Åland is an autonomous, demilitarised, Swedish-speaking region of Finland in the Baltic Sea, halfway between Stockholm and the Finnish mainland. Of its roughly 6,700 named islands, around 60 are inhabited, and Mariehamn is the only town. As part of Finland and the EU, Åland is covered by Roam Like at Home, so an EU SIM works on the islands just as it does at home. UK and other non-EU SIMs follow their operator's own terms, and Telcomia sells plans for Åland itself rather than folding it into a regional plan.
Key facts for Åland
- EU roaming: covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: varies by plan
- Emergency numbers: 112 for the police, the fire service, an ambulance or sea rescue
- Embassies: none on the islands; British consular help comes from the embassy in Helsinki
An island region with its own rules
Åland has its own parliament and government, its own flag, stamps and car number plates, and its own internet domain, .ax. Swedish is the only official language, and 9 June, the anniversary of the first session of the Åland parliament in 1922, is celebrated as the islands' day. The currency is the euro. Some traffic rules differ from those on the Finnish mainland: for example, you may not park facing against the direction of traffic. Car parks in Mariehamn have time limits of between 30 minutes and 4 hours, so display a parking disc, sold at petrol stations and shops, or a handwritten note of the time you arrived.
Arriving by sea or air
Ferries dock at one of three ports on the main island. Mariehamn's western harbour puts hotels and restaurants within walking distance; Långnäs lies about 30 km from town, and as some ferries arrive there late in the evening or at night, book a taxi or transfer in advance; Eckerö, in the west, receives ferries from Grisslehamn in Sweden, the shortest crossing, with a bus to Mariehamn after every arrival. Overnight ferries from Helsinki call at Mariehamn early in the morning, and ferries between Tallinn and Stockholm stop there too. Flights come from Stockholm Arlanda, Helsinki and Turku. In summer, from June to August, book vehicle space early. Citizens of the Nordic and Schengen countries need only a valid ID card; everyone else should check the visa rules for Finland, which also apply in Åland.
The tax border
Although Åland belongs to the EU, it sits outside the EU's VAT and excise area, behind a tax border. In practice, parcels sent between Åland and mainland Finland must be declared to Finnish Customs, and taxes may be due, so ask before posting souvenirs home. If you carry alcohol or tobacco onward, check the customs allowances for your next stop.
Buses, archipelago ferries and bikes
Five bus lines run from the main bus station next to the library in Mariehamn to the rest of the main island, with fewer services in the evenings and at weekends. Beyond the roads, the archipelago ferries of Ålandstrafiken link the main island with the outer municipalities and on to mainland Finland; foot passengers travel without paying, while bicycles, cars and caravans are charged. The smallest islands can only be reached by your own boat or a taxi boat. A bicycle ferry between Hammarland and Geta runs in June, July and August, joining up the cycle tracks, and taxis wait at the airport when flights land.
Phones at sea, ticks and healthcare
On a ferry, your phone uses land networks near the coast, but when a ship provides mobile service by satellite, EU roaming rules no longer apply and charges are unregulated, so the EU advises switching roaming off or using flight mode on board. Sailors should keep to the official fairways marked on nautical charts so the Coast Guard can locate them in an emergency. Ticks are among the health risks in Finland, so check your skin after walking through grass or woodland. As in the rest of Finland, a European Health Insurance Card, or the UK's GHIC, gives access to medically necessary state healthcare, but it does not replace travel insurance.
Getting connected
With an EU SIM: nothing changes on land, because Åland is covered just like the rest of Finland. Switch roaming off once you are on board a ferry at sea.
With a SIM from outside the EU: add a travel eSIM before you leave. Åland has its own plans, which run on 4G, and it is not included in Telcomia's regional plans, so a trip that also takes in mainland Finland or Sweden needs a separate plan for those legs. Keep your usual SIM for bank verification texts, with data roaming off.
Consular protection: who to call in Åland
- Call 112 for the police, the fire service, an ambulance or sea rescue.
- There are no embassies on the islands. British nationals are assisted by the British Embassy in Helsinki, and other visitors by their own embassy or consulate in Finland.
- Use the Telcomia app to find the mission that covers Finland for your passport, and save its phone number before the crossing.
- Swedish is the official language of Åland.
Questions travellers ask about Åland
Will my EU SIM work in Åland?
Yes, as at home: Åland is part of Finland and the EU and is covered by Roam Like at Home. On board ferries, beware of satellite networks, which are charged separately.
Do I need a passport for Åland?
Citizens of the Nordic and Schengen countries need only a valid ID card. Other travellers should check Finland's visa rules, which apply in Åland too.
Which network does a Telcomia eSIM use in Åland?
It depends on the plan; the Åland plans run on 4G.
Does a Europe plan cover Åland?
No. Åland is not part of Telcomia's regional plans, so you need an Åland plan for the islands and another plan for the mainland.
The short version
Bring your EHIC or GHIC and an ID card, install an Åland plan if your SIM is from outside the EU, switch roaming off on board ferries, book a taxi if you land at Långnäs late, display a parking disc in Mariehamn, check for ticks after walks, and save 112.
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