Add organization

    Can a shop refuse cash in Finland?

    Cash, card-only places and your rights as a customer.

    Answered at: Checked at:

    Short answer

    Yes, it can. Cash is legal tender in Finland, but there is no law that obliges a business to accept it. The line of the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority is that a business that does not take cash must tell customers before the purchase, for example with a sign at the door or the till.

    Practical: communication, money, services

    Why

    1. A KKV lawyer told Verkkouutiset that no law obliges shops to accept cash.
    2. The Consumer Ombudsman expects card-only businesses to inform customers in advance.
    3. Finance Finland says more than 80% of points of sale in Finland still accept cash.

    Details

    Finance Finland reports that more than 80% of points of sale still accept cash, so card-only places are the exception rather than the rule.

    Tip

    Carry a card for everyday use and a little cash for markets or places that ask for it.

    What may differ

    Rules for public authorities differ from those for shops. Ask the service in question if you need to pay in cash.

    Common misconception

    Cash is legal tender, so every shop in Finland must accept it.

    What actually happens

    Legal tender does not oblige a shop to take cash. It must only say in advance if it does not.

    People also ask

    • Do I need cash in Finland?
    • Can you pay by card everywhere in Finland?
    • How many ATMs are there in Finland?

    Sources

    This answer is for reference only. Payment rules and fees change, so check the official sources or your bank before you pay.

    Practical: communication, money, services
    Help