---
title: "Uber is Back in Finland Thanks to Deregulation"
description: "Uber resumed ride-hailing operations in Finland following the enactment of new legislation that lessened previous restrictions."
date: "2018-07-05"
modified: "2018-07-05"
authors:
  - name: "Stephen Edelstein"
    job_title: "Weekend Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/stephen-edelstein"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/tech/21959/uber-is-back-in-finland-thanks-to-deregulation"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Finland"
  - "regulations"
  - "ride-hailing"
  - "Tech"
  - "Uber"
---

# Uber is Back in Finland Thanks to Deregulation

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/06/ap_17061033266885.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Uber is restarting ride-hailing operations in Finland after a one-year hiatus, thanks to changes in the country's transportation regulations, reports [*Reuters*](<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-uber-finland/uber-returns-to-finnish-roads-after-taxi-market-deregulation-idUSKBN1JU1SM>). It's a major victory for Uber, which has [come under increased pressure](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/17107/eu-court-rules-that-uber-must-follow-the-same-rules-as-taxi-companies>) from regulators and taxi drivers in Europe.

Finland previously allowed Uber to operate within its borders only if drivers held valid taxi licenses, something that isn't required in many other countries. But Uber still became the target of police investigations, and drivers were forced to give up their earnings to the state for not having the proper permits, according to *Reuters*.

This situation led Uber to cease operations in Finland last year, but the company is back thanks to new, less-strict regulations that took effect July 1. The new rules removed a cap on the number of taxi licenses the government issues annually and removed restrictions on fares.

Uber relaunched its UberX and UberBlack services in Finland on the afternoon of July 4 in the capital of Helsinki, as well as Espoo, Vantaa, and Kaunianen. More than a quarter million people in the Helsinki area have opened the Uber app since August, despite ride-hailing services not being available, Joel Jarvinen, Uber Nordics general manager, said in an interview with *Reuters*.

Uber also recently [regained its license to operate in London](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/21802/uber-wins-court-approval-to-continue-operating-in-london>), but only by agreeing to be on probation for 15 months. The company has fought a [country-by-country battle](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/19911/uber-to-suspend-ride-hailing-service-in-greece-due-to-stricter-regulations>) in Europe, where it faces much greater scrutiny from regulators than in the United States, as well as [vocal groups of taxi drivers](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/10787/spanish-taxi-drivers-striking-against-uber>), who believe Uber represents unfair competition.

## Author
Stephen has always been passionate about cars, and managed to turn that passion into a career as a freelance automotive journalist. When he's not handling weekend coverage for The Drive, you can find him looking for a new book to read.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/SAEdelstein>)