SAFETY

Helsinki is generally a safe city to live in, visit, and move around in at any time of the day or night, especially when compared to any city of a similar size worldwide.

Normal caution is always advised in large crowds and busy areas in Helsinki. It’s wise to keep valuables in a secure place to avoid giving pickpockets an easy opportunity.

According to regular surveys conducted among both residents and visitors, people feel safe in Helsinki. (Helsinki Safety Survey 2024, City of Helsinki Facts, Helsinki Visitor Experience Survey.)

Helsinki has been recognized among the top three cities in Europe for accessibility in 2022 and for inclusivity & diversity in 2023. (European Commission 2022 & EU Diversity 2023.) The City Strategy of Helsinki for 2021–2025 states that Helsinki should be a city where people can express themselves, create opportunities, and seize them. The Helsinki way of life is based on openness and the freedom for citizens to be themselves and feel free. According to the Helsinki Visitor Experience Survey, 75% of respondents consider Helsinki a safe destination, and 65% view it as an accessible and inclusive city.

Tap water in Helsinki is clean and safe to drink straight from the tap. Food hygiene is of a very high standard and continuously monitored by authorities in restaurants, cafés, and at events.

The geopolitical situation of Helsinki and Finland is stable, and both the city and the country are well prepared for various types of exceptional situations.

INFORMATION CONCERNING PICKPOCKETING FOR TOURISTS

• Pickpockets have been targeting victims in Helsinki's city centre

• Pickpockets often operate in popular tourist areas such as Helsinki Cathedral, Uspenski Cathedral, Market Square, Aleksanterinkatu Street, Temppeliaukio Church, and the Sibelius Monument

• Victims are most often tourists

• The perpetrators are professionals who act discreetly and often work in teams

• Stay alert when carrying valuables in the city—cash is a primary target for pickpockets

• Keep your wallet, purse and other valuables in a secure place to prevent theft

• Don't keep valuables in a backpack that you're carrying on your back or in the back pocket of your trousers

• Perpetrators often throw stolen wallets and cards into a nearby litter bin after taking any cash

What to do if you are a victim of pickpocketing:

In the event of a sudden pickpocketing incident: call the emergency response center on 112

You can also file a police report at:
Helsinki Main Police Station
Police matters
Address: Pasilanraitio 13
Open: Mon-Fri 8-16.15 and Sat-Sun 8-16

Theft should always be reported to the police. The sooner they receive information about a suspected crime, the more likely they are to track down the perpetrators and intervene.

USING TAXIS SAFELY IN HELSINKI

Read our article How to use taxis in Helsinki for more information.

Recommended taxi companies:

Menevä, tel. + 358 800 02120

Taksi Helsinki, tel. + 358 100 0700

Airport Taxi Yellow Line, tel + 358 600 555 555

Kovanen, tel. + 358 200 6060

Lähitaksi, tel. + 358 100 7300

FixuTaxi, tel. + 358 100 6060