Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Finland Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Finland Property Pack
Finland offers a unique Airbnb market with two distinct tourism engines: summer city travel and winter Lapland adventures.
This blog post covers everything you need to know about running an Airbnb in Finland, from legal requirements to realistic profit expectations.
We update this article regularly to reflect the latest data and regulations affecting short-term rentals in Finland.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Finland.
Insights
- Airbnb listings in Rovaniemi, Finland can generate up to 15,000 euros during a single peak winter month, which is roughly four times what the same property might earn in summer.
- Helsinki has around 4,900 active short-term rental listings in 2026, making it the most competitive urban Airbnb market in Finland by a significant margin.
- Finnish Airbnb hosts typically spend 30% to 45% of their gross revenue on operating expenses, with cleaning and winter heating being the largest cost drivers.
- The occupancy gap between top-performing and average Airbnb hosts in Finland is about 10 to 20 percentage points, meaning operational excellence matters more than location alone.
- Apartments in dense Helsinki neighborhoods like Kallio and Punavuori face the highest regulatory scrutiny because frequent guest turnover resembles hotel-like operations.
- Finland has no nationwide 90-night cap on short-term rentals as of early 2026, but Helsinki building control can intervene if your rental looks like a micro-hotel.
- The most crowded Airbnb price segment in urban Finland is 70 to 130 euros per night, where small apartments compete heavily on price.
- A well-positioned cottage in Finnish Lapland can achieve profit margins of 50% or more during the winter season, thanks to premium nightly rates and strong demand.
- Flow Festival and Slush are the two biggest demand spikes for Helsinki Airbnb hosts, with nightly rates jumping 40% to 80% during these events.
- Sauna access is a genuine competitive advantage for Finnish Airbnb listings, especially in cottages and detached homes where guests expect the authentic experience.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Finland in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Finland in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting is generally allowed in Finland, though how authorities classify your activity determines whether you need additional permits.
Finland regulates short-term rentals primarily through existing building control and construction permit laws rather than a single nationwide Airbnb-specific regulation.
The most important restriction is that if your rental operates like a hotel with high guest turnover and continuous traffic, Finnish building control may require you to apply for a change-of-use permit.
Additional restrictions can come from your housing company's rules if you own an apartment, since condo boards in Finland can limit or ban short-term rentals in their buildings.
Operating an illegal short-term rental in Finland can result in orders to cease operations, and in apartment buildings, persistent violations may lead to legal action from your housing company.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in Finland.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in Finland.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Finland as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Finland does not have a universal nationwide cap like the 90-night limit found in some other European countries, though municipal enforcement varies.
These rules do not differ by property type or residency status at the national level, but apartments in housing companies face more practical restrictions from condo boards than detached homes or cottages.
Hosts typically track their rental nights through platform records and personal logs, which become important if building control questions whether your activity crosses into professional accommodation.
If authorities determine you are operating a de facto hotel, they can require you to apply for permits or cease operations, making accurate record-keeping essential for proving occasional use.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Finland right now?
Finland does not have a residency requirement that forces you to live in a property before listing it on Airbnb.
Owners of secondary homes and investment properties can legally operate short-term rentals in Finland, though risk levels vary significantly by property type.
No special permits are required for secondary home rentals in Finland at the national level, but if your operation resembles a hotel, building control may intervene regardless of whether it is your primary residence.
The main practical difference is that apartments in housing companies face more scrutiny and potential complaints from neighbors, while detached homes and cottages generally operate with fewer issues.
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Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Finland right now?
Finland does not have a specific law limiting one host to one listing, so you can operate multiple Airbnb properties under your name.
There is no maximum number of properties one person can list for short-term rental in Finland, though practical limits emerge from permit requirements and housing company rules.
No additional licensing is required simply for having multiple listings, but operating several units increases the likelihood that authorities view your activity as a professional accommodation business.
The main regulatory concern is that running multiple apartments in housing companies draws more attention from building control and may trigger tax and business registration requirements.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Finland as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Finland does not require a specific Airbnb license for occasional hosting, though you must report all rental income to the tax authorities.
For most casual hosts, the process is straightforward: you report your income annually and deduct eligible expenses like cleaning and utilities.
If your operation becomes large enough to qualify as a business, you may need to register as a trader and potentially handle VAT, which requires consulting with a Finnish accountant.
There are no licensing fees for occasional hosts in Finland, but professional operators should budget for accounting services and potential business registration costs.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Finland as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Finland does not publish official tourist zones that ban Airbnb, though certain neighborhoods face much higher regulatory scrutiny than others.
In Helsinki, dense central areas like Kamppi, Punavuori, Kallio, Ullanlinna, Kruununhaka, Katajanokka, Jätkäsaari, and Pasila generate the most complaints and building control attention due to high STR concentration.
In Rovaniemi, the city centre and Ounasvaara area face pressure during peak winter season when guest turnover is extremely high.
The main reason these zones attract scrutiny is that frequent guest traffic in apartment buildings creates noise and security concerns that neighbors report to authorities.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Finland compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
How much can an Airbnb earn in Finland in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Finland in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price for an Airbnb in Finland ranges from about 100 to 150 euros (roughly 105 to 160 USD), with significant variation between urban apartments and Lapland cottages.
The typical nightly price range covering 80% of Finnish listings falls between 70 and 250 euros (about 75 to 265 USD), though Lapland winter properties can exceed 400 euros per night.
The single biggest factor affecting nightly pricing in Finland is location type: urban apartments in Helsinki average around 100 euros, while well-positioned Lapland cottages during winter can command 200 to 300 euros or more.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Finland.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Finland in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the gap between Finland's most expensive and most affordable Airbnb neighborhoods can reach 80 to 150 euros per night (about 85 to 160 USD), with premium Helsinki districts like Ullanlinna averaging around 130 euros while suburban areas sit closer to 70 euros.
The three Helsinki neighborhoods with the highest average nightly prices are Ullanlinna, Punavuori, and Kruununhaka, where design heritage and walkability command premiums of 120 to 160 euros (around 130 to 170 USD) per night.
The three neighborhoods with the lowest average nightly prices in Helsinki are outer areas like Kontula, Myllypuro, and Vuosaari at around 60 to 80 euros (65 to 85 USD), though these still attract budget-conscious travelers and those with longer stays.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Finland in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Finland is around 50% to 60%, with urban properties clustering at the lower end and well-managed Lapland properties reaching higher during peak seasons.
The realistic occupancy range covering most Finnish listings is 45% to 70%, with the top performers achieving 75% or more during high-demand periods.
Finnish Airbnb occupancy rates are roughly comparable to the broader Nordic average, though Lapland destinations outperform due to concentrated winter tourism.
The single biggest factor for achieving above-average occupancy in Finland is operational excellence: professional photos, dynamic pricing, instant booking, and fast response times matter more than location alone.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Finland in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in Finland is approximately 2,500 to 4,000 euros (about 2,650 to 4,250 USD), though this varies dramatically between urban apartments and Lapland properties.
The realistic monthly revenue range covering 80% of Finnish listings falls between 1,600 and 6,000 euros (roughly 1,700 to 6,400 USD), with urban studios at the lower end and multi-bedroom cottages at the top.
Top-performing Airbnb listings in Finland can earn 7,000 to 15,000 euros (about 7,500 to 16,000 USD) per month during peak season, especially Lapland cottages in winter where a property earning 200 euros per night at 80% occupancy generates around 4,800 euros in just that month.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Finland.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Finland in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, a typical urban Airbnb in Helsinki earns around 1,500 to 2,500 euros (1,600 to 2,650 USD) in low season months versus 3,000 to 4,500 euros (3,200 to 4,800 USD) during high season or major events, while Lapland cottages can swing from 2,000 euros in summer to over 10,000 euros (10,600 USD) in peak winter.
For urban Finland, low season runs from November through April (excluding Christmas) while high season covers June through August plus major event weeks; for Lapland, the pattern reverses with December through March being peak season and May through September being quieter.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Finland in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the realistic monthly expense range for operating an Airbnb in Finland is approximately 650 to 2,500 euros (about 690 to 2,650 USD) for most property types, with cottages in remote winter locations at the higher end.
The single largest expense category for Finnish Airbnb hosts is typically cleaning and turnover costs at around 200 to 600 euros (210 to 640 USD) per month, followed closely by winter heating which can reach 150 to 400 euros monthly in colder regions.
Hosts in Finland should typically expect to spend 30% to 45% of gross revenue on operating expenses, though this percentage drops for high-revenue properties and rises for those with lower occupancy.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Finland.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Finland in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly net profit for an Airbnb in Finland ranges from about 600 to 3,500 euros (640 to 3,700 USD) for urban properties and 1,500 to 6,000 euros (1,600 to 6,400 USD) for well-positioned Lapland homes, which translates to roughly 20 to 120 euros (21 to 127 USD) profit per available night.
The realistic monthly net profit range covering most Finnish listings falls between 500 and 4,000 euros (530 to 4,250 USD) before income tax and mortgage payments.
Finnish Airbnb hosts typically achieve net profit margins of 40% to 60% of gross revenue, with cottages and houses outperforming apartments due to higher nightly rates.
The break-even occupancy rate for a typical Airbnb listing in Finland is around 35% to 45%, meaning hosts need roughly 11 to 14 booked nights per month just to cover operating costs.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Finland, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Finland versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How competitive is Airbnb in Finland as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Finland as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Finland has an estimated 20,000 to 35,000 active short-term rental listings nationwide, with Helsinki alone accounting for roughly 4,900 listings, Rovaniemi around 2,500, Tampere about 1,400, and Turku approximately 1,200.
The number of Finnish Airbnb listings has grown steadily over the past several years, with Lapland destinations seeing particularly strong supply growth as international winter tourism has increased.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Finland as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods for Airbnb in Finland are Helsinki's central districts including Kamppi, Punavuori, Kallio, Ullanlinna, Kruununhaka, Katajanokka, Jätkäsaari, and Pasila, along with Rovaniemi's city centre and Ounasvaara.
These areas became saturated because they combine walkability, photogenic architecture, and proximity to attractions or transit, which drives both tourist demand and host interest in a self-reinforcing cycle.
Relatively undersaturated neighborhoods offering better opportunities for new Finnish Airbnb hosts include Helsinki's emerging areas like Kalasatama and Hernesaari, Tampere's Pyynikki and Tammela fringes, and Turku's Port Arthur (Portsa) district where competition is lower but demand remains solid.
What local events spike demand in Finland in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main local events that spike Airbnb demand in Finland are Flow Festival in Helsinki (August 14-16, 2026), Slush conference in Helsinki (November), and the entire Christmas and winter season in Lapland from December through March.
During these peak events, Finnish Airbnb hosts typically see bookings increase by 40% to 80% and nightly rates jump by 30% to 60% compared to normal periods.
Hosts should adjust pricing and availability at least 2 to 3 months before major events in Finland, setting minimum-stay requirements and premium rates early to capture demand before guests book elsewhere.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Finland in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Finland achieve occupancy rates of 65% to 80%, compared to average hosts who typically see 45% to 55%.
This 10 to 20 percentage point gap translates to significantly higher revenue, as top hosts combine better photos, dynamic pricing, instant booking, fast response times, and excellent reviews to capture more bookings.
New hosts in Finland typically need 6 to 12 months of consistent operation and positive reviews before reaching top-performer occupancy levels, with the learning curve being steeper in competitive markets like Helsinki.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Finland.
What amenities do nearly all competitors offer in Finland right now?
Nearly all competitive Finnish Airbnb listings offer fast Wi-Fi, self check-in with a key box or smart lock, excellent heating and insulation, a full kitchen, and washer access, with sauna being a major differentiator especially in cottages and houses.
Finnish guests and international visitors alike expect these basics because remote work is common, winter comfort is essential, and the culture values self-sufficiency and practical amenities.
Listings that lack these table-stakes amenities in Finland see notably lower occupancy, while those adding sauna access, winter gear storage, or Northern Lights viewing spots gain meaningful competitive advantages.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Finland right now?
The nightly price range with the highest concentration of Airbnb listings in Finland is 70 to 130 euros (about 75 to 140 USD), where small urban apartments compete intensely on price.
White space opportunities for new Finnish Airbnb hosts exist in the 150 to 250 euro range (160 to 265 USD) where family-ready 2 to 3 bedroom homes with genuine winter readiness are undersupplied, and in the 250 to 400 euro premium segment for design-forward properties or well-operated Lapland cottages.
To succeed in these underserved segments, new hosts should focus on multi-bedroom properties with excellent winter infrastructure like drying cabinets and proper entryways, or unique design elements that photograph well and justify premium pricing.
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What property works best for Airbnb demand in Finland right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Finland as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, 1-bedroom and compact 2-bedroom properties get the most bookings in Finland because they fit the dominant traveler profile of couples, solo visitors, and small groups.
The estimated booking rate breakdown in Finland shows studios and 1-bedrooms capturing about 45% of bookings, 2-bedrooms around 35%, and 3-bedroom or larger properties taking the remaining 20%, though larger properties often earn more per booking.
This bedroom count performs best in Finland because domestic and international tourism patterns favor shorter trips by couples or small groups, especially in urban areas where business travelers and weekend visitors dominate.
What property type performs best in Finland in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, apartments perform best for consistent bookings in urban Finland while cottages and detached homes outperform on revenue in Lapland and lake regions.
Occupancy rates across Finnish property types show apartments averaging 50% to 60%, row houses and semi-detached homes around 55% to 65%, and cottages ranging from 45% to 75% depending on location and season.
Apartments dominate urban bookings because they offer the right size for typical travelers at accessible prices, while cottages outperform in destination areas because guests pay premium prices for the authentic Finnish experience including sauna and nature access.
What location traits boost bookings in Finland right now?
In Finnish cities, the location traits that boost Airbnb bookings most are walking distance to public transit (tram, metro, or train stations), proximity to event venues like Suvilahti or Messukeskus, and interiors with bright, clean Finnish design that photographs well in the dark months.
In Lapland and cottage regions, the key location traits are reliable winter access with good roads and parking, proximity to outdoor activity hubs like Ounasvaara, and having a sauna plus enough space for the full Finnish nature experience.
Properties that nail these location traits in Finland see materially higher occupancy and can command 15% to 30% price premiums over similar listings without them.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Finland, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can ... and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics Finland - Accommodation Statistics | Finland's official statistics agency providing baseline tourism demand and seasonality data. | We used this to anchor Finland's real visitor demand for overnight stays, capacity, and pricing trends. We treated it as the ground truth demand layer that short-term rentals ultimately ride on. |
| Statistics Finland - Housing Prices | Official transaction-based housing price data built from tax and transaction records. | We used this as the reference for residential property pricing direction. We relied on it to judge profitability versus purchase cost without depending on informal sources. |
| Ministry of the Environment - Construction Act | Primary government source for Finland's permit and building control framework. | We used this to explain the permit and change-of-use principles that matter more than Airbnb-specific laws. We framed why hotel-like activity in flats can trigger scrutiny. |
| City of Helsinki - Accommodation Guidance | A city authority document showing how Finland's largest STR market enforces regulations in practice. | We used this to define when repeated short stays look like accommodation provision. We explained the real compliance risk for apartments and condos in Helsinki. |
| Finlex - Government Proposals | Finland's official legal information portal showing what is actually in force versus proposed. | We used this to verify whether any nationwide STR caps or registers were actually law by January 2026. We avoided repeating news that had not become binding legislation. |
| Ministry of Finance - Capital Income Taxation | Government source for the capital income tax rates that apply to rental profits in Finland. | We used this to anchor the after-expense tax layer in our net profit estimates. We kept tax assumptions consistent across all Finnish regions. |
| Finnish Tax Administration - Rental Income | The tax authority explaining what must be reported and how platforms are monitored. | We used this to set realistic compliance expectations for income reporting. We explained common deductible cost categories and what hosts should track. |
| Airbnb Finland Tax Guide | A platform-issued guide consolidating Finland-specific tax mechanics grounded in local law. | We used this to translate Finnish tax mechanics into plain English host actions. We only relied on it where it aligned with official Tax Administration guidance. |
| Bank of Finland - Interest Rates | Central bank source for current interest rates crucial for mortgage-driven profitability analysis. | We used this to ground financing assumptions since rates changed significantly in recent years. We kept cash-on-cash return expectations realistic for 2026. |
| Eurostat - Tourism Occupancy | The EU's official statistics body providing benchmarks for comparing Finland to broader Europe. | We used this to compare Finland's occupancy context to typical EU ranges. We treated it as a reasonableness check on private STR occupancy claims. |
| AirDNA - Helsinki Market | Established STR data provider with transparent market definitions for ADR, occupancy, and revenue. | We used this for Airbnb-specific metrics that official agencies do not publish. We treated it as a market estimate and triangulated with other sources. |
| AirDNA - Rovaniemi Market | Same methodology as Helsinki, capturing Lapland's distinct high-demand STR market. | We used this to show the extreme seasonality and premium pricing unique to Lapland. We explained why cottages can outperform apartments there. |
| AirDNA - Tampere Market | Same provider offering a major Finnish city comparison outside Helsinki. | We used this to bracket non-capital city economics in Finland. We avoided making Helsinki-centric assumptions for the whole country. |
| AirDNA - Turku Market | Same provider capturing summer-peaked demand and archipelago spillover patterns. | We used this to estimate coastal and summer seasonality impacts on revenue. We treated it as another data point to triangulate national ranges. |
| Flow Festival | Primary event organizer source for dates and location with no guesswork required. | We used this to show how a single well-dated event moves occupancy and ADR in Helsinki. We illustrated calendar-driven pricing opportunities. |
| Slush Conference | Primary organizer source for one of Helsinki's biggest lodging demand drivers. | We used this to explain predictable weekday demand spikes and premium pricing windows. We illustrated advantages of central and transit-connected neighborhoods. |
| Visit Finland - Tourism Pulse | National tourism body compiling and interpreting demand signals with named sources. | We used this to validate direction of travel beyond one month of data. We supported seasonality narratives about summer versus winter and domestic versus foreign visitors. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Finland. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.