Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Finland Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Helsinki's property market is included in our pack
If you're considering investing in an Airbnb rental in Helsinki, you're probably wondering whether the numbers actually work in 2026.
This article breaks down everything from Helsinki's short-term rental regulations to realistic revenue figures, neighborhood saturation levels, and profit margins based on current data.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest changes in Helsinki's Airbnb market, rental laws, and tourism trends.
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 Helsinki.
Insights
- Helsinki recorded 4.55 million overnight stays in 2024, breaking all previous records and signaling strong, growing demand for short-term accommodation in the Finnish capital.
- New Finnish regulations effective January 2026 cap investment property Airbnb rentals at 90 days per year, but owner-occupied homes remain unrestricted for short-term letting.
- A typical Helsinki Airbnb listing generates around €1,800 per month in gross revenue, but summer months (June to August) can push that to €2,400 to €3,600 for well-positioned properties.
- One-bedroom apartments dominate Helsinki's short-term rental market at 77% of listings, making two-bedroom units a less crowded opportunity with higher revenue potential per booking.
- Helsinki's Airbnb occupancy rate averages 59% to 72% depending on the data source, with top-performing hosts achieving 10 to 15 percentage points higher through dynamic pricing and professional operations.
- Short-term rental bed capacity in Helsinki grew 17% in 2024 compared to 2023, reaching over 12,600 beds, showing rapid supply expansion that new hosts must compete against.
- Slush, Helsinki's major startup conference in November, creates significant demand compression, with 13,000+ attendees filling central listings and pushing nightly rates up 30% to 50% in surrounding neighborhoods.
- After operating expenses of €550 to €1,050 per month and income tax at 30%, a typical Helsinki one-bedroom Airbnb nets roughly €400 to €1,000 monthly, meaning realistic annual profit is €5,000 to €12,000.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Helsinki in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Helsinki in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting is allowed in Helsinki, but new national regulations now distinguish clearly between occasional home sharing and professional accommodation activity.
The main legal framework governing short-term rentals in Helsinki comes from the Finnish Building Act and the City of Helsinki's Building Control guidelines, which define when residential use crosses into accommodation use requiring permits.
The single most important restriction is the new 90-day annual cap on short-term rentals (stays under four weeks) for investment properties where the owner does not live, though municipalities can grant extensions up to 180 days.
Additional restrictions include housing company rules that may prohibit or limit short-term letting, building permits that specify residential-only use, and the requirement to register as an accommodation business if your operation looks professional with hotel-like services.
Operating an illegal short-term rental in Helsinki can result in orders to cease activity, fines, and potential building permit enforcement actions from the City's Building Control Services.
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 Helsinki as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Helsinki does not impose a city-wide minimum-stay requirement, but the new national regulation caps investment properties at 90 days per year for short-term rentals (defined as stays under four weeks), with municipalities able to extend this to 180 days.
These rules differ significantly based on residency status: if you live in the property and it's your registered home, you can rent it out short-term without the 90-day cap, while investment properties where no one is registered face the strict annual limit.
Hosts are expected to keep records of how often they lease their property on a short-term basis, as required under the new Building Act provisions, and this data may be requested by building control authorities.
If a host exceeds the maximum nights-per-year cap on an investment property in Helsinki, the activity may be reclassified as illegal accommodation use, potentially triggering permit requirements and enforcement action from the City.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Helsinki right now?
There is no strict residency requirement to operate an Airbnb in Helsinki, but where you live relative to the property dramatically affects what rules apply to you.
Yes, owners of secondary homes and investment properties can legally operate short-term rentals in Helsinki, but they are now subject to the 90-day annual cap under the January 2026 regulations.
Non-primary residence short-term rentals may require additional steps if the activity looks professional, including potentially a building permit review, Health Protection Act notification, and passenger card (guest registration) obligations.
The main difference is that renting out your registered primary home occasionally while you're away is explicitly considered residential use and remains unrestricted, while a secondary property used for repeated short-term stays is classified as accommodation activity subject to the annual cap.
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Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Helsinki right now?
You can legally list multiple properties for short-term rental in Helsinki, but each investment property is individually subject to the 90-day annual cap, and scaling up increases your regulatory exposure.
There is no explicit maximum number of properties one person can list, but operating multiple units triggers more of Helsinki's "professional accommodation" characteristics, making permit requirements and business registration more likely to apply.
Multi-property hosts in Helsinki may need to comply with passenger card (guest registration) obligations, Health Protection Act notifications, and potentially VAT registration if turnover exceeds thresholds, though no additional special "multi-listing license" exists.
The regulatory logic behind scrutinizing multi-property operations is that they compete directly with hotels without the same compliance burden, and Helsinki's enforcement has historically focused on inner-city buildings where "apartment-hotel style" activity has appeared.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Helsinki as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, casual hosts renting their own primary home occasionally do not need a specific short-term rental license, but professional accommodation activity in an investment property may require building permit compliance, a Health Protection Act notification, and potentially business registration.
If your operation crosses into "accommodation premises" territory, the process involves submitting a notification to Helsinki's Environmental Services under the Health Protection Act, which typically takes two to four weeks to process.
Documents typically required include proof of the property's building permit status, floor plans, fire safety self-assessment, and for larger operations, evidence of compliance with accessibility and hygiene standards.
The Health Protection Act notification itself has a modest fee, but if building permit changes are needed, costs can rise significantly depending on the scope of work required.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Helsinki as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Helsinki does not have outright neighborhood bans or designated "no Airbnb" zones, but restrictions operate at the building level through housing company rules and building permit classifications.
The strictest practical restrictions tend to occur in inner-city residential buildings in areas like Kamppi, Punavuori, Ullanlinna, and Kruununhaka, where housing companies have actively intervened against apartment-hotel style operations.
The main reason these central areas face more scrutiny is that they have the highest concentration of short-term rental activity, leading to more neighbor complaints, housing company board attention, and city enforcement interest.
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How much can an Airbnb earn in Helsinki in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Helsinki in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price for an Airbnb listing in Helsinki is approximately €95 to €100 (around $105 USD), while the median nightly price sits closer to €90 (around $98 USD or €90 EUR).
The typical nightly price range covering roughly 80% of Helsinki Airbnb listings falls between €75 and €150 per night, with budget-friendly studios at the lower end and well-located two-bedroom apartments at the upper end.
The single biggest factor impacting nightly pricing in Helsinki is location: central neighborhoods like Kamppi, Punavuori, and Ullanlinna command 20% to 50% premiums over listings in outer areas like Vuosaari.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Helsinki.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Helsinki in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, nightly prices for Helsinki Airbnb listings range from around €75 (about $82 USD) in outer neighborhoods like Vuosaari to €170 (about $185 USD) or more in premium central areas like Ullanlinna and Katajanokka.
The three neighborhoods in Helsinki with the highest average nightly prices are Ullanlinna/Eira at €140 to €170 per night (about $150 to $185 USD), Katajanokka at €130 to €160 per night (about $140 to $175 USD), and Kruununhaka at €120 to €150 per night (about $130 to $165 USD).
The three neighborhoods with the lowest average nightly prices are Vuosaari at €75 to €100 per night (about $80 to $110 USD), Kontula at €70 to €95 per night (about $75 to $105 USD), and Mellunmaki at €65 to €90 per night (about $70 to $100 USD), though these areas still attract budget travelers and visitors with specific destinations in eastern Helsinki.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Helsinki in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Helsinki is approximately 59% to 72%, depending on the data source and calculation methodology used.
The realistic occupancy rate range covering most Helsinki listings falls between 50% and 75%, with professionally managed properties at the higher end and part-time hosts at the lower end.
Helsinki's Airbnb occupancy rates are roughly in line with other Nordic capitals, though they show stronger seasonality than cities like Stockholm due to Helsinki's pronounced summer tourism peak.
The single factor with the biggest impact on achieving above-average occupancy in Helsinki is location within walking distance of the central train station and tram lines, combined with competitive pricing relative to nearby listings.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Helsinki in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in Helsinki is approximately €1,800 (around $1,950 USD), though this varies significantly by property type and management quality.
The realistic monthly revenue range covering roughly 80% of Helsinki listings falls between €1,200 and €2,400 (about $1,300 to $2,600 USD), with studios and poorly optimized listings at the lower end.
Top-performing Airbnb listings in Helsinki can achieve €2,800 to €3,600 per month (about $3,000 to $3,900 USD) during peak summer months, meaning annual revenue for the best properties can reach €25,000 to €30,000.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Helsinki.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Helsinki in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, typical monthly revenue for a Helsinki Airbnb runs €1,000 to €1,500 (about $1,100 to $1,650 USD) during low season and €2,400 to €3,600 (about $2,600 to $3,900 USD) during high season, representing a swing of roughly 2x to 2.5x.
Low season in Helsinki runs from January through March, when cold weather and shorter days reduce leisure tourism, while high season spans June through August, when Helsinki's mild summers, white nights, and festival calendar draw visitors from across Europe and beyond.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Helsinki in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly operating expenses for an Airbnb in Helsinki range from €550 to €1,050 (about $600 to $1,150 USD) for studios and one-bedroom apartments, and €750 to €1,400 (about $820 to $1,530 USD) for two-bedroom units or townhouses.
The single expense category representing the largest share of monthly costs in Helsinki is cleaning and turnover, typically running €40 to €80 per turnover (about $45 to $90 USD), which adds up quickly with frequent short stays.
Hosts in Helsinki should typically expect to spend 40% to 55% of gross revenue on operating expenses, including cleaning, utilities, internet, platform fees, consumables, insurance, and minor maintenance.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Helsinki.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Helsinki in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly net profit for a Helsinki Airbnb before income tax is approximately €700 to €1,200 (about $760 to $1,310 USD), translating to roughly €23 to €40 (about $25 to $44 USD) profit per available night.
The realistic monthly net profit range covering most Helsinki listings falls between €400 and €1,400 (about $435 to $1,530 USD) after operating expenses but before income tax, depending on property size, location, and operational efficiency.
Hosts in Helsinki typically achieve net profit margins of 35% to 55% of gross revenue after operating expenses, though income tax at 30% (or 34% above €30,000) on capital income further reduces take-home profit.
The break-even occupancy rate for a typical Helsinki Airbnb listing is approximately 35% to 45%, meaning you need to book roughly 11 to 14 nights per month just to cover operating expenses before profit.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Helsinki, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.
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How competitive is Airbnb in Helsinki as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Helsinki as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, there are approximately 4,700 to 5,000 active short-term rental listings in Helsinki across Airbnb and other platforms, with Airbnb accounting for about 94% of the market.
This represents roughly an 8% increase compared to the previous year, continuing a multi-year growth trend, and short-term rental bed capacity in Helsinki grew 17% in 2024 alone to over 12,600 beds.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Helsinki as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods for Airbnb in Helsinki are Kamppi, Punavuori, Kallio, Ullanlinna, Kruununhaka, Katajanokka, and Töölö, where listing density relative to residential units is highest.
These particular neighborhoods have become so saturated because they combine walkability to central attractions, excellent tram and metro connections, Helsinki's most photogenic architecture, and the kind of "Nordic design city" aesthetic that photographs well on booking platforms.
Relatively undersaturated neighborhoods that may offer better opportunities for new hosts in Helsinki include Pasila (near Messukeskus convention center), Kalasatama and Jätkäsaari (newer waterfront developments with good transit), and Lauttasaari (island location with metro access).
What local events spike demand in Helsinki in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main local events that spike Airbnb demand in Helsinki include Slush (November, 13,000+ attendees), Helsinki Festival (late August), Vappu/May Day celebrations (late April/early May), Flow Festival (August), and major conventions at Messukeskus throughout the year.
During these peak events in Helsinki, bookings typically increase 40% to 70% above normal levels, and nightly rates can rise 30% to 50% as available inventory becomes scarce, especially in central neighborhoods.
Hosts in Helsinki should adjust pricing and availability at least four to six weeks before major events, with Slush being particularly predictable since dates are announced well in advance and business travelers book early.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Helsinki in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing Airbnb hosts in Helsinki typically achieve occupancy rates of 70% to 75%, representing a 10 to 15 percentage point premium over the market average.
By comparison, an average host in Helsinki achieves roughly 59% to 60% occupancy, while entry-level or part-time hosts may see rates as low as 27% to 40% due to suboptimal pricing, poor photos, or inconsistent availability.
It typically takes a new host in Helsinki 6 to 12 months to reach top-performer occupancy levels, assuming they actively optimize pricing, accumulate positive reviews, and maintain Superhost-quality response times and cleanliness.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Helsinki.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Helsinki right now?
The nightly price range with the highest concentration of listings in Helsinki is €80 to €120 (about $87 to $130 USD), which is dominated by one-bedroom apartments in central and semi-central neighborhoods.
The most crowded price points sit between €85 and €110 per night (about $93 to $120 USD), while "white space" opportunities exist at the premium end above €150 per night (about $165 USD) for high-quality two-bedroom units and at the budget end below €70 per night (about $76 USD) for no-frills but well-located studios.
Property characteristics that would allow a new host to successfully compete in underserved price segments include family-friendly two-bedroom layouts in good school districts, sauna access (a uniquely Finnish differentiator), design-forward interiors that photograph distinctively, or Pasila-area units targeting convention and business travelers with 30+ day stay options.
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.
What property works best for Airbnb demand in Helsinki right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Helsinki as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, one-bedroom apartments get the most bookings in Helsinki, reflecting both the dominant supply (77% of listings) and the demand profile of solo travelers, couples, and short business trips.
The estimated booking rate breakdown by bedroom count in Helsinki shows one-bedroom units capturing roughly 75% to 80% of total bookings, two-bedroom units at 12% to 17%, and three-bedroom or larger properties at 5% to 8%.
One-bedroom properties perform best in Helsinki because the city's tourism mix skews heavily toward short city breaks (two to four nights) by couples and solo travelers from Germany, the UK, the US, and other Nordic countries, who prioritize central location over space.
What property type performs best in Helsinki in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, entire-home apartments in blocks of flats perform best for Airbnb in Helsinki, accounting for 89% of listings and generating the most consistent booking volume due to their central locations and guest privacy.
Occupancy rates across property types in Helsinki show entire apartments at 60% to 72%, private rooms at 45% to 55%, and detached houses or townhouses at 50% to 65% (with higher nightly rates but more seasonal demand).
Apartments outperform other property types in Helsinki because the city's flat urban structure, excellent public transit, and concentration of attractions in a walkable core make central apartment locations far more valuable to guests than space or unique property types.
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 Helsinki, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| City of Helsinki Building Control Guidelines | It's the official position from the authority that enforces building control rules in Helsinki. | We used it to define what Helsinki considers occasional home sharing versus professional accommodation. We also referenced it for understanding where enforcement risk typically appears in inner-city housing company buildings. |
| City of Helsinki Accommodation PDF Guidance | It's a formal guidance document from Helsinki Building Control Services with specific examples. | We used it to define what triggers accommodation premises status and what permits may apply. We also extracted the practical examples of permitted home-sharing scenarios. |
| Finlex Legislation Database | It's Finland's official public legal information database owned by the Ministry of Justice. | We used it to cite the controlling national laws including the Building Act changes effective January 2026. We referenced English translations to ensure accuracy. |
| Act on Accommodation and Food Service Activities | It's the statute that defines obligations for accommodation business operations in Finland. | We used it to explain what counts as professional accommodation activity versus normal leasing. We also referenced passenger card obligations for accommodation operators. |
| Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment | It's the ministry responsible for accommodation sector policy and regulatory oversight in Finland. | We used it to cross-check obligations for accommodation operators. We avoided relying on informal third-party summaries by going to this primary source. |
| Suomi.fi Passenger Cards Guidance | Suomi.fi is Finland's official public services portal for citizens and businesses. | We used it to explain the passenger card (guest registration) concept in plain language. We translated hotel-like compliance requirements into a simple host checklist. |
| City of Helsinki Health Protection Notifications | It's the city's official how-to page for Health Protection Act compliance. | We used it to confirm that accommodation facilities are notifiable activities in Helsinki. We mapped the compliance steps if an operation crosses into accommodation premises. |
| Valvira Health Protection Guidance | Valvira is Finland's national supervisory authority for welfare and health. | We used it to validate that the Health Protection Act notification system is real, national, and enforced. We used it as a second authority check beyond Helsinki's own guidance. |
| Finnish Tax Administration (Vero) Rental Income | It's Finland's tax authority and the primary source for how rental income is taxed. | We used it to explain income tax treatment at the 30%/34% capital income brackets. We also referenced allowable deductions when estimating net profit. |
| Finnish Tax Administration VAT Rates | It's the tax authority's page for VAT rates and which services fall under them. | We used it to clarify when VAT becomes relevant for accommodation services. We explained why many casual hosts won't charge VAT. |
| Ministry of Finance Real Estate Taxation | It's the ministry responsible for Finland's tax policy framework. | We used it to explain what real estate tax is and how it applies to rental properties. We used it as a policy-level cross-check alongside Vero's practical guidance. |
| Statistics Finland Accommodation Statistics | It's Finland's official statistics agency with the core tourism demand dataset. | We used it to ground demand growth and seasonality in hard numbers. We avoided inferring demand only from platform data by using official overnight stay figures. |
| Visit Finland Monthly Tourism Pulse | Visit Finland is the national tourism organization with structured monitoring reports. | We used it to triangulate the role of short-term rentals in paid overnight stays. We sanity-checked Airbnb-only numbers against total tourism figures. |
| AirDNA Helsinki Market Overview | It's a widely used STR analytics provider with transparent methodology for platform scraping and modeling. | We used it as our single source of truth for Helsinki metrics including active listings, occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, and bedroom distribution. We cross-checked logic with official tourism stats. |
| Airbtics Helsinki Revenue Data | It's a specialized STR analytics platform tracking Airbnb performance metrics globally. | We used it to validate annual revenue figures and occupancy rates against AirDNA. We incorporated their guest origin data showing 67% international visitors. |
| City of Helsinki Tourism Records 2024 | It's the official announcement of Helsinki's record-breaking tourism year from the city government. | We used it to establish 4.55 million overnight stays in 2024 as the demand baseline. We referenced the €1.66 billion visitor spending figure. |
| Helsinki Times | It's a reliable English-language news source covering Finnish current affairs and policy changes. | We used it to track the January 2026 regulatory changes and their implementation timeline. We cross-referenced their reporting with official government sources. |
| Slush Official Website | It's the official source for Helsinki's largest annual startup conference with attendance data. | We used it to identify Slush as a major demand driver with 13,000+ attendees. We referenced November 2025 and 2026 dates for event-driven pricing guidance. |
| City of Helsinki Social Tourism Pressure Report | It's an official city analysis of short-term rental capacity and tourism impact. | We used it to establish that short-term rental bed capacity reached 12,642 in 2024 with 17% growth. We referenced the 716,370 overnight stays figure for STR platforms. |
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