Transport & Logistics

If you operate a pleasure boat harbour that does not require an environmental permit, you must notify the municipal environmental protection authority. An environmental permit is required only for ports primarily intended for commercial shipping and suitable for vessels over 1,350 tonnes. Smaller marinas and pleasure boat harbours fall under the notification procedure instead.The notification must include a waste management plan covering how boat waste, sewage and hazardous materials are collected and handled. The waste management plan must be updated and resubmitted for approval every five years, or sooner if the volume or type of waste changes significantly. The notification should be submitted well in advance before commencing harbour operations.

Issued by: Municipal environmental protection authority

A permit from the municipal environmental authority is required to organize motor vehicle competitions or practices in terrain that cause disruption to nature, residents, and recreational activities. Terrain is an area not intended for traffic, and motorized vehicles may not be driven there without the landowner's permission.A permit must be applied for if motor vehicle competitions or practices are organized regularly in terrain, or if an individual event is expected to cause significant disruption to nature, residents, general recreational use, or fishing. A permit is not required if the area already has an environmental permit or if the purpose of the area according to the town plan is specifically for motor vehicle use.

Issued by: Municipal environmental authority

The professional rental operation of shared bicycles, light electric vehicles, and motor-assisted bicycles is subject to licensing. A micromobility licence is not required for operators who rent vehicles for personal long-term use as a leasing service or rent light electric vehicles from a brick-and-mortar shop, for example for tourists' daily use.A licence must be applied for from the municipality in whose area the rental operation takes place. The municipality grants a licence to a service provider whose licence has not been revoked in the past year, who has provided sufficient information, and whose responsible person has not been prohibited from carrying on a business. The municipality supervises compliance with licence conditions.

Issued by: Municipality

Competitions and practices carried out with motorboats or other motorized watercraft generally require a permit from the municipal environmental authority. If the event takes place in multiple municipalities, the Finnish Supervisory Agency (LVV) processes the permit application.A permit must be applied for if the event is recurring or regular. A permit must also be applied for a single event if it is expected to cause significant disruption to nature, the environment, residents, general recreational use, or fishing. A permit under the Waterborne Traffic Act is not required if the activity already has an environmental permit or if the purpose of the area according to the plan is specifically for such activity.

Issued by: Municipal environmental authority or Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency