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Everyman's right

Introduction

Finland's legal concept of everyman's right gives everyone the chance to enjoy outdoor pursuits, and the freedom of the country's vast forests and fells, and many lakes and rivers, with few restrictions. Public access to private land is much wider in Finland, and the other Nordic countries, than in most other countries. Nature is often fragile, however, and especially here in the North can be slow to recover from damage. With the freedom to enjoy the countryside comes the obligation to leave the environment undisturbed and preserve Finland's rich natural heritage for future generations to enjoy.

What is everyman's right?

The age-old concept of everyman's right gives everyone the basic right to roam freely in the countryside, without needing to obtain permission, no matter who owns or occupies the land. In the sparsely populated Nordic countries everyman's right has evolved over the centuries from a largely unwritten code of practice to become a fundamental legal right. Everyman's right does not, however, cover activities which damage the environment or disturb others.

Out and about

Everyone is basically entitled to walk, ski, cycle or ride freely in the countryside, as long as this causes no harm to property or nature. This right is limited in cultivated fields and plantations, and around people's homes. In summer, walkers must go around fields, or follow tracks or ditches to cross them, but during the winter skiers are free to cross fields. Gates must always be left closed.

Everyman's right does not cover gardens or the immediate vicinity of people's homes, where there is no public right of way. Using someone's yard or garden as a thoroughfare repeatedly is punishable by law, as is disturbing the privacy of people's homes while on their land. Building on someone else's property, and digging to the extent that the appearance of the land is disturbed, are also prohibited. There is no public right of way for walkers through fields and plantations which could easily be damaged. Everyman's right is also restricted in protected areas such as nature reserves. Sensitive areas, such as certain lakes, bays and islands where many birds breed, must be avoided during the nesting season. Right of way may only be limited by official prohibition enforced by the public authorities. Signs around restricted areas normally name the authority concerned, often the provincial administrators, the regional environment centre or the Ministry of Defence.

Everyman's right: a practical summary

This list summarises the rights and responsibilities of both Finnish and foreign citizens in the Finnish countryside under everyman's right.

You may

• walk, ski or cycle freely in the countryside, except in gardens and the immediate vicinity of people's homes, and in fields and plantations which could easily be damaged.
• stay or set up camp temporarily in the countryside, at a reasonable distance from homes.
• pick wild berries, mushrooms and flowers, as long as they are not protected species.
• fish with a rod and line.
• row, sail, use a motorboat, swim or wash in inland waters and the sea.
• walk, ski, drive a motor vehicle or fish on frozen lakes, rivers and the sea.

You may not

• disturb people or damage property.
• disturb breeding birds, their nests or young.
• disturb reindeer or game.
• cut down, damage, or break branches off trees on other people's property.
• collect moss, lichen or fallen trees from other people's property.
• light open fires on other people's property, except in an emergency.
• disturb the privacy of people's homes, by camping too near them, or making too much noise, for example.
• drop or leave litter.
• drive motor vehicles off road without the landowner's permission.
• fish or hunt without the relevant permits.

Source: The Finnish Ministry of the Environment Helsinki, February 1999

More information:
www.ymparisto.fi/default.asp?contentid=108391&lan=FI&clan=en
and www.ymparisto.fi/download.asp?contentid=25603&lan=en