FINLAND | MIKKO LAAKSO 151 There is no legislation covering the short-term accommodation offered by a private person through an internet platform like AirBnb. A tenant cannot usually sublet his/her rental apartment without landlords approvement. An owner of the apartment is free to offer an apartment for short-term accommodation but cannot operate it in a professional fashion if one is not complying with the legislation referred to in the previous chapter. As there is no specific legislation on this, the line between occasional and professional letting is thin at best. 2.3. Eating and drinking The restaurant business is one of the most regulated sectors in Finland. Although restaurant hygiene regulations and standards are mostly on par with other Western European countries, alcohol regulations remain extremely tight. To establish a new restaurant, one needs a building permit to remodel an existing location or build a new one. There are detailed requirements regarding the ventilation, safety, cleaning, and the noise level at the premises all of which must be adhered to. Almost every aspect of selling and serving alcohol beverages in Finland is regulated through the Act on Alcohol5. All businesses selling and/or serving alcohol in their premises need to apply for a permit from the Regional State Administrative Agency. Selling out any beverages over 5,5% ABV is strictly limited to national monopoly company Alko Oy. The only exceptions to this rule are the breweries and vineries who are allowed to sell their products up to 12% ABV and 13% ABV respectively to consumers if they are produced at the premises. It is not allowed to sell or serve alcohol until 9 am and retail of alcohol halts at 9 pm while serving in restaurants is allowed until 1:30 am. Bars and night clubs are required to apply for a separate permit to serve alcohol until 4 am. 5 Alkoholilaki (28.12.2017/1102)
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