Is Finland safe? What makes Finland a safe country to live in

If you are considering moving to Finland to study, one of the first questions you may have is simple: is Finland safe? The short answer is yes. Finland is generally a very safe country to live in, and public trust in the police and other security authorities is high. But statistics are only part of the picture. Feeling safe also depends on everyday life: your home, your neighbourhood and knowing where to get help when you need it. 

Moving to Finland means getting used to many new things, from a new city and university to everyday routines. It can be reassuring to know where to get help if something goes wrong. In Finland, public trust in the police and other security authorities is high.  

This does not mean that nothing ever happens. Helsinki, like any city, has noisy nights, occasional disturbances and areas that can feel busier or less peaceful than others. At the same time, Finland performs very strongly in international comparisons of peace and safety. The latest Global Peace Index places Finland among the world’s most peaceful countries. 

For someone moving to Finland, this helps put everyday concerns into perspective: a neighbourhood that feels relatively busy or unsettled by Finnish standards does not automatically mean that it is unsafe. 

A secure home is not only about locks and doors. Feeling safe can also come from knowing your neighbours and having a sense of community around you. 

Hoas’s tenant feedback suggests that community can make a real difference to how people experience shared housing. Many tenants find that shared living offers not only affordable housing but also opportunities to build friendships, share everyday life and feel part of a community. In fact, Hoas’s shared apartment tenants have reported higher housing satisfaction than studio residents.

When problems arise, it helps to know where to get support and how to deal with the situation. In shared housing, small differences in routines and expectations can sometimes lead to friction. Good communication between roommates and neighbours can help prevent small issues from becoming bigger ones. 

Hoas encourages tenants to contact tenant support at an early stage when challenges arise. The service can help with conflicts between roommates, difficulties with noisy neighbours and other housing-related challenges. Its aim is to facilitate communication and open dialogue between tenants. 

Hoas also has its Safely together principles, which focus on respect, boundaries, and treating everyone equally. The aim is to create a safe community where everyone can feel at ease.  

Door codes are not used in any Hoas property. Tenants can open the building’s front door with their apartment key, while visitors must be personally let into the stairwell by the tenant they are visiting.  

Every Hoas property also has its own rescue plan. Each plan is tailored to the building and its specific safety arrangements. It explains how residents should act in different dangerous or threatening situations, and the property’s rescue plan can be found in MyHoas. 

Fire safety is another important part of keeping a home safe. Hoas installs and maintains smoke alarms in its apartments, while tenants are responsible for testing that their alarm works.  

Escape routes should also be kept clear. If there are unnecessary items in stairways or common areas, residents should report them so they can be removed. 

Finland has a long tradition of preparing for emergencies and exceptional situations. One part of this preparedness is the civil defence shelter, known in Finnish as a väestönsuoja.

A civil defence shelter is a protected space intended for use in certain emergency or crisis situations. You do not need to use a civil defence shelter in everyday life. Shelters are prepared for use only when instructed by the authorities. If a situation requires people to use a civil defence shelter or take other protective measures, the relevant authorities will provide guidance and instructions.

Information about the civil defence shelter for your building can be found in the rescue plan, including its location and type. During normal times, civil defence shelters may be used for other purposes, such as storage. However, they must be ready for use within 72 hours if required by the authorities.

Not all properties have their own civil defence shelter. If your property does not have one, residents are assigned to a public civil defence shelter.

The most important thing during an emergency is to follow official information and instructions. Your building’s rescue plan can also help you understand the safety arrangements and emergency procedures that apply to your property. 

It is useful to know the main emergency and support contacts before you need them. 

112 is Finland’s emergency number. Call 112 when someone’s life, health or property is in immediate danger and you need urgent help from the authorities. 

If there is a fire in your apartment, leave quickly if it is safe to do so, close doors and windows, use the stairs and call 112 from a safe place. 

For property-specific emergency instructions, check your property’s rescue plan in MyHoas. 

For everyday maintenance issues, MyHoas is the place to submit a fault report. MyHoas also allows tenants to see property information, contact Hoas and take care of other housing-related matters. 

For urgent matters such as a pipe leak or broken window, contact Hoas maintenance services. If the customer service centre is closed, call the Securitas 24-hour service number. 

Save the most important contacts in your phone when you move into your new home. 

112 
For emergencies where someone’s life, health or property is in danger. 

Hoas Customer Service 
+358 9 5499 00, Monday–Friday 10:00–15:00 

Urgent maintenance outside customer service hours 
Securitas: 020 491 2720 

Door opening service in most Hoas properties 
Securitas: 020 491 2962