attention is being given to the cybersecurity of sensitive databases, such as those containing genetic or medical information, which are considered high-value strategic targets.

Supo also warns of the rapid evolution of foreign interference methods, including via social media, fake digital profiles, and meddling in political and electoral debates, aiming to influence public opinion and polarise Finnish society. In response, the authorities have strengthened cooperation with NATO and the EU, invested in advanced detection systems, and adopted a national hybrid resilience strategy involving public institutions, the private sector, and the population.

In summary, Finland in 2025 combines remarkable internal stability with strategic resilience in the face of both conventional and hybrid threats. The country remains generally safe for visitors and partners, provided that safety guidance and digital vigilance are observed.