Finland bathing water quality continues to rank high across Europe, with a strong majority of locations meeting the top safety standards. The latest results from the European Environment Agency (EEA) for the 2021 to 2024 seasons show that most beaches and inland swimming areas in Finland remain clean and safe for the public.
According to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), 93 percent of Finland’s official bathing waters were classified as either excellent or good. This is a one percent decrease from the previous assessment, but still reflects a solid standard. In general, inland lakes and rivers outperformed coastal waters in cleanliness.
Out of all bathing sites surveyed, only three were rated poor, and all were located on the coast. These areas did not meet the required criteria for safe swimming due to water quality concerns.
An additional twelve sites were labeled as sufficient, which is the lowest acceptable classification. These areas are still safe to swim in but require continued monitoring. Four new bathing areas were left out of the assessment because of a lack of long-term data.
Finland came in 12th place in the EEA’s Europe-wide comparison of nearly 22,000 bathing sites. About 85.5 percent of Finnish beaches received an excellent rating. While not the highest score in Europe, the country still ranks above many others.
Cyprus and Bulgaria led the list, each boasting the largest percentage of top-rated bathing waters. These rankings are based on bacterial levels often linked to untreated wastewater or stormwater runoff.
It’s important to note that the EEA’s grading system does not include blue-green algae concentrations. In Finland, those are monitored separately by THL and regional authorities.
The European bathing water report is not just a ranking. It is used as a practical tool for public health decisions and environmental planning. It gives a clear picture of where improvements are needed and where standards are already being met.
In Finland, water quality at public beaches is tested regularly during the summer season. Results are publicly available and updated online by both local municipalities and national agencies.
The report is especially useful during hot summer months, when people flock to lakes and seashores across the country. Knowing which locations meet the highest standards helps locals and tourists choose safe swimming spots.
Finland bathing water quality remains among the best in Europe despite a small drop compared to previous years. The vast majority of sites are safe, clean, and well-managed, especially inland locations. With consistent monitoring and public access to data, Finland continues to lead by example in protecting its waters.
