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Åland is an island region located in the Baltic Sea, halfway between Sweden and Finland in Northern Europe. It is an autonomous region within the Republic of Finland, with Swedish as its only official language.
Around 30,000 people live in Åland, spread across 16 municipalities. One of them is Mariehamn, the capital and the only town, with about 12,000 inhabitants. The other municipalities are rural communities either on the main island (fasta Åland) or located in the eastern archipelago (skärgården).
Learn more about Åland’s municipalities at regeringen.ax.
Information about Åland’s municipalities from Ålands kommunförbund (information in Swedish).
See a map of all 16 municipalities in Åland, including the capital Mariehamn (Wikipedia).
Mariehamn’s map service with a base map and various options, including town districts.
Åland has been demilitarised since 1856, which means that no military forces are allowed to be stationed on the islands. Åland is also a neutral zone and must remain outside of armed conflicts.
In 1922, Åland became an autonomous region within Finland, after having been part of Sweden for several centuries. On 9 June 2022, Åland celebrated 100 years of self-government.
Åland has its own flag, postage stamps, vehicle registration plates and its own internet domain (.ax).
Åland is an autonomous region within Finland. This means that many important matters are decided locally. Åland has its own parliament (Ålands lagting) and government (Ålands landskapsregering), which manages areas like education, health care, the environment, business and local transport.
The elected parliament (Ålands lagting) enacts the laws of the province. The parliament also appoints the Government of Åland (Ålands landskapsregering), which is responsible for the general management and administration of the province.
Some matters – like foreign affairs, defence and state taxation – are managed by the Finnish state. Åland also has one representative member in in the Finnish Parliament.
Finland is a republic and a parliamentary democracy. The President of Finland is the head of state and handles foreign policy and national defence in conjunction with the government. Most political power lies with the Finnish Parliament (riksdagen) and the government (regeringen), which are elected every four years.
Åland Parliament (Ålands lagting) (in Swedish).
Government of Åland (Ålands landskapsregering).
Åland is a part of Finland, but with its own rhythm, tone and identity. Much of everyday life is shaped by Finnish customs – such as valuing honesty, personal space and being on time – but Åland also shares deep cultural roots with Sweden. Swedish is the only official language, and many Ålanders follow Swedish media, traditions and public debates.
At the same time, Åland is very much its own place. Living here means being part of a small, close-knit community with a strong local identity, shaped by the sea, the landscape and a spirit of practical independence. Things are often done in a straightforward, low-key way – and people value action over big words.
You can read more about Finnish social norms in This is Finland’s guide to customs and manners.
People may seem reserved at first, but once you’re part of the circle, you’ll find warmth, humour, and a strong sense of belonging. Getting involved in local clubs, sports groups or community events is a great way to connect.
The official language of Åland is Swedish. Unlike the rest of Finland, which is bilingual with both Finnish and Swedish as official languages, Åland is monolingual Swedish. This means that all communication within the province, as well as between Åland and Finnish authorities, takes place in Swedish. Swedish is used in schools, workplaces, and everyday public life in Åland. You can also use Swedish when dealing with public services such as FPA (Folkpensionsanstalten, Social Insurance Institution of Finland), AMS (the Åland Authority for Labour Market and Student Services), and other government authorities.
Even though standard Swedish is used in schools and official settings, the local dialect adds personality to everyday conversations. Some common expressions you might hear include:
Most Ålanders, especially younger generations, speak English, but many also can speak and understand Finnish to varying degrees.
Swedish is the official language of Åland, so learning Swedish is very useful. Medis (The Citizens’ Institute in Mariehamn) organizes courses in Swedish for newcomers (SFI).
Swedish language courses in Åland (SFI).
Information on integration training and courses at regeringen.ax.
If you want to start learning Swedish on your own before your move, you can search for digital courses and resources online:
Yle Nyheter på lätt svenska, daily news in easy-to-understand Swedish.
www.hejsvenska.se
www.uttal.se
Greetings and polite phrasesHello! – Hej!Good morning! – God morgon!Good evening! – God kväll!Bye! – Hej då!See you! – Vi ses!Thank you! – Tack!Thank you very much! – Tack så mycket!You're welcome / Here you go. – Varsågod.Excuse me. – Ursäkta mig.Sorry. – Förlåt.No problem. – Inga problem.
Questions and everyday conversationHow are you? – Hur mår du?I'm fine, thank you. – Jag mår bra, tack.What's your name? – Vad heter du?My name is [name]. – Jag heter [namn].Where are you from? – Var kommer du ifrån?I'm from [country]. – Jag kommer från [land].I speak a little Swedish. – Jag talar lite svenska.Can you speak slowly, please? – Kan du prata långsamt, tack?What does that mean? – Vad betyder det?Can you repeat that? – Kan du upprepa det?
Asking for directionsWhere is [place]? – Var ligger [plats]?How do I get to [place]? – Hur kommer jag till [plats]?To the left – Till vänsterTo the right – Till högerStraight ahead – Rakt framNext stop – Nästa hållplatsI’m lost. – Jag är vilse.
In shops or restaurantsHow much does it cost? – Hur mycket kostar det?Can I have a cup of coffee, please? – Kan jag få en kopp kaffe, tack?I would like [food/drink]. – Jag vill ha [mat/dryck].Do you have vegetarian food? – Har ni vegetarisk mat?The bill, please. – Notan, tack.
Practical phrasesI don’t understand. – Jag förstår inte.I understand. – Jag förstår.I need help. – Jag behöver hjälp.Where is there the bathroom? – Var finns toaletten?I’m new here. – Jag är ny här.Can you show me? – Kan du visa mig?
Åland is one of the sunniest places in the Nordic region and has a mild, maritime climate with four distinct seasons. One of Åland’s greatest advantages is its closeness to nature and the sea. Locals enjoy outdoor activities all year round – from swimming and island hopping in summer to peaceful seaside walks in winter.
The natural environment is rich and diverse, with red granite cliffs, heathlands, deciduous forests and large areas of coniferous woodland. Åland is also home to a wide variety of birds and a rich flora that includes several species of wild orchids.
Because Åland is an island, surrounded by the sea, winters are often milder than in surrounding areas, but still cold and dark – especially in December and January. Warm winter clothing is essential: a good coat, winter boots, gloves, a scarf, and a hat that covers your ears.
Homes and buildings are well-insulated and heated, so you’ll stay warm indoors even on the coldest days.
Åland offers a peaceful and balanced lifestyle based on Nordic values: equality, respect for nature and strong community. Life here reflects a healthy work-life balance, with space for family, nature, and well-being.
Whether you move to Åland for work, study, or a new beginning – you’ll find a safe, supportive and welcoming environment.
Åland regional citizenship, the right of domicile, regulates who can own land or real estate and conduct business in Åland. You can apply for Åland domicile if you have moved to Åland, have lived in Åland continuously for more than five years and are a Finnish citizen.
The Åland regional citizenship gives you the following rights:
Note: With the property acquisition permit (jordförvärvstillstånd) you can buy a house for permanent residence.
Buying an apartment does not usually require a permit.
You can read more about the right of domicile on the website of the Government of Åland.
Åland has its own legislation on parliamentary and municipal elections.
The same rules apply to the European Parliament, parliamentary and presidential elections as in Finland.
In practice, this means Åland residents vote in elections for the Åland Parliament, the Finnish Parliament and the European Parliament. In Åland, people also vote in municipal elections. Presidential elections are held in Finland and Åland, and the president of Finland also serves as the head of state for Åland.
In municipal elections, you may vote already after living in Åland for one year. You must also be at least 18 years old on election day.
Read more about voting rights in Åland at Info Norden.
Finland is a global leader in equality. In gender equality Finland was the first European country to grant women the right to vote and the first in the world to grant women full political rights in 1906.
Finland’s laws prohibit discrimination and promote equality in all areas of life. The Non-Discrimination Ambassador works to ensure equal rights for all, including foreign nationals. Authorities also monitor workplaces to prevent discrimination and promote gender equality.
The Åland Ombudsman's Office promotes equality, non-discrimination and the rights of children, patients, clients and consumers.
More information on elections in Åland.
Population: approx. 30,000 residents.Number of municipalities: 16 (6 of which are in the eastern archipelago).Capital: Mariehamn (approx. 12,000 residents).Official language: Swedish.Land area: approx. 1,553 km² (more than 6,700 named islands).Longest distance on the main island: approx. 50 km.Own legislation: Yes – the Åland Parliament (Lagtinget) first convened on 9 June 1922.National day: Autonomy Day is celebrated on 9 June.EU membership: Yes, since 1 January 1995, with special tax exemptions.Unemployment: Traditionally low, but can vary.Key industries: Shipping, public sector, trade and tourism, food production and construction. The tech and IT sector is growing.Public transport: Limited but well connected by archipelago ferries and buses.Internet: Almost all of Åland has access to fibre-optic broadband.
Åland is an autonomous region of Finland. It shares many key features of the Finnish welfare state while also offering services tailored to local needs and the unique island environment. The goal is to create a well-functioning society where people of all ages can enjoy a high quality of life.
Public services in Åland are delivered through cooperation between the Government of Åland and the region’s 16 municipalities. These services include for example:
The municipalities are responsible for (among other things):
Kommunernas socialtjänst (KST, the Municipal Social Services) is responsible for (among other things):
The Government of Åland is responsible for (among other things):
The Finnish state (national authorities) is responsible for (among other things):
Your access to the Finnish social security system depends on why you are living in Finland and how long you plan to stay.
If you are a permanent resident, you are usually entitled to the same benefits as Finnish citizens.
Temporary residents may have limited access.
EU citizens may retain coverage under their home country’s system.
Even if you are not eligible for full benefits, you may still have access to healthcare and certain reimbursements.
Many services are provided locally in Åland, while others come through the national Finnish system.
Taxes are the foundation of the welfare society. They fund public services such as:
Suomi.fi is a digital service platform where you can find important information and e-services from Finnish authorities. You can handle many official matters online – such as applying for permits and benefits, or finding information about taxes, social security, and healthcare.
The service is available in Swedish, Finnish, and English, and helps you navigate life in both Finnish and Åland society.
Note that not all matters can be handled online. For certain services, such as Migri matters or some tax issues, you may need to visit the State Department of Åland (Ämbetsverket) in person.
