Fireworks in Finland (2026)
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026
In short: Fireworks may be handed to consumers aged 18 or over, and F2 and F3 fireworks only from approved sales points and not from shops between 1 and 26 December. They may be used without notice from 18:00 on 31 December to 02:00 on 1 January unless the local rescue authority decides otherwise.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Consumers may buy and use category F2 fireworksConsumer fireworks (category F2) | Yes [1] |
| Minimum age to buyConsumer fireworks (category F2) | 18 years [1] |
| Minimum age to possess or let offConsumer fireworks (category F2) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| When they may be sold to the publicConsumer fireworks (category F2) | Handing F2 and F3 fireworks over from a shop is banned from 1 December to 26 December unless the buyer has a decision from the rescue authority allowing their use. [1] |
| When they may be let offConsumer fireworks (category F2) | Category F2 and F3 fireworks may be used between 18:00 on 31 December and 02:00 on 1 January without notifying the rescue authority, unless the rescue authority has decided otherwise locally. Otherwise the rescue authority must be notified in advance of use. [1] |
| Where they may not be let offConsumer fireworks (category F2) | The rescue authority may forbid the use of fireworks in places where use is considered to cause special danger, and may issue general local orders for its area. [2] |
| Fireworks consumers may useConsumer fireworks (category F2) | Consumers may be sold F1, F2 and F3 fireworks (F2 and F3 only from approved sales points, and not from shops 1-26 December without a rescue authority decision). F4 fireworks may be handed over only to operators with an approval from the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency. Certain F2/F3 fireworks defined in harmonised standards may not be handed to consumers. [1] |
| Local restrictionsConsumer fireworks (category F2) | The rescue authority may issue general orders for local conditions, allowing use at certain times or places without notification or forbidding use in places of special danger. [2] |
| Hours when they may be let offConsumer fireworks (category F2) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
Notes
- Category F2 and F3 fireworks may be handed over to consumers, but only from a sales point approved by the rescue authority and directly to the consumer.
- The Chemicals Act bans handing explosives intended for private consumption to persons under 18, and the Explosives Decree says F1, F2 and F3 fireworks may be handed over only to persons over 18 (yli 18-vuotiaille). The statutes are not identical in wording; the Act is the stricter reading of the age limit.
- Sale of F2 and F3 fireworks is possible only outside this window.
- Outside New Year the use of fireworks must be notified to the rescue authority in advance (Chemicals Act, rules on use of fireworks), and the authority may set conditions or forbid use.
- There is no fixed national list of banned areas; the rescue authority decides.
- Details of the banned F2/F3 types are in the decree and not summarised here.
- Check the local rescue authority.
Sources
- Finlex (Ministry of Justice): Valtioneuvoston asetus räjähteiden valmistuksen ja varastoinnin valvonnasta 819/2015 (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
- Finlex (Ministry of Justice): Laki vaarallisten kemikaalien ja räjähteiden käsittelyn turvallisuudesta 390/2005 (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.