eFoil regulations & spots in Finland

Finland has no rule that names eFoils. The Water Traffic Act (vesiliikennelaki 782/2019, in force since 1 June 2020) applies to every vesikulkuneuvo, and Traficom, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency, states that a water scooter is a watercraft bound by the same rules as every other water user; an electric hydrofoil board is handled the same way in practice. Traficom is the licensing, registration and supervisory authority; police and the Border Guard enforce on the water.

No licence is required. Registration in Traficom's watercraft register is compulsory only when the hull is at least 5.5 m long or the manufacturer-rated motor power is at least 15 kW (over 20 hp); Traficom notes the duty also covers 'other powered craft such as water scooters', so a board rated at 15 kW or more would need registering while the typical lower-powered board does not. The statutory minimum age of 15 applies only to craft that must be registered or exceed 15 kW; below that threshold the law sets no age. A motorised craft must carry a correctly sized flotation device for every person aboard, and Traficom's advice to water-scooter riders is simply to wear a lifejacket - on a board that is the only practical way to comply. Every craft has a päällikkö (master) who answers for its safe handling and must know the give-way rules and sea marks. Equipment and speed offences are dealt with by fixed traffic-violation fees (liikennevirhemaksu). Insurance is not mandatory.

There is no national numeric speed limit on open water; locally signposted limits are binding. Traficom tells water-scooter riders to avoid fast riding in harbour areas and close to shores, not to throw unnecessary wake near moored boats or beaches, to keep a sufficient distance from other users and swimmers, and to avoid disturbing nature and bird-nesting areas. The Act also allows water-scooter access to lock canals to be restricted or banned on safety grounds. National parks and other protected areas carry their own access rules; check the managing authority (Metsähallitus) before launching inside one.

Enforcement is by police and Border Guard patrols, with fixed fees for equipment and speed breaches; there is little regional variation because the Act is national, though municipalities and harbours set local limits. Check the board's rated motor power against the 15 kW line, wear a lifejacket, keep clear of swimming beaches, harbours and nesting islands, and ride in daylight. Finnish boating guides confirm that no eFoil-specific provision exists, so confirm any doubtful case with Traficom.