Arrangements for the retail sales of alcoholic beverages
The licence holder must comply with the provisions on the retail sales of alcohol in their business operations, and the staff must also be familiar with the provisions on the sales of alcoholic beverages. Among other things, the provisions prevent the consumption of alcohol by minors and the harm caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
Retail sales hour restrictions
Alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of more than 2.8 per cent may be sold at a retail outlet between 9.00 and 21.00.
If the shop is closed and new customers are not allowed in after 21.00, the sales hours provision will not be violated even if the customers in the store complete their alcohol purchases after the closing time.
If the store is open after 21.00, as a rule alcoholic beverages must not be sold after 21.00.
If it can be established with certainty that the customer took possession of the alcoholic beverages before the end of the sales hours, the beverages can be sold to the customer. For example, alcoholic beverages can be sold to customers who have joined the checkout queue at the same time before 21.00 regardless of how long it takes to serve the customers in the queue before them.
Compliance with the provisions is easier if the outlet sections and cold cabinets reserved for alcoholic beverages are closed at 21.00. Inform your customers clearly about the alcohol sales hours.
Other restrictions on retail sales
Beverages with an alcohol content of more than 1.2 per cent must not be sold to a person under the age of 18. Beverages with an alcohol content of more than 22 per cent may not be sold to persons under the age of 20.
Alcoholic beverages may not be sold to a person who is visibly intoxicated.
If there is reason to suspect that a person buying alcoholic beverages will pass them on to a person who is clearly intoxicated or under the age of 18, the beverages must not be sold to this person.
Consumption of alcohol at the retail outlet or in its immediate vicinity is prohibited. The licence holder and the staff have an obligation to ensure that the prohibition is complied with. Where necessary, the licence holder must indicate the area in which alcoholic beverages must not be consumed. For example, such areas include tables in indoor or outdoor spaces.
Alcoholic beverages may be sold only in pre-filled, sealed packaging.
Use of self-service checkouts in the sales of alcoholic beverages
Self-service checkouts can be used in the retail sales of alcoholic beverages. The age of a customer who looks young must also be checked at the self-service checkout. In addition, it must be ensured that the customer is not clearly intoxicated or is not buying beverages to pass them on to a minor or to an intoxicated person.
Notify the Finnish Supervisory Agency of a change to your operations before introducing self-service checkouts into use. The Agency approves the sales arrangements at self-service checkouts on a case-by-case basis and determines the licence terms applicable to them.
Matters to be taken into account in the pricing of alcohol
You cannot give joint discounts on alcoholic beverages. Two or more alcohol packages must not be offered at a discounted total price. The price of an alcoholic beverage purchased individually must not be higher than the price of a similar beverage in a multi-package.
You may advertise the discounted prices of alcoholic beverages that are valid for less than two months only inside the retail outlet. Short-term discounted prices must also not be advertised, for example, in newspapers or online publications.
Ordering alcoholic beverages from a retail outlet
The holder of the retail trade licence can also accept orders and payments for alcoholic beverages in an online shop. However, alcoholic beverages ordered by the customer may be delivered only indoors at the retail outlet from 9:00 to 21:00.
Before starting order and pick-up activities, a notification on the matter must be submitted to the Finnish Supervisory Agency.
The licence holder cannot deliver alcoholic beverages to their customer's home themselves or give them to be transported by a courier, such as a taxi. Alcoholic beverages must be handed over to the customer at the retail outlet.
Retail sales of alcohol products
You will need a licence if you sell solid alcoholic products with an alcohol content of more than 2.8 per cent by weight, which are intended to be consumed as such or which can be rendered drinkable by separating ingredients from them or by adding liquid to them. Sales of these products must also follow the same rules as sales of alcoholic beverages in other respects.
Alcohol products with a maximum alcohol content of 8 per cent by weight that have been produced by fermentation and alcohol products with a maximum alcohol content of 5.5 per cent by weight and produced in other ways, such as chocolate confectionery or ice cream, may be sold under a retail trade licence.
Contact information
Customer service for health and social affairs
Service form
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: +358 295 256 930 (Monday–Friday 9:00–15:00)