Knives and pepper spray in Finland (2026)
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026
In short: Holding blade weapons and similar objects in a public place is prohibited unless a work task or other acceptable reason makes it necessary. Gas sprayers need a police permit under the Firearms Act.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Folding pocket knivesCarrying in public places | Holding blade weapons and similar objects suited to cutting or stabbing in a public place is prohibited under the Public Order Act (Järjestyslaki), unless holding is needed for a work task or another acceptable reason. The Act does not distinguish folding, locking or fixed blades. [1] |
| Locking or one-handed knivesCarrying in public places | Holding blade weapons and similar objects suited to cutting or stabbing in a public place is prohibited under the Public Order Act (Järjestyslaki), unless holding is needed for a work task or another acceptable reason. The Act does not distinguish folding, locking or fixed blades. [1] |
| Fixed-blade knivesCarrying in public places | Holding blade weapons and similar objects suited to cutting or stabbing in a public place is prohibited under the Public Order Act (Järjestyslaki), unless holding is needed for a work task or another acceptable reason. The Act does not distinguish folding, locking or fixed blades. [1] |
| Pepper sprayCarrying in public places | Gas sprayers (kaasusumutin: a device releasing tear gas or a comparable incapacitating substance) are covered by the Firearms Act. Acquiring and holding one needs a gas sprayer permit (kaasusumutinlupa) from the police, issued for up to five years for acceptable purposes. [2] |
| Exceptions and legitimate reasonsCarrying in public places | The public-place ban does not apply to objects or substances whose holding is necessary for a work task or another acceptable reason. [1] |
| Automatic (switchblade) knivesCarrying in public places | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Blade length limitsCarrying in public places | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Pepper spray: size and age limitsCarrying in public places | A gas sprayer imported to or sold in Finland must have contents that do not cause permanent injuries to the target; more detailed rules on substances and maximum concentrations may be set by government decree. [2] |
Notes
- The ban is on blade weapons and other objects suited to cutting or stabbing in public places; it applies unless there is a work task or other acceptable reason. The Act names no blade-length limit and no folding or locking distinction.
- The Act covers tear gas and comparable incapacitating substances; whether a given pepper product falls under it was not tested here. The Public Order Act refers possession of gas sprayers to the Firearms Act.
- What counts as an acceptable reason is decided case by case; the Act does not list examples in the text read.
- The Public Order Act bans holding stilettos, knuckle-dusters, throwing stars and blades disguised as other objects (and their sale) in public places, but the text read gives no rule specific to automatic knives or a blade-length limit, so nothing is stated.
- The decree with concentration limits was not read.
Sources
- Finlex (Ministry of Justice): Järjestyslaki 612/2003 (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
- Finlex (Ministry of Justice): Ampuma-aselaki 1/1998 (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.