Finland’s Ministry of Transport and Communications proposed on Wednesday introducing congestion charges in major urban areas and reforming vehicle taxation to address a growing funding gap for road maintenance.
The ministry’s policy paper, released ahead of the 2027 government term, calls for congestion fees in Helsinki and potentially Tampere, with officials estimating such charges could generate €100 million annually. Olli-Pekka Rantala, a department head at the ministry, described the overhaul as a “substantial undertaking” to stabilize transport financing, according to a ministry briefing .
The proposal also seeks to shift vehicle taxes from emissions-based to road maintenance cost-based, ensuring funding as electric vehicle adoption erodes traditional tax revenue. The ministry noted Finland’s road maintenance backlog stands at €4.3 billion, with current transport tax revenues failing to cover costs. Under the reform, electric vehicle owners would likely see higher taxes, as the new system would be “fuel-neutral,” according to ministry officials .
Niko-Matti Ronikonmäki, a unit director at the ministry, cited Stockholm’s congestion charge model—where cameras track license plates and drivers pay a few euros to enter the city center—as a potential template. The ministry emphasized that congestion fees would require cooperation with urban regions on revenue use, while also urging prioritization of existing road maintenance over new infrastructure projects .
