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Finland’s Alcohol Law Reform Introduces Alcohol Home Delivery – Is Your Business Ready?

2 hours ago
3 min read

Finland’s alcohol law reform marks a historic change in the sale of alcoholic beverages: home delivery. The reform opens up significant new business opportunities for grocery stores, restaurants, online retailers, and logistics and transport companies. It also introduces entirely new legal obligations that businesses should prepare for well in advance.


Have you made sure that your business operations and staff qualifications meet the strict requirements of the new law?

Alcohol Home Deliveries start in 2027 is your business ready

What does the alcohol law reform mean in practice?

Under the reform, grocery stores, restaurants, retail outlets and online retailers will be able to sell and deliver alcoholic beverages directly to customers. Delivery will, however, be governed by strict legal requirements:

A new licence for delivering alcoholic beverages

Home delivery and other deliveries of alcoholic beverages require a delivery licence issued by the authorities and an approved self-monitoring plan. Deliveries must not begin without a valid licence.

Strict delivery times and locations

Alcoholic beverages may only be handed over to customers between 9 am and 9 pm. The law also specifies locations where alcohol must not be delivered, such as schools, daycare centres, playgrounds and public events.

Mandatory age and intoxication checks

Just as in a shop or restaurant, alcohol must not be handed over to anyone who is underage or intoxicated. The driver is responsible for carrying out these checks at the point of handover.

A legal requirement: an Alcohol Delivery Passport for every driver

The most significant change affecting delivery operations is the mandatory Alcohol Delivery Passport. Anyone who hands alcoholic beverages over to a customer as part of a home delivery or other delivery must have passed the Alcohol Delivery Passport test.

This requirement applies to stores’ own drivers, food delivery couriers and drivers working for outsourced logistics companies alike. Similar to the Alcohol Passport used in the restaurant industry or the Age Limit Passport used in retail, the Alcohol Delivery Passport demonstrates that the driver understands the legislation, permitted delivery times and age verification principles, and knows how to handle potential problems at the customer’s door.

The risk of financial penalties

Compliance will be monitored through measures such as test purchases carried out by the authorities. If a company’s driver delivers alcohol without a valid Alcohol Delivery Passport or breaches the handover rules, the delivery licence holder may face substantial financial penalties. In the most serious cases, failures in supervision may lead to the temporary or permanent revocation of the delivery licence.

How can your business prepare in advance?

As home deliveries begin, speed and convenience will be key. Customers expect a seamless service, while the authorities require full compliance with the law. Businesses should take action before deliveries begin:

  • Identify which employees or subcontractors will transport and hand over alcoholic beverages.

  • Make sure your company’s self-monitoring plan covers the specific requirements of home delivery.

  • Ensure that all drivers have passed the Alcohol Delivery Passport test before their first day of deliveries.

Through our service, your drivers will soon be able to study the relevant legislation and take the Alcohol Delivery Passport test. This helps you ensure that your business complies with the law and provides customers with a safe, professional home delivery service.

Would you like to train your team or learn more about our business packages? Find out more here!



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