Is cash still widely used?
Barely. Finland has one of the highest rates of cashless payments in Europe. Cards are accepted at virtually every business, including small kiosks, market stalls, and rural shops. Most Finns rarely carry cash.
ATMs and withdrawing cash
ATMs (pankkiautomaatti) are available but becoming less common. Nordea and OP Bank machines are the main networks.
- Fees are around 3 EUR per withdrawal for foreign non-EU cards
- Good availability in cities; more limited in Lapland and rural areas
- Most shopping centres have at least one ATM
Card acceptance
Excellent. Visa and Mastercard are accepted virtually everywhere. Contactless is standard. Finland has near-universal card acceptance even in small towns.
Tips for travelers
- Cards are sufficient for virtually all situations in Finland
- Carry a small amount of cash for very remote cabin rentals or rural markets
- Finnish Lapland reindeer farms and remote experiences may prefer cash
- Finland is relatively expensive — especially for alcohol and dining