No, producing moonshine at home in Finland is illegal under the Alcohol Act (Alkoholilaki 1102/2017), which prohibits unlicensed distillation of spirits. The Finnish Customs (Tulli) and the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) enforce strict penalties, including fines up to €5,000 and potential criminal charges for repeat offenses. Recent 2026 amendments to the Act have tightened oversight, requiring home brewers to register distillation equipment with local authorities if permitted under exceptional licenses.
Key Regulations for Making Moonshine at Home in Finland
- Licensing Requirement: Home distillation is only permitted under a home distillation license (kotipolttoöljylupa), issued by Valvira, which mandates equipment inspection and compliance with safety standards. Unlicensed production remains a criminal offense under §17 of the Alcohol Act.
- Alcohol Content Limits: Any distilled spirit exceeding 12% ABV must be registered with Finnish Customs, and home-produced batches must adhere to EU excise duty exemptions for small-scale producers (max 10 liters/year per household).
- Equipment Restrictions: The use of traditional pot stills without Valvira-approved modifications is prohibited. Customs maintains a banned equipment list, updated quarterly, to curb unauthorized production.