Off-road traffic permit for foreign citizens
Off-road permit applications for foreign citizens are intended for persons who cannot use strong identification.
Snowmobiling off-track and operating other automotive vehicles on state-owned lands is generally prohibited. There are certain exceptions where you may apply to Metsähallitus for a separate off-road traffic permit for a justifiable need. Such permits are always handled on a case-by-case basis.
Summer off-road traffic is more restricted than winter off-road traffic due to the damage caused, whose impact may be visible for years or even decades. Summer off-road traffic is only permitted under special circumstances, such as in reindeer husbandry work in Northern Lapland and, in certain exceptions, for other purposes.
Permits are generally not issued for nature reserves because the use of off-road vehicles conflicts with the conservation objectives of the reserves.
However, permits are not required for local reindeer husbandry or government activities, such as the maintenance of protected areas, supervision, police operations or border surveillance.
Metsähallitus has made a decision on regional quotas for off-road traffic permits for state-owned land managed by Metsähallitus. The permit quotas apply to both snowmobile tracks and areas outside the tracks.
Decision price
Means-tested permits always require processing and are considered on a case-by-case basis. Permits, including rejected permits, are administrative decisions subject to a fee. The payment for the off-road permit is collected by Metsähallitus after the application has been processed. Permits are processed within 10–15 working days.
Personal off-road traffic permit €50
Off-road traffic permit applying to several individuals €50/driver
When companies (excluding safari companies operating as Metsähallitus’s partners), clubs, communities or educational and research institutes apply for an off-road traffic permit for their personnel or the participants of an event they organise, the price of the processing of the off-road traffic permit decision is determined by the number of vehicles to be used. The price is €50/vehicle if the drivers’ municipalities of residence are not known.
Permit decisions in the driver’s municipality of residence are always free of charge
Metsähallitus may require more extensive explanatory documents or legal consideration for some off-road traffic permits. Examples include the processing of permits requiring a new policy in principle. If the permit decision requires demanding considerations from Metsähallitus, a double price will be charged for the permit decision