Opel Club Finland (OCF)

When do you have to change to winter tyres in Finland (and Sweden)? Is there a specific date, or is it just when it starts snowing?

Just need to start making plans for when we move over there - if I'm going to be driving from UK, across Sweden and into Finland.

In Finland you have to have winter tyres for 3 months (December-February) says the law. Don't know about Sweden though.

And it's enough if there is a M+S (mud + snow) marking on the tyre wall, then the tyres are qualified as winter tyres.

also, What is involved in registering a British/Foreign car in Finland?

How long can you keep it, before you have to register it?
How much does it cost to register?
any other details...?

The Finnish Vehicle Administration says following about registration:

First registration

Requirements
First registration of the vehicle requires:

* presentation of documentation on any taxes or fees related to the vehicle’s import, manufacture or transfer
* previous registration certificate is handed over when a vehicle has been previously registered in a country that is part of the European Economic Area. Both parts of a two part registration certificate are required if the previous certificate meets the requirements of Directive on registration certificates (1999/37/EC)
* presentation of duly written documentation of the vehicle’s proprietary rights
* that the vehicle is marked with a frame number granted by the manufacturer, relevant authority or inspection station
* that an automotive insurance policy has been taken out for the vehicle
* that the proper prior notice of registration or registration inspection has been made for the vehicle, or it has been granted a type registration for this purpose
* about a vehicle is informed, where appropriate, to be recorded on the vehicle register the data as meant in Chapter 3 Government decree on vehicle traffic register (1116/2003).

Taxes or fees resulting from the import, manufacture or transfer of vehicles pre-applied for registration are not required for presentation.


First registration of vehicle imported by a private person
If a vehicle is imported from abroad for operation in Finland, it will require the following documents for the first vehicle registration:

* certificate of inspection
* Customs registration permit
* Customs certificate, if the vehicle is imported from a non-EU country
* registration certificate if the vehicle has previously been registered in a country that is part of the European Economic Area
* automotive insurance
* proprietary history beginning with the last foreign owner

If the vehicle is imported in connection with the owner’s move to Finland, a written vehicle tax ruling made by Finnish Customs will be required for registration. The temporary vehicle registration (or a copy of it) must be presented for first registration of an export-registered vehicle.

You can get more information about the clarifications needed in connection with registration inspection from MOT test stations. You can find basic information about registration inspection also on AKE's websites.

Finnish Customs serves as the vehicle tax authority for all taxes levied prior to first registration. Customs can provide information on vehicle import, taxation and tax-free vehicle operation in Finland.

I hope this helps.. Here's link to the FVA website http://www.ake.fi/AKE_EN/

You can also find documents about that from the web pages of Finnish Customs:

http://www.tulli.fi/en/02_Publications/ ... /index.jsp

-Temporary Use of Vehicle in Finland
-Importation of Personal and Household Effects and Private Motor Vehicles as Removal Goods into Finland
-Importation of Used Motor Vehicles into Finland

are the most important documents you should read.