Saunas closer than you think!

Finland has an estimated 3,3 million saunas for about 5,5 million inhabitants (UNESCO nomination file). Finnish sauna culture has been on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2020.

The single adult fee is typically about 8–29 € (checked 10/2026): for example Rajaportti sauna 8 €, Kotiharju sauna 16 €, Allas Sea Pool 19 € on weekdays and Löyly 29 € for two hours. Helsinki's Sompasauna is free of charge.

Finland's oldest public sauna still in operation is Rajaportti sauna in Pispala, Tampere; the building dates from 1915. A mixed adult sauna session costs 8 €.

Finnish Sauna Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of June, in 2027 on Saturday 12.6.2027. It is a voluntary flag day, and public saunas arrange special programmes on that day.

No. Rauhaniemi public bath in Tampere is closed for renovation from April 2026 to March 2027. Suitable alternatives include Kaupinoja sauna or Rajaportti sauna.

According to the City of Vantaa, the electric saunas are closed during the renovation, 6.7.–30.11.2026. Four smoke saunas are open daily, the large smoke saunas 14–20.30.

According to the Helsinki Rescue Department, there are about 400 sauna fires a year in Finland, in which from a few to nearly ten people die (2023). Common causes are items left on or near the stove and laundry left to dry.

For example, Rauhaniemi public bath in Tampere has had about 150 000 customers a year (City of Tampere 2026). The cost estimate for the bath's major renovation is 2,875 million euros.

General rate 25.5%. In advance ruling KVL:042/2018 the Central Tax Board held that the sauna entrance fee and the room hire of a private sauna are neither cultural nor sports services, so the general tax rate applies to them. The Supreme Administrative Court did not change the ruling in 2019.

A notification of a sauna open to the public must be made to the municipal health protection authority at least 30 days before starting operations (Health Protection Act, section 13). You also need the usual business registrations, and you must register for VAT when turnover exceeds €20,000 in a calendar year.

A sauna evening arranged for customers is usually entertainment: 50 % is deducted in income taxation, and VAT cannot be deducted. An ordinary sauna evening arranged for the whole staff is staff recreation, and its costs are deductible.

Restaurant and catering services are in the 13.5 % tax rate as of 1.1.2026, alcoholic beverages in the 25.5 % rate. The sauna fee is in the 25.5 % rate, so itemise sales at the till and on the invoice.