🚗 Car rental in Finland in winter 2025–2026: studded tyres, heating, electric car charging and traffic rules — a comprehensive practical guide

If you want to rent a car in winter and not worry about ice or charging

The North is honest: snow, short days, sudden gusts of wind. But the roads are cleared, rental cars come with winter tyres as standard, car parks have posts with sockets for block heating, and there is a dense network of fast charging stations along the routes. This article is a practical "winter logbook" for those who are travelling to Winter, Lapland and the Northern Lights, planning assets in key cities and regions, and keeping a healthy balance in mind between transport, roads, car rental and weather realism. Inside, you'll find information about tyre laws, where and how to warm up your engine, how to think about EV charging at −20 °C, how to read road signs during snow removal, and where to insert "heat breaks" into your route.

Why take a car in winter: trip profiles and expectations

Family and snow/sledges. A car gives you flexibility: the children sleep in their seats, your belongings are in the boot, and you can stop wherever the light is beautiful.
Chasing the aurora. The freedom to drive 20–40 km beyond the "window of clarity" is crucial: the cloudy "cap" often breaks very close by.
Slopes and trails. Between Levi/Ylläs/Ruka/Saariselkä, a car saves time and energy; you are not dependent on infrequent transfers.
Cities and the coast. In Helsinki/Turku/Oulu, a car is not a must, but if you have a busy schedule or children, a car makes the day more organised.

Be realistic: in winter, you drive slower but more calmly; plan your day in stages: road → warm break → short walk → road again. That's how the locals drive.

Tyres and the law: winter, studded, tread depth, "chains"

Winter tyres are mandatory. In Finland, a "weather norm" applies in winter: from 1 November to 31 March, winter tyres are mandatory if weather or road conditions require it. Rental cars during this period are equipped with winter tyres by default — check whether they are studded or friction (sticky).

Studded or friction tyres?

● Studded tyres are more stable on packed ice and "skating rinks" in December-January (Lapland, coast).

● Friction tyres (Scandinavian compound) are quieter and softer on dry asphalt, and are good for cities and southern regions.
In both cases, look for the 3PMSF symbol (mountain with snowflake) on the sidewall — a sign of "real winter". The minimum tread depth in winter is 3 mm, but in snow/slush it is wise to keep 5 mm or more.

When studs are permitted. Studded tyres are legal from 1 November to 31 March, as well as outside this period if conditions require it (spring ice, etc.).

Snow chains. The law only allows them on snow/ice-covered surfaces; in real life in Finland, snow chains are hardly ever needed for passenger cars: the quality of snow removal and tyres are more important.

What to ask the rental company.
— Type of tyres (studded/friction).
— Condition (date/wear), don't hesitate to ask for a photo of the tread when picking up the car.
— Availability of a brush/scraper and "−20 °C" washer fluid.
— Is the car suitable for a block heater (usually yes, the cable is in the boot).

Heating and electricity: lämmitystolppa, interior heaters, idling

Parking lots near houses/hotels often have lämmitystolppa — posts with 230 V sockets on a timer. They are for warming up the engine (and sometimes for the cabin heater), not for charging EVs.

How to use them.
— Plug in the heating cable (from the boot of the car) and set the timer for 1–2 hours before departure.
— In winter, at −15 °C and below, the engine warms up gently, the interior is warmer, and the windows defrost faster.
— Idling is limited: as a rule, usually up to 2 minutes, at temperatures ≤ −15 °C — up to 4 minutes; revving the engine in the yard is not customary and may be punishable by a fine.
— If you have a PHEV/EV, do not connect it to a Schuko heating socket (unless the location is marked as an EV charging point) — this is a different load and different rules apply.

Electric cars for hire: networks, apps, winter range, fast charging

Driving an EV in Finland in winter is no problem: the network is growing, with hubs throughout the country and several corridors of DC stations extending into Lapland. Key players: Virta (roaming), ABC-lataus (S-Group), K-Lataus (Kesko), Recharge and Tesla Supercharger (some sites are open to non-Tesla vehicles with CCS2 and payment via the app).

What to install on your phone.
— Virta (many sites + roaming).
— K-Lataus and ABC-lataus (often found at supermarkets/ABC stations — convenient to combine with coffee/WC).
— Recharge (large fast DC hubs along motorways).
— Tesla (if your model allows charging at open Superchargers: check the site in the app).

Plan for frost.
— In winter, range drops by 15–40%: keep a 25–35% cushion until the next DC point.
— Preconditioning the battery for charging via navigation speeds up reception (especially on V2/V3 corridors).
— At −20°C, charging may "think" for the first few minutes — this is normal: the system is warming up the battery.
— Try to use DC 100–150 kW+; 50 kW is acceptable, but be prepared for 30–45 minutes.
— Prices are according to the app (per hour/per kWh/per session), check the payment method in advance (card link/RFID key fob).

Renting an EV or hybrid in Lapland?
— An EV is suitable if you are prepared for "charging logistics" and have a night-time socket/AC charging point at your hotel.
— PHEVs are often optimal: part of the mileage is electric, the rest is internal combustion.
— At popular resorts (Levi/Ylläs/Ruka, Saariselkä), DC/AC charging points are already "part of everyday life" — check the map the day before.

Winter roads: speeds, visibility, deer/moose, camera-radio, habits

Speeds are reduced in winter. On motorways, 100 km/h is often introduced, on "major" roads — 80 km/h. The reduction is not a "formality": darkness and ice really "lengthen" the braking distance.

Distance and light. Keep a "northern" distance (2-3 times greater than in summer) and always have your headlights on. On empty stretches of road, do not get stuck alone in the dark: follow the "corridor of light" ahead of you at a reasonable distance.

Deer and elk. In the north, this is a reality. If you see a warning sign, slow down and scan the roadside. Antlers/reflections are visible late, and dark fur absorbs light. Hitting a herd of Sami reindeer is also an ethical/financial issue: avoid racing at dusk.

Traffic cameras and weather. Before a long drive, check traffic cameras/weather and incident reports: in winter, they can save you hours.

Small things that make a difference.
— Windscreen: if it's very dirty, wash it more often and use "−20 °C" fluid.
— Crosswinds on bridges/near water — keep both hands on the wheel.
— After washing/snow, wipe the cameras/sensors — the assistants will "come to life".

Parking and snow: night-time restrictions, signs, ropes and posts

Seasonal restrictions. In cities, there are night/day restrictions on stopping for snow removal ("so that the plough can pass"). Look at the signs on the street and in the parking apps: sometimes parking is allowed on even/odd sides on different days.

Parking spaces with posts. If you are given a space with a lämmitystolppa, consider it an advantage: the car is easier to start in the morning and the windows are clean. Timers are often set for 2 hours; set it for "early dawn".

Do not use extension cords. In Finland, it is not customary to leave "homemade" extension cords on the pavement/road: it is unsafe and prohibited.

Digging out your car is normal. After a night of snowfall, take 10-15 minutes to brush/shovel it off. Remove snow from the roof — when braking, it should not "fall" on the windscreen with a surprise.

Rental budget: insurance, deposits, additional equipment and "hidden" costs

What is usually included. Winter tyres, brush/scraper, basic CDW insurance with excess, VAT. Studded/friction tyres — no extra charge during the season, child seats — on request (it is better to book in advance).

What to clarify.
— SCDW/Zero excess: damage to the bottom/wheel arches is common in winter — ask if it is covered.
— Washer fluid/wipers/wiper blades: sometimes they ask you to return them at the "minimum hassle" level, but you can easily buy more washer fluid.
— Crossbars/roof boxes/skis: book in advance — they are in short supply in winter.
— Fuel vs EV: charging/fuel rates vary greatly — choose based on your route and the availability of charging stations at hotels.

Borders and toll roads. There are no toll roads in Finland, but travel to Norway/Sweden is subject to rental conditions (agree in advance)

Ready-made itineraries: capital → Lapland, coast, "rings" around resorts

Helsinki → Rovaniemi (overnight stay in Oulu). Day 1: departure at dawn, coffee in Oulu (short walk to Nallikari); Day 2: Rovaniemi and further on — along the "petals" to Levi/Ylläs. EV strategy: DC breaks along the way, overnight AC at the hotel.

Rovaniemi → Levi/Ylläs (sledding and fells). Short distances, snow and beauty; keep an eye out for reindeer. Immeljärvi is good for the evening in Levi, Äkäslompolo in Ylläs.

Oulu → Ruka/Kuusamo. More snow than on the coast; EV — look for DC at supermarkets/city entrances.

Helsinki → Turku/Naantali (sea and frost). Short routes, wind by the water; park a little further away and walk the last few metres — it's warmer and quieter.

Beginner mistakes — stickers

Winter road day checklist

— Warm phone (inside pocket) + power bank.
— QR documents: licence, booking, insurance → offline.
— Brush/scraper, glove liners, spare warm socks.
— Washer −20 °C and wipes for glass/cameras.
— Reflectors (heijastin) for jacket/backpack.
— For EVs: apps (Virta/ABC/K‑Lataus/Recharge/Tesla), DC node map, Type 2 cable.
— Buffer plan: +15–25 minutes for refuelling/charging/snow removal.
— Thermos/chocolate: the north loves those who take care of themselves.

Reference map: charging corridors and winter hubs (2025–2026)

A small working map with reference markers: the capital and major hubs + main winter destinations (Oulu, Rovaniemi, Levi/Ylläs, Kuusamo/Ruka, Saariselkä). The descriptions include tips on where to find DC/AC charging stations and where to warm up. Markers are landmarks; for exact locations, use the operators' apps.

Finnish winter is not about a race to see who is braver, but about rhythm: the road, a pause, warmth, headlights on the snow, and then the road again. If you are prepared — tyres, a pole, apps, a warm thermos — January becomes a pleasure rather than a trial. Share this article with those who are travelling to Finland in winter, save it for yourself and write in the comments what else to add: EV experience at −25 °C, the best "heating" in a hotel, a good route between resorts — all this makes Suomi winter easier to understand.