Moving to Finland and confused about electricity contracts? You're not alone. Finland has a deregulated electricity market where you choose your own supplier. This guide explains how it works, which contract type suits you, and how to save money on your electricity bill.
Your electricity bill in Finland consists of three parts: energy (the electricity itself), transmission (siirto – delivering it to your home), and taxes. You can freely choose your energy supplier, but your transmission company is determined by your address and cannot be changed.
Energy is traded on the Nord Pool exchange, the Nordic electricity market. Prices are set the day before for each hour of the following day – published around 13:00–14:00 daily. This means tomorrow's prices are already known today.
💡 Key fact: The transmission fee (siirtomaksu) is typically 40–60% of your total bill and cannot be reduced by switching supplier. Focus your savings on the energy part.
Finnish electricity costs vary significantly by housing type and heating method. Below are estimates for a full year, including energy (at ~7 cnt/kWh average), transmission, and taxes.
These estimates include energy, transmission, and taxes. Actual costs depend on your contract type and usage patterns.
Log in to your current supplier's website. Note your contract type and cancellation terms. Open-ended contracts have a 2-week notice period.
Check your latest bill or ask your supplier. Average apartment: ~2,000 kWh/year. This helps you compare which contract is cheaper.
Use comparison sites: sahkovertailu.fi, vertaaensin.fi. Always compare both the margin/kWh price AND the monthly fee – a cheap kWh price can be offset by a high monthly fee.
Takes about 10 minutes. You need your Finnish personal ID (henkilötunnus) and bank authentication. Your old contract ends automatically – you don't need to cancel it separately.
No power outage, no meter change. Your new contract starts after the cancellation period. Switching is always free for the consumer.
Run dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer at night (00–06) or weekends when prices are typically lowest.
Each degree cooler saves ~5% on heating costs. Going from 22°C to 20°C can save €200–400 per winter.
A dirty air heat pump filter reduces efficiency by up to 15%. Clean filters monthly and book a service before winter.
Set your water heater to heat during the cheapest hours, typically at night. A smart plug or timer costs under €30.
Old windows and doors can lose 15–25% of heat. Replacing weatherstripping costs under €20 and saves tens of euros per winter.
LED bulbs use 80% less electricity than old incandescent bulbs. If you still have old bulbs, replace them now.
Finnish homes waste 300–500 kWh/year on standby. Smart plugs or power strips let you cut standby power easily.