Everyone’s rights and obligations also apply at sea
In Finland, everyone’s rights permit everyone to freely roam the countryside, regardless of who owns the area. Nature can also be respectfully used for recreational purposes such as camping.
Berries, mushrooms and fast-growing plant parts can be picked for consumption -dandelions grow back in no time, while the orpine populations of rocky shores are easily damaged by harvesting. Fish can be caught with a line and a rod and, in wintertime, through a hole in the ice.
Everyone’s obligation, then, is to leave no trace of your visit in the nature. When traversing the wilds, we must not unreasonably strain the environment, destroy vegetation, leave garbage behind or disturb the animals or other people.
Additionally everyone’s rights do not apply to private properties, planted green spaces or cultivated fields. Everyone’s rights are often also restricted in protected areas, the Åland Islands and other special areas.
Everyone’s rights and the Water Act permit various activities at sea and inland waters
You can:
- Travel in nature without damaging it, by walking, skiing, riding a bike etc.
- Go boating, sailing and canoeing in all watercourses in accordance with the law
- Anchor your boat and temporarily visit the shore
- Go fishing and ice-fishing
- Go swimming and snorkelling
- Go scuba diving in areas where it is not specifically restricted
- Pick berries, mushrooms and other non-protected plants
- Set up a temporary camp
You cannot:
- Trespass in people’s yards, planted green areas or on cultivated fields. Respect domestic privacy!
- Fell or damage trees or pick dead or dried wood
- Start an open fire without the landowner’s permission
- Collect moss or lichen
- Ride a motorised vehicle over the terrain
- Disturb animals or their nests
You have the obligation to:
- Keep the environment clean. Don’t litter!
- Acquire the necessary permits for hunting and fishing
- Respect the rules and restrictions of protected areas
- Pay attention to other people in nature. There’s room for everyone around a campfire!
Everyone’s rights are more restricted in the Åland Islands than in Sweden and Mainland Finland
Regulations are particularly strict in the fragile nature conservation areas of the Archipelago Sea, as several bird species depend on the various islets and islands of the area for nesting. During specific times, it is not permitted to go ashore in these areas.
In Åland
- Accessing private properties and bridges is prohibited; visitors are encouraged to use roads and marked paths
- Overnight stay outside camping sites, cabin villages and harbours requires the landowner’s permission
- Starting an open fire is prohibited without the landowner’s permission. Wildfires may permanently damage the dry and fragile rocky areas
- Moving pebbles at the shingle beaches is prohibited
- Fishing is permitted after acquiring a fishing permit in compliance with the specific rules of the area
- Scuba-diving is subject to a permit from the government of Åland
The website of the government of Åland offers the most up-to-date information about everyman’s rights and the numerous nature conservation sites of the Åland Islands, as well as the rules of every nature conservation site and a list of prohibited areas. Läs mer!(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)